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

The Immune Response Enhanced by Beta-1,3D Glucan - pg.2

The Immune Response Enhanced by Beta-1,3D Glucan by A.J.Lanigan - pg.2

As part of the continuing process, IL-1 helps activate B and T cells; IL-2 instructs other helper T's and a different class of T cells, the killer T's (CTLs or cytotoxic T lymphocytes), to multiply. The proliferating helper T's in turn release substances that cause B cells to multiply and produce antibodies. B cells are prepared to recognize antigen without preprocessing. The T cell cannot recognize antigen in its natural state. It must first be broken down and the fragments bound to a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule by the APC. The macrophage is an APC. Glucan causes its receptor sites (key slots) to be released for these presentation chores.

The killer T cells (trained assassins) now begin shooting holes in cells that have been infected by viruses or other pathogens. The killer T cell (CTL or cytotoxic T lymphocyte) becomes a "trained assassin". They respond to the MHC I complex, which is found on almost all body cells. The CTL has the ability to seek and destroy infected human cells in a specific manner. With the injection of powerful chemicals, these infected cells are killed before they can be used to spread a disease. Natural Killer (NK) cells are large, granule-filled lymphocytes that take on tumor cells and infected body cells. They are known as "natural" killers because they attack without first having to recognize specific antigens. Like the macrophage, if it is not "self", it will proceed to kill. NK cells and CTLs both kill on contact. The killer binds to the target, aims its weapons and then releases a lethal burst of chemicals to punch holes in the target. - source

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

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

When a Class II MHC molecule is presented by the APC, the B cell/antibody process begins. This is the humoral side of the immune system. The antibodies released by the B cells bind to antigens on the surfaces of free-floating viruses. Besides making it easier for macrophages to destroy viruses, this binding signals blood components called complement to puncture holes in the viruses. The Complement System is made up of 25 proteins that work with the antibodies to destroy invaders. They facilitate phagocytosis (eating by phagocytes) or they directly puncture the invader's cell membrane. C3 is the key protein that triggers the "complement cascade". This cascade results into a "membrane attack complex" that literally blasts a hole into the antibody marked prey. Fragments thrown off by this process bring into play mast cells and basophils. By releasing their chemical contents, they produce the rediness, warmth, and swelling of the inflammatory response.

Finally, as the infection is brought under control, the activated T and B cells are turned off by suppressor T cells (a T-8 subset). However, a few "memory cells" (another T-8 subset) remain behind to respond quickly if the same virus attacks again. Immunologists believe that the body fights cancer in much the same way it seeks to eliminate viruses. Further study of the immune system is expected to reveal ways to bolster it, allowing the body to become a more active partner in the fight against cancer. - source

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