Frequently Asked Questions – Detailed

What is Beta-1,3D Glucan?
Beta Glucan is a natural long-chain polysaccharide molecule purified from the cell walls of baker’s yeast. Beta-1,3D Glucan is an intensely purified, biologically active complex of Beta Glucans. Beta-1,3D Glucan is readily taken up and converted in the body into a form that is specific to a site on all immune cells that have a CR3 receptor, e.g. macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and NK cells. These immune cells make up a large part of the immune system’s main defense mechanism. Technically, Beta-1,3D Glucan is a poly-branched, poly-glucose complex fiber-like particle that when converted, yields a biologically active Beta Glucan that is specific to immune cell receptors CR3, mac-1, CD11/CD18.
What does Beta Glucan do?
Beta Glucan enhances the immune system by improving the immune response when the immune system is confronted with a foreign body that it sees as non-self. (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi, cancer, parasites, etc.) Beta-1,3D Glucan is an intensely purified, highly biologically active form of Beta Glucan. When absorbed and converted in the body into a form which is specific to a site on all immune cells, Beta 1,3-D glucan attaches to specific sites on all immune cells that have CR3 receptors. By attaching, or binding, to these specific sites, Beta Glucan puts these immune cells on ‘high alert’ to foreign bodies they see as non-self. This process is called immune modulation. Research shows Beta-1,3D Glucan is a highly effective immune modulator. It is easily absorbed through the Peyer’s Patches in the small intestine and converted into a form of Beta Glucan which binds to immune cell receptor sites CR3, mac-1, CD11/CD18.
Will Beta Glucan cause a yeast infection or yeast allergy, or make either worse?
No. Beta-1,3D Glucan is intensely purified from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and does not contain enough yeast proteins to cause an allergic reaction. Also, Beta Glucan is not live yeast, therefore it cannot cause or aggravate a yeast infection. Beta-1,3D Glucan is rated GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Why are baker’s yeast Beta Glucans better than other kinds of Beta Glucans?
Research shows that Beta Glucans purified from baker’s yeast enhances the immune system better than any other type of Beta Glucans studied because they are highly-branched and biologically active particles. Beta-1,3D Glucan is taken from the cell walls of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and intensely purified.  It yields the highest purity and concentration of Beta-1,3D Glucan per capsule making it the most economical for the price. Studies show that Beta-1,3D Glucan is a superior immune modulator.
Is Beta Glucan safe to take with my medicines?
Yes. Beta-1,3D Glucan, when taken with prescription drugs, has no known adverse effects. In fact, research shows Beta-1,3D Glucan enhances the effectiveness of many drugs, including anti infection, cholesterol-lowering, and chemotherapy drugs.
How do we know Beta-1,3D Glucan enhances the immune system?
For decades, researchers have studied how Beta-1,3D Glucan works on the immune system. Hundreds of scientific papers have been published by researchers from the University of Louisville, Tulane University, and Harvard University, to name a few. These research papers describe in detail exactly how Beta-1,3D Glucan acts on the immune system. Many of these papers have shown Beta-1,3D Glucan to be a highly effective immune modulator.
Why haven’t we heard about Beta Glucan before?
For nearly four decades, Beta 1, 3-D glucan has been available for research to laboratories and medical schools. However, to purchase one-100 mg sample of Beta 1, 3-D glucan, cost close to $200.00. This made it highly prohibitive from a commercial standpoint.  A.J. Lanigan developed an intense purification process that made it affordable.
Will Beta Glucans over-stimulate the immune system?
No. Beta Glucan is an immune modulator. It binds to a specific receptor site on the surface of all immune cells with CR3 receptors. This binding enhances the readiness of these immune cells to attack any foreign body perceived as non-self (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi, cancer, parasites etc.) It is the presence of these non-self foreign bodies that cause these immune cells to become stimulated.
Will Beta-1,3D Glucan harm an autoimmune condition or a transplant patient?

Do not take Beta Glucan if you are taking immunosuppressants or anti-rejection drugs or medicines that lower the body’s ability to reject a transplanted organ.

We do not recommend Beta Glucan for any auto-immune disorder. Beta Glucan does not, as with some immune stimulants, create an over–stimulated immune response. Instead, it should be more properly referred to as an immune modulator or a biological response modifier. In multiples of types of immune function tests, it has been shown that this compound abates certain pro-inflammatory situations.

Regardless, we feel that too little is known and understood about autoimmune disorders and therefore we do not recommend it be used. Even though the window of safety is huge with our compound, this or any other compound that you intend to put in your body should be thoroughly reviewed and understood by your physician(s), pharmacist(s) and you.  This would apply also to the transplant patient and pregnant women.

Why is your Beta-1,3D Glucan better than the others?
PURITY, POTENCY, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, and PRICE.  A.J. Lanigan is the manufacturer of our Beta-1,3D Glucan. It is a highly purified, biologically active form of Beta Glucans and the most potent because his contains the largest amount of the Beta-1,3D Glucan per capsule (See Beta Glucan Product Purity). Also, his Beta-1,3D Glucan is shown to have the greatest benefits on the immune system in research paper after research paper. His standards are the highest in the industry; And he constantly delivers a superior product at an affordable price!

You can see an independent, 3rd party analysis of how our Beta-1,3D # Glucan 300 compares to other immune supplements by clicking the links below:

How much Beta-1,3D Glucan do I need each day to enhance my immune system?
The immune system is more enhanced with the more Beta Glucan you take. With our highly potent Beta-1,3D Glucan the immune system is greatly enhanced when taken daily. How much you need is determined by body weight. We suggest you take 2 mg per kg. For example, a 220 lb. person weighs 100 kilograms and needs 200 mg of Beta Glucans (two 100 mg capsules) for effective immune support. For maximum immune support, take 20 mg per kg.  We make a 500 mg capsule for maximum immune support.

If you are facing a health challenge, Dr. Vetvicka suggests .01 to 1.5 grams per 200# pounds of body weight per day.”

This equates to one 500-mg Beta Glucans per 55 pounds of body weight which is the maximum dosage.  If you took any more, it would not be of any more value to your immune system; it would not hurt you, but it would not do any more good. So, if I was facing a health challenge and weighed 100 pounds and wanted to maximize my immune system, I would take two 500 mg capsules per day.

Who will benefit from additional immune support?
Everyone can potentially benefit from additional immune support. Especially, people who are susceptible to: allergies, infectious diseases, slow healing, cardiovascular disease, and those on chemotherapy and radiation. Also, those that are under physical or emotional stress can benefit from taking our highly purified, biologically active Beta-1,3D Glucan. And don’t forget your pets.  Animals can benefit from Beta Glucans since their immune system is like ours.
How should I take Beta 1, 3-D glucan?
ALWAYS take on an empty stomach (You haven’t eaten in about 5 hours) with a small amount of water. Then wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking. The Beta Glucan is taken up into the body through specialized immune tissue that is found in the small intestines. Waiting 30 minutes ensures that all the Beta Glucan is used to strengthen the immune system and not passed through the small intestines with food.
How often should I take it?
DAILY! This is very important. When you take Beta Glucan, your immune cell activity increases and will peak in 72 hours. It then slowly decreases. Some increased immune activity remains for two weeks after taking the initial dose. However, to ensure your immune system remains at peak performance, you should take Beta Glucan daily.
I am diabetic. Would it hurt me since it is a complex form of glucose?

No, it will not harm you. Many people get confused over the use of the term “glucose.” Beta Glucan #300 consists of a “complex” form of glucose. It is so complex that it may be referred to as a fiber. Since fiber (Beta Glucan) cannot be digested in the gut into simple sugars, it cannot be of any harm to diabetics.   In fact, diabetics would enjoy the extra fiber in the diet.  I hope that this helps to understand why Beta Glucan #300 cannot hurt any diabetic regarding his/her blood sugar issues.

Since Beta Glucan is a very large molecule how does it get through the blood brain barrier?
Most people try to look at Beta Glucan as having some sort of chemical effect to a tumor or to a virus or to a mold, mildew or fungus.  This is a misconception.  We are not looking to these materials to produce any type of chemical or a drug effect. When Beta goes into the body, it potentiates (makes effective or active) or modulates/causes a response to be affected simply by their presence at the lymph or the blood.
Additional information on Beta-1,3D Glucan is available at A. J. Lanigan’s informational website, http://www.vitawithimmunity.com This information includes scientific studies, interviews and videos.

We welcome your questions.  If you still have a question, please call or email us.  We are here 9 AM – 5 PM EST, Monday – Friday and many times longer.  If we do not answer, just leave a message and we will get back to you promptly.

CALL:

Toll-free 1-877-552-BETA (2382)
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support@thebetasource.com
Sincerely,
The Beta Source