Common Cold, Flu and Beta Glucan Research

The common cold, typically caused by human parainfluenza viruses, remains one of the most frustrating of medical illnesses, given its incidence and prevalence. The common cold has significant effects on health, well-being, and productivity.

There are no reliable interventions currently available that significantly protect against influenza infections or prevent the occurrence of this illness. There have been several clinical trials evaluating a variety of dietary supplements for the prevention and treatment of both experimentally induced and naturally occurring colds.

Biological response modifiers such as beta-glucan, specifically Transfer Point Beta-1,3D Glucan, enhance the innate immune response without inducing damaging pro-inflammatory cytokines, and may represent a novel approach to protect against cold and flu pathogens. source

The Immune Response Enhanced by Beta-1,3D Glucan - pg.1

The Immune Response Enhanced by Beta-1,3D Glucan by A.J.Lanigan - pg.1

The immune response begins when invaders like viruses enter the body. White blood cells, called macrophages, encounter the invader and consume it. The macrophage does not care what the invader might be. It only knows self or non-self. Meanwhile, other viruses look for nearby cells to infect. Beta-1,3D Glucan, an extract from the cell wall of a baker's yeast, turns the "Woody Allen cells" into "Schwartzenagger cells." This allows your immune system to be "all that it can be". Beta-1,3D Glucan modulates and potentiates the macrophage and keeps it in a more prepared state. With this balancing effect, all subsequent immune response improves. The beta glucan and the macrophages are oblivious to the type of invader or the health of the host. Again, the macrophage only knows self vs. non-self. The glucan treated host will enjoy an increase in its arsenal against unwanted offenders.

Next, the macrophage digests the virus and displays pieces of the virus (antigens) on its surface. Antigens may be any substance introduced into the body that the immune system recognizes as non-self. Nearby cells may become infected by the attacking viruses. In a healthy immune system, these infected cells will come under attack, be destroyed, and be removed before they can be used to spread the illness.

Unique among the different helper T cells (another class of white blood cells) in the body, one particular helper T cell now recognizes the antigen displayed and binds to the macrophage. There are at least two subsets of the helper T cells, the Th1 and the Th2. They make the decisions as to what type response will be ordered. Up and down regulatory factors transmitted by this pair of cells (macrophage + T helper) provide many variations for dealing with the invaders.

This union stimulates the production of chemical substances - such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by the macrophage, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-y) by the T cell - that allow intercellulor communication. Theses cytokines/lymphokins (fax messages) are required for T cell activation and response. Mere activation is not enough. The Antigen Presenting Cell (APC), depending on the type (MHC I or II) of presentation gives co-stimulation (a second go-ahead signal). CD28 (blood test) reflects this co-stimulation and activation process. - source

Autoimmune Diseases and Beta Glucan

Balance of cytokine production is important. Autoimmune diseased patients frequently display low IL-2 and high gamma-Interferon. Absolute causes are not established but there are strong indications towards viruses and environmental factors (i.e., sunlight, chemicals, and certain drugs that alter recognized self to non-self cell types). Due to the high incidence of autoimmune disease in women, heredity and sex hormones are suspected since Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) responses are relative to certain genes.

There are numerous studies showing the safety and effectiveness of Beta-1,3D Glucan in a host for immune bolstering, immune dysfunction, immune dysregulation and last but not least, the selective lowering of LDL cholesterol.

In the area of autoimmune disease, the removal of diseased cells, debris, and harmful molecules from the body and blood are important. Beta-1,3D Glucan derived from the cell walls of bakers yeast plays a role here. Scavenging and debris cleansing abilitites of the properly modulated macrophage can assist these processes.

In various parts of the body, macrophages may be called:

• Alveolar cells - lungs
• Interdigitating cells - various
• Kupffer cells - liver
• Langerhans cells - skin
• Mesangial cells - kidneys
• Microglial cells - brain
• Monocyte cells - blood
• Neutrophil cells - various
• Serosal cells - endothelial layer
• Synovial cells - joints

To maximize your uptake of the Beta-1,3D Glucan, it should always be taken on an empty stomach. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. A small amount of pure water should be used to swallow the capsule. (No coffee, tea, juice, etc.) - source

Researchers Share Comments About Beta-1,3D Glucan

"The current study represents the first demonstration that a specific form of Beta-1,3D Glucan can enhance the immune system's ability to kill anthrax spores, and that it can do so orally." Gary R. Ostroff, PhD, at the 224th national meeting of the American Chemical Society

The U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Study found that systematic Beta-1,3D Glucan synergizes with cytokine and growth factor stimulation of hemotopoeisis (white blood cell formation) in the bone marrow following myelosupression. Initial preclinical results demonstrate that oral Beta glucan also provides a radiation protective effect.

"In one study, oral Beta-1,3D Glucan administered alone reduced tumor weight by nearly half. But when used in conjunction with a monoclonal antibody, the average tumor weight shrank by more than 80%." Gordon Ross, PhD, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Beta glucan has been proven to be effective when administered orally or intravenously, however, the latter would require daily visits to a physician. When taken orally, the macrophage obtains maximum activity and effectiveness after about 72 hours, then again reaches normal activity after about 144 hours.

"As it is a natural substance, there are no side effects and there is no danger of overdose. Clearly Beta Glucan is a natural, safe, specific, and highly effective way to keep our immune system healthy." Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka

Beta Glucan Helps The Immune System Work Better

Transfer Point Beta Glucan is an immune modulator which helps the immune system work better, it will not either boost or suppress the immune system.

Transfer Point Beta Glucan has been scientifically proven to both maintain and support a healthy immune response.

Transfer Point Beta Glucan works by activating immune cells known as macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells. These are your immune system's first line of innate defense. They are responsible for finding, identifying, and consuming foreign substances in the body. Macrophages also control the activities of other important cells in the immune system.

Recently published studies by Beta glucan and immunology research experts at the University of Louisville, Drs. Vaclav Vetvicka and Jana Vetvickova, demonstrated the superiority of Transfer Point's Beta-1,3D Glucan as compared to others on the market. The science revealed that purity of the product makes all the difference clinically. The purer the Beta glucan, the more profound the clinical results were in the studies presented. Transfer Point's highly purified product was found to be the most active in this group. Here are the results:

• The strongest healthy immune response of phagocytosis and massively high cytokine (IL-2) levels as compared to all other major brands.
• Healthy blood sugar level support
• Healthy cholesterol level suport

All of this was demonstrated at relatively low doses of Glucan # 300 per day as compared to massive doses of other competitors. Transfer Point's Beta-1,3D Glucan packs the biggest support for a healthy immune system at a cost that the competition cannot meet. source