Beta Glucans

What is Bio-Glucan Plus™?

The new formulation now includes Vitamin D3 and Selenium in addition to beta 1,3/1,6 glucans, naturally occurring complex sugars obtained from yeasts and fungi. Supplementation with Bio-Glucan Plus™ helps to maintain a healthy immune system. The type of glucans used in Bio-Glucan Plus™ should not be confused with the type of glucans (beta 1,3/1,4 glucans) obtained from cereals such as oats and wheat, which have a different molecular structure and different actions within the body. The main dietary benefit from beta 1,3/1,4 glucans is a reduction in blood cholesterol levels.

What does Bio-Glucan Plus™ do?

The beta 1,3/1,6 glucans contained in Bio-Glucan Plus™ act as a primer of innate immune system. As the name indicates, the innate immune system is inborn, and serves as the body’s first line of defence against infectious organisms. This is in contrast to acquired immunity, which involves the development of antibodies against foreign organisms, as the second line of defence. Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans provide a stimulus to activate neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system against infectious organisms.

In addition, Vitamin D and Selenium are two nutrients that are known to play an important role in supporting immune function.

Bio-Glucan Plus™ may particularly benefit individuals whose immune system has been weakened through lifestyle, stress, or aging. Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans help to maintain the body’s immune defence against infection by Candida species.

How much Bio-Glucan Plus™ should you take?

The recommended intake is 2-4 tablets per day.

Are there adverse effects from taking Bio-Glucan Plus™?

No significant adverse effects have been reported from clinical trial studies using beta 1,3/1,6 glucans.

About Pharma Nord Bio-Glucan Plus™

The new formulation Bio-Glucan Plus™ contains Yestimun, in our opinion the superior source of beta 1,3/1,6 glucans, with a dry matter content >85% and alpha-D-mannan content of<2%. Like all Pharma Nord products, Bio-Glucan Plus™ is manufactured to pharmaceutical standards.

Bio-Glucan Plus™ is suitable for vegetarians.

Bio-Glucan Plus™

* Beta Glucans - Vitamin D3 - SelenoPrecise *

Now with beta glucans from Brewers’ yeast in a highly purified form – making Bio-Glucan Plus™ better than ever.

Brewers’ yeast in its natural form is an excellent source of valuable B-vitamins and many other minerals and trace elements. With such powerful “equipment”, it supports a multitude of areas of use. Pure brewers’ yeast is seen as one of the most effective food supplements. It helps the body to regenerate and keep healthy. Yeast-derived beta glucan is a polysaccharide from the yeast cell wall and is classified as an indigestible fibre. -(1,3)-(1,6)-glycosidic bond of yeast beta glucan is recognised by the receptors inside the intestine and thus triggers the body’s macrophages.

Bio-Glucan Plus™ from Pharma Nord UK now contains beta glucans supplied by German experts Yestimun® from highly purified Brewers’ yeast. Yestimun® is beta glucan in its pure form, which they extract from raw materials in accordance with the German purity law. Through a gentle process, brewers’ yeast is purified to produce Yestimun® in such a way that the beta glucan’s natural structure is maintained. This is how they enable the intestinal receptors to recognise this structure and trigger the immune defence system.

What are beta glucans?
The name Beta Glucan was devised by scientists who discovered the component of the yeast cell wall in the 1960s. It is derived from the individual components (glucose) and the beta (b)-glycosidic bonds linking the glucose components.

Are yeast beta glucans comparable to oat or barley beta glucans?
Both yeast and barley/oat glucans share the same basic component (glucose) and bond type (b-glycosidic). However, the connection points within the glucose differ. Barley/oat glucans are connected by a b-(1,3)-(1,4) glycosidic bond, while yeast beta glucan is linked by a b-(1,3)-(1,6) glycosidic bond. Due to the specific bond type, only the yeast beta glucan is recognised by the intestine and as such has an effect on the primary immune system.

Are beta glucans medication?
At present, yeast beta glucan is seen as a foodstuff or food supplement. In the US, yeast beta glucan has the status GRAS (generally recognised as safe). In Japan, beta glucans from mushrooms have also been known for some time. In Germany, Yestimun® is officially classified as a foodstuff.

Why do beta glucans need to be purified in order to be really effective?
The yeast cell uses the structure of the beta glucans in order to form a solid shell. In natural bakers’ or brewers’ yeast, the beta glucan is covered by a layer of mannoproteins or manno-oligosaccharides. This top layer is removed during the purifying process revealing the structure of the yeast beta glucans, which can be recognised by the body. The higher the level of purification, the more effectively the glucans are
recognised by the body.

How does Yestimun® differ from other glucans?
Yestimun®’s beta glucan structure matches those of other highly purified glucans. Additionally, with Yestimun® you can be sure that only brewers’ yeast from German breweries is used and they are therefore guaranteed free from any genetic engineering.

Is Yestimun® suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, Yestimun® can be used in terms of vegetarian nutrition without exception.

Bio-Glucan Plus™ does not just contain beta glucans however!
To give you all round immune support, Pharma Nord have also include Vitamin D3 and Selenium in its innovative new product. Bio-Glucan Plus™ is a unique combination of beta-glucans, vitamin D, and selenium, working together in ways that may help prevent colds, influenza, and infections.

Studies have shown that vitamin D supports the body’s immune system. So does the trace element selenium, which most of us fail to get enough of from our diets. When these two nutrients are combined with something called beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharides found in baker’s yeast, certain types of fungi, and many kinds of bacteria, you have a powerful immune-stimulating “cocktail”. Bio-Glucan Plus™ is a whole new nutritional supplement with selenium, vitamin D3, and beta-glucans in one tablet that is intended to optimise immune functioning. Regular use of this product will keep your immune system in good working order and help your body fight off different problems such as:

• Colds
• Influenza
• Infections
• Stress-induced health conditions

While most people have heard or read about the immune-stimulating impact of vitamin D and selenium, beta-glucans is something that is fairly unknown to the consumer. Still, there is good support for the health properties of these natural compounds.

Good for fighting stress
It is a known fact that people who are exposed to high levels of stress are more susceptible to colds and infections. A study of 45 men and 105 women aged 18-65 demonstrated good effect of beta-glucans after a four-week treatment period. They had significantly fewer signs of URTI (urinary tract infection), better overall health, increased vigor, and a much higher level of self-reported mental well-being. In other
words, beta-glucans both protected them against stress and stress-related health problems. A similar study on 75 male and female marathon runners showed that those who were given a supplement of beta-glucans daily for four weeks, following a marathon race, had significantly fewer symptoms of urinary tract infection. Also, they had better overall health, decreased confusion, less fatigue, tension, and anger
and increased vigor.