Beta 1, 3-D Glucan from Baker's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a pharmacological agent that enhances resistance to infection. Beta glucan has been shown to act through stimulation of immune cells. (Tsukagoshi, S. et al. 1984).
Glucans are long chain polysaccharide (sugar) molecules. Polysaccharides represent a structurally diverse class of macromolecules and have a high capacity for carrying biological information because of their great structural variability (like DNA).
Polysaccharides can interconnect at various points to form a wide range of branched or liner structures.
In nature there are many forms of these glucans.
Beta glucan is many glucose molecules joined in a specific way with branches called beta 1,3 linkages. These molecules have been shown to have specific stimulatory effects on the immune system. source
