Why take betaglucans

Betaglucans.

The best for your immunity

Have you heard of betaglucans? Did you know that they strongly support our immunity and that we should take them regularly? Betaglucans modulate our immune system, which means that they strengthen the body's ability to defend itself against pathogens and infections. Betaglucans activate macrophages and other immune cells, and these in turn are better able to recognise and destroy unwanted and harmful microorganisms in our body. As a bonus, they help to lower cholesterol levels and promote gut health.

Betaglucans are natural substances found in foods such as oats, barley, mushrooms or yeast. Think of them as little building blocks that are the foundation of the cell walls of these foods.

Most commonly, beta-glucans are extracted from yeasts like Sacharomyces cerevisiae, but recent scientific studies show that the most active beta-glucans are found in mushrooms, more specifically in a specific group of mushrooms we call vital mushrooms. Among the most well-known are Reishi, Cordyceps, Coriolus, Hericium, Maitake, Shiitake, Mushroom or Chaga.

Betaglucans contained in mushrooms have a more complex and branched structure, which affects their biological activity. In contrast, betaglucans from yeast have a simpler structure with fewer branching points. It is this more complex structure that makes fungal betaglucans more intense and effective in our body.

How do betaglucans work in the body?

Betaglucans, mainly beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans, are the most important substance in mushrooms that affects our immune system. How do they do it?

The role of the immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes or NK cells) is to protect the body from pathogens and different types of infections. Without them, we would suffer from a wide range of diseases.

Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans help fight bacteria, viruses, yeast and other harmful microorganisms. They also contribute to cancer prevention. Cancer cells arise in our bodies almost every day, but fortunately the human body has defense mechanisms to recognize and destroy these abnormal cells. A strong immune system is better able to identify and eliminate cancer cells, and to carry out the various DNA repairs that occur during cell division.

The immune system as an army in our body

Think of the immune system as an army that constantly protects the body from invaders. Each cell has a clearly defined task, and all cells work together to keep the body healthy.

Each immune cell has receptors on its body, special sensors (glycoproteins), through which it can "recognize" and "receive" signals from the environment. When a beta-glucan molecule binds to the receptor, the receptor passes this information on to the immune cell. It tells it, or instructs it, what to start doing - to defend itself, to release specific substances, or to start dividing and forming more immune cells.

The Secret of the Metal Chicken

Imagine this mechanism as a lock and key. The receptor is the lock and the betaglucan molecule is the key. When the key fits into the lock, the lock turns and unlocks the door. This dramatically increases the activity of the immune cell, and it becomes very active in searching the body and destroying everything that doesn't belong there.

Do you remember the little metal chicken on a key from your childhood? When she reached for the key, she started pecking around frantically. The same way an immune cell works after beta-glucan binds to its receptor. It "stretches" the immune cell just like a chicken and enormously increases its ability to actively scan the entire organism and destroy anything unwanted.

What is the mechanism of action of betaglucansaccording to scientific studies?

Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans from vitalch fungi act on the immune system through several mechanisms:

1. They activate macrophages and dendritic cells

Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans from vitalch mushrooms interact with receptors on the surface of macrophages and dendritic cells, such as the Dectin-1 receptor. This binding leads to activation of the cells, causing an increase in phagocytosis (engulfment of pathogens) and production of cytokines that further modulate the immune response.

2. Stimulate neutrophils

Neutrophils, which are key to the first line of defense against infections, are also activated by beta-glucans. Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans bind to complement receptor 3 (CR3), which enhances the ability of neutrophils to destroy pathogens through phagocytosis and the release of antimicrobial agents.

3. Modify adaptive immune responses

Dendritic cells activated by beta-glucans from vitalch fungi can present antigens to T-lymphocytes, leading to activation of the adaptive immune response. This includes proliferation of specific T-lymphocytes and production of cytokines that promote long-term immune memory and a more effective response to future infections. After fighting an infection, some cells remember the invader and are ready to respond more quickly and efficiently when next attacked.

4. Increase cytokine production

The interaction of beta-glucans with immune cells leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12. These cytokines play a key role in regulating immune responses, promoting inflammatory reactions and activating other immune cells.

5. They affect the intestinal microflora

Betaglucans modulate the immune response through interaction with the gut microbiota. They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which play an important role in regulating the immune system and protecting against pathogens.

6. Acts on cancer cells

Betaglucans also promote the production of cytokines that regulate the immune response and may inhibit the growth of tumors. In addition, some studies suggest that betaglucans may directly affect cancer cells by inhibiting their growth and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell suicide).

Want only the best, your body deserves it

If you decide to start taking betaglucans, don't compromise. Reach for the vitalch mushrooms and look for mushroom product manufacturers that list not only the amount of polysaccharides in the extract, but more importantly the betataglucan content. The ideal proportion is 30 to 40%.

You should also be aware that some manufacturers use polysaccharides that contain little beta-glucans and which therefore do not particularly strengthen the immune system. Or they add other substances to mushroom products which they pass off as effective polysaccharides.

Thanks to innovative extraction procedures and modern testing methods, some top manufacturers are able to increase the proportion of betaglucans in their mushroom extracts, while increasing their bioavailability, and at the same time maintaining optimal amounts of other active substances such as triterpenes, enzymes, acids, minerals, vitamins, sterols, etc. Which is very important.

Trust only verified manufacturers

If you want the best for your body, ask the manufacturer for tests to prove the amount of beta-glucans in the extract. These tests should be carried out by a reputable and independent laboratory. Since these tests are expensive and even quite difficult, only the quality and reputable manufacturers really have them done.

One of the proven manufacturers on the European market is the Czech company MycoMedica. Thanks to tradition and a long-standing high standard of quality production, you will be sure that you are buying mushroom products that actually contain the substances declared on the packaging, and thus quality, safe, and above all effective products.

In the new innovative PRO range, we have taken mushroom products to a whole new level of quality and beta-glucan content. Want the best for your body.

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