Beta 1, 3-D Glucan. What is Beta glucan?

Over the past 9 years The Road Back program has been slightly changed as new breakthroughs occur. I feel at this time the biggest breakthrough of all has happened. A breakthrough to the degree that the book How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely needs to be rewritten.

Two products we have used, Power Barley Formula and Essential Protein Formula contain a type of barley that is called Aktivated Barley. The only reason Aktivated barley was used in the formulation was for an item called beta glucan that is found in that type of barley.

You will read below a description of Beta glucan and what Beta glucan does within the immune system.

A product called Beta 1, 3D Glucan is now not only a part of this program but an integral part. TRB Health www.trbhealth.com has signed an agreement with the manufacturer of Beta 1, 3D Glucan to carry their product.

For years the problem has been what you do for someone with “protracted withdrawal.” This person with protracted withdrawal came off their medication and suffered and has continued to suffer months later or even for years later. They develop sensitivity to most if not all vitamins and even foods.

Some people are gluten intolerant and could not take the Power barley Formula or the Essential Protein Formula. Some people could not take soy or lactose and could not benefit from using the Essential Protein Formula.

The Beta 1, 3D Glucan can be used in place of the Power Barley Formula and Essential Protein Formula if necessary.

Let’s face it, living on planet Earth in 2008; our immune systems are probably lacking a little. If we smoke, take any drug, get a virus etc, our immune system can be affected to the extreme.

If you are doing a pre-taper or tapering off a benzodiazepine, the Beta 1, 3D Glucan is part of that program.

If you are doing a pre-taper or taper off an antidepressant, antipsychotic or ADHD medication and anxiety is your main issue, the Beta 1, 3D Glucan is part of that program.

The first in a series of articles will be found below regarding Beta glucan. I am sorry but there is really no way to describe what Beta 1, 3D Glucan is doing within the body without being a little technical.

Beta Glucan

Beta glucans are polysaccharides.

Polysaccharides are any of a class of carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose, consisting of a number of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds.

Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that cannot be broken down to simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Also called simple sugar.

Hydrolysis is a decomposition of a chemical compound by reaction with water.

Glycosidic bonds – A bond between two monosaccharides.

There are different types of Beta Glucans. We are only interested with Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.

Beta 1, 3-D glucan is the sole active ingredient in Beta Glucan. It is derived from the cell walls of baker’s yeast, making it the precise substance for which the actual glucan macrophage receptor (CR3, mac-1, CD11/CD18) has been identified. Beta 1, 3-D glucan is technically a polybranched polygluose – so complex some refer to it as a fiber.

Before proceeding further, let’s address some frequently asked questions.

I am allergic to yeast. Will this cause a problem?

No. Although derived from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces ceravisiae), Beta glucan is a pure isolate and does not contain enough yeast proteins to cause an allergic reaction.

Are the effects of beta 1, 3-D glucan backed by scientific research?

Hundreds of scientific studies originating from such prestigious institutions as Tulane, Harvard, and the U.S. Armed Forces attest to the safety and efficacy of Beta 1, 3-D glucan.

Why haven’t we heard about Beta glucan before?

For nearly three decades, Beta 1, 3-D glucan has been available to laboratories and medical schools. However, to purchase 1 (one) 100-mg sample of beta 1, 3-D glucan, the cost was close to $200. This made it highly prohibitive from a commercial.

The reason Aktivated Barley was added to the Power Barley Formula and is offered in the Essential Protein Formula is due to the beta glucan content from that type of barley.

Is Beta glucan derived from baker’s yeast the most effective?

Glucans derived from barley, oats, or other grains have been shown to be ineffective as an immune modulator. Only Beta 1, 3-D glucan from the cell wall of baker’s yeast has been shown to have a potent effect on the immune system, in an economical manner.

Will Beta glucan cause over-stimulation of my immune system?

No. The presence of beta glucan potentiates the receptors on the surface of the macrophage. Only the presence of non-self (virus, bacteria, fungi, cancer, parasites, etc.) causes the macrophage to become stimulated. Beta glucan alone does not stimulate.

Will Beta 1, 3-D glucan cause or expand an autoimmune situation?

Beta 1, 3-D glucan does not create danger. Considerable peer reviewed data indicates just the opposite.

Are there any drug reactions that can occur when taking Beta glucan?

There are no adverse effects known when Beta 1, 3-D glucan is taken in conjunction with pharmaceutical drugs. Beta 1, 3-D glucan safely enhances the effect of many anti-infective drugs, cholesterol reducing drugs and chemotherapeutic agents.

Why take Beta 1, 3-D glucan?

If you have anxiety or sleep issues, there is a reason and those reasons will be discussed in the next article. It is important to first understand what Beta 1, 3-D glucan is doing within the body.

Beta glucan has been shown to directly increase hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis is the process by which your bone marrow produces stem cells. Stem cells are one of the most vital needs of your immune system, because stem cells ultimately become white blood cells. Specialized types of white blood cells are called phagocytes; these include macrophages, neutrophils, and eosenophils. One function of these phagocytes is to engulf invaders (or any foreign substance) immediately, without question. This process is called phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis has also been tested and shown to be enhanced by beta glucan. The phagocyte’s ability to engulf foreign substances is very important. The faster phagocytosis happens, the more debris the phagocyte can destroy. When a phagocyte digests an invader, it notifies the proper authorities (T cells), to let them know there is a foreign substance present. The T cells decide the best action to pursue in order to relieve the body of this foreign substance. Once the phagocyte presents the debris of the invader, the T cells have one of three options.

Initiate a Humoral Immune Response, using acquired immunity, B cells, and antibodies. The antibodies are specific and use a chemical process to identify the invader and fight it. However, the antibodies are not produced or ready to use for the body for about 21 days. This type of immune response is most typically associated with vaccine.
Initiate a Cell Mediated Immune Response, alongside innate immunity’s phagocytes and natural killer cells. These immune cells fight hand to hand with the invader, using ROIs, NOIs, and stomachs. These cells do not need preparation; they are always ready to fight.
Initiate a Humoral and Cell Mediated Immune Response.

If the T cell initiates a cell mediated immune response, all phagocytes that have flocked to the site of infection are assisted by other specific white blood cells. This charge of cells is called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis has been tested and shown to be enhanced by our Beta glucan. When the phagocytes reach the site of invasion, they produce reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (NOIs). These ROIs and NOIs include hydrogen peroxide (H202) and nitric oxide (NO), and are very important in helping the phagocytes to rapidly destroy the invader. Our beta glucan has been tested and shown to help phagocytes produce more ROIs and NOIs. Therefore, the faster the phagocytes reach the site of invasion, and use ROIs and NOIs, the faster the intruder’s position is compromised.

However, if the T cell initiates a humoral immune response, B cells are notified to create plasma cells, which create antibodies to fight the infection. These antibodies are actually chemicals designed to tag a specific invader, and take about 21 days to fully develop. When the antibodies are ready, they are sent out to target the specific substance for which they are made. Until these antibodies are ready, it is up to the innate immunity to directly come in contact, hand to hand combat, and ultimately engulf the intrusive substance.

Innate immunity is what keeps you alive, until acquired immunity is established. In some cases, a person’s immune system programs itself to rely too much on a humoral (antibody) response versus a cell mediated immune response. Our beta glucan has been tested and shown to correct the over-shifted humoral response to a cell mediated immune response.

The claims, information and products mentioned through this site or within the book, How to Get Off psychiatric Drugs Safely have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site or within the book, How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Copyright 2006 The Road Back. All rights reserved. No part of this Web Site may be reprinted or distributed without permission.
Copyright 2006 - How to Get Off Psychiatric Drugs Safely by James L. Harper used with permission.

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