Superior fungi are composed of countless molecules with demonstrated therapeutic qualities such as polysaccharides, dietary fiber, Terpenes... Within the group of polysaccharides the β-glucans (beta-glucans), bioactive compounds that have shown to have activity on the immune system, regulating our immune response, but also intervening in the Cardiovascular System operation and in the development of Oncological processes.
As published by the published scientific evidence, beta-glucans are able to effectively stimulate our defenses against infections of bacteria, viruses, parasites ... In addition, they act as they act as Biological response modifiers modulating the immune response of the guest, which has implications in protection against various diseases.
Posted by Catalina Fernández de Ana Portela 04/12/2019 edited by Hifas Da Terra Communication
Content index
What are beta-glucanos?
From the biochemical point of view, beta-glucans make up a long chain of glucose units found in multiple substances and are considered soluble dietary fibers. Although mostly the products made from Avena have been associated with beta-glucans, these are not exclusive to these foods, but can be found in other cereals, algae and mushrooms. Specifically, beta-glucans of fungal origin have its own bioactive potential and structural aspects with complex ramifications that give rise to triple propeller formations, which is related to its antitumor activity.
Some of the foods with beta-glucanos are:
- Basidiomycetes fungi Like the mushroom of the sun, Mamena de León, cordyceps, Coriolus versicolor, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Coprinus, Polyporus ...
- Cereals Like barley, oatmeal, rye, corn, rice ...
- Sea algae
Beta-glucans of mushrooms: more complex
Beta-glucans of fungi and some cereals have special chemical qualities. They have β- links (1.3) in their main chain and have β- branch points (1,6). Different studies have determined that this branched structure is relevant to carrying out its action on the immune system.
Analytics of the species cultivated in Hifas Da Terra show a content in beta-glucans near 50%
Other relevant structural aspects in relation to the activity of beta-glucans are:
- Solubility: To greater solubility there could be more activity.
- The molecular size: A greater molecular weight, more activity could be observed.
- Ramification points: Ramification points β- (1,6).
- Ramification form: The helical tertiary structure of the glucans of fungi is important for the immunostimulating activity exercised by them. On the other hand, the beta-glucans of the algae have a linear structure
How are beta-glucanos activated?
As we have seen, beta-glucans are part of the foods we consume daily, although they can also be consumed in the form of food complement, where the concentration of these active substances is greater and adapts to the one called therapeutic dose. In any case, the administration is carried out mostly orally and this entails the following question How does interaction with the immune system occur?
Gastrointestinal system
70-80 % of immune system cells are located in the intestinal mucosa. This is, together with the nostrils and the skin, one of our main access roads and contact with pathogenic organisms. The location of immune cells in the digestive system also allows the oral beta-glucans to be captured and transported to the spleen, lymphatic nodules and bone marrow where, when interacting with immune cells, they could help activate the immune response.
On the other hand, as stated in other articles, fungi act as prebiotics stimulating the growth of the intestinal microbiota, thus being beneficial for the organism.
Beta-glucans and immune system
Some of the polysaccharides and proteoglycans isolated from medicinal fungi such as
Beta-glucans and allergies
In addition to the antitumor effects, there are also studies on beta-glucans in which the effect of this type of polysaccharides on allergies and their associated symptoms is evaluated: from the rhinitis, lto conjunctivitis, the itch with eyes and throat, The nasal drip and the cough to the fatigue and the Physical discomfort.
As we explain in the section Learn From our website, when an allergic reaction occurs, our body increases the defensive response. Of the usual balance, also called homeostasis, we move on to an exacerbated response of the immune state TH2 or pro -inflammatory status where different chemical reactions are produced, among which is the release of histamine, which can cause the aforementioned symptoms.
A study published in 2013 by the magazine Food Science & Nutrition It collects the results of a randomized trial carried out for 4 weeks in which a formula with beta-glucans was administered to the experimental group. Compared to the group that received placebo, the subjects who consumed beta-glucans reported the following improvements:
- In general, allergy symptoms They were reduced by 28%
- the Severity of symptoms associates was reduced by 52%
In general terms of well -being, the experimental group also recognized improvements in relation to emotional well -being, physical health and energy levels. On the other hand, in relation to the reduction of the symptoms associated with allergic processes, they highlight:
- he insomnia was reduced by 53%
- Reduction of the symptomatology that affects the eyes and its mucous membranes in 57% (crying eyes, redness, itching ...)
- problems such as itching, excess mucus and other issues nose related in 50% (Postasal drip, itching, sneezing, congestion ...)
The conjunction of these improvements resulted in what was reported as a Improvement of the quality of life of these patients with allergy in 56%
Biological response modifiers
The ability of beta-glycans to stimulate immune system cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and NK cells have resulted in new clinical applications in which they are already used as adjuvants that improve the effectiveness of hospital treatments, especially for its Anticancer potential.
There are studies that indicate that beta-glucans can Prevent oncogenesis and, given their qualities on immune cells, beta-glucans can also inhibit tumor growth and expansion. Likewise, as an adjuvant treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, beta-glucans have shown to have a positive role in the Restoration of red blood cells (hematopoiesis) After a bone marrow injury.
Dyslipipemia, hypertension and obesity
The functional use of Dietary fiber It has been collected in multiple studies. Several scientific articles have even documented the benefits of beta-glucans in specific issues related to cardiovascular health such as dyslipipemia, hypertension and obesity.
As we have said, solubility in water and the molecular weight of beta-glucans are decisive in their activity on the immune system, which also has to do with its action at the cardiovascular level and, specifically, with its hypocolesterolemic effect.
This brief summary about beta-glucanos It allows us to have an idea about the therapeutic possibilities of those foods that contain them, but also of the possibilities that these substances suppose for the development of new treatments oriented to HEALTH CARE And, specifically, to improve our immune and cardiovascular systems.
References
- Akramiene D, Kondrotas A, Didziapetriene J, Kevelaitis E. (2007) Effects of Beta-Glucans on the Immune System. Medicine (Kaunas). 43 (8): 597-606.
- Shiu-Nan Chen, Ching-Sheng Chang, Ming-Hsin Hung, Sherwin Chen, William Wang, Cheng-Jeng Tai, Chung-Lun Lu (2004) The Effect of Mushroom Beta-Glucans from solid culture of ganoderma lucidum on inhibition of the primary tumor tumor Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 252171.
- D. El Khoury, C. CUDA, B. L. Luhovyy, and G. H. Anderson (2012) Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ARTICLE ID 851362, 28 pages.
- DEEPAK MUDGIL (2017) Dietary Fiber for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (Chapter 3) Fibers Interaction Between Gut Micoflora, Sugar Metabolism, Weight Control and Cardiovascular Health. Pages 35-59.
- Chan and, Chang T, Chan CH, Yeh Yc, Chen CW, Shieh B, Li C (2007) Immunomodulatory Effect of Agaricus Blazei Murill in Balb/Cbyj Mice. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2007; 40: 201–208.
- Vigchi g, et al. (2008) Allergy and the Gastrointestinal System. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 153 (Suppl. 1): 3–6.
- Solomon P. Wasser, Alexander L. Weis (1999) Medicinal Properties of Substances Occurring in Higher Basidiomycetes Mushrooms: Current Perspectives (Review). DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.v1.i1.30. Pages 31-62.
- Mendel Friedman (2016) Mushroom Polysaccharides: Chemistry and Antiobesity, Antidiabetes, Anticancer, and Antibiotic Properties in Cells, Rodents, and Humans. Foods, 5 (4), 80
- John A.Bohn, James N., Bemiller (1995) (1 → 3) -β-D-Glucans as Biological Response Modifiers: A Review of Structure-Functional Activity Relationships. Carbohydrate Polymers. Volume 28, Issue 1, pages 3-14.
- Chan GC, Chan WK, Sze D (2009) The Effects of Beta-Glucan on Human Immune and Cancer Cells. J Hematol oncol. 2009 Jun 10; 2: 25. DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-2-25.
- Jayachandran M, Xiao J, Xu B (2017) A Critical Review On Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms Through gut Microbiota.int J Mol Sci. 2017 Sep 8; 18 (9). PII: E1934. DOI: 10.3390/IJMS18091934.
- Takashi Norisuye (1985) Triple - Stranded Helical Structure of Schizophyllan and ITS Antitumor Activity in Aqueous Solution. Supplement: Microsymposium of Polymer Effects.volume14, Issue S19851.Pages 105-118.
- Talbott, S. M., Talbott, J. A., Talbott, T. L., & Dingler, E. (2014). β-glucan Supplementation, Allergy Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Self-described Ragweed Allergy Sufferers. Food Science & Nutrition, 1(1), 90–101.