Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from the cellular walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast). The extraction is so pure that consumption of Beta-Glucan is harmless, unlike consuming large amounts of yeast. So, even if you have yeast related problems, including overgrowths and infections, Beta-Glucan is a perfectly safe immune supplement to take.

In the late 1980s, Dr. Joyce Czop of Harvard University describes how cells known as macrophage, which are the front line defense of the immune system, contain a special receptor for yeast in Beta-Glucan. In addition to recognizing and eliminating tumor cells throughout the body, macrophage cells also produce several essential cytokines that help to fortify the immune system's natural defences against infections and viruses. The more activated macrophage cells there are in the body, the better the immune response, thus the medical community has a great ongoing interest in Beta Glucan.

According to an article by Donald J. Carrow, M.D., in a 1996 Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, "There is now evidence to show that Beta-Glucan is, from an evolutionary point of view, the most widely and most commonly observed macrophage activator in nature."

Dr. Carrow has said that Beta-Glucan is an excellent supplementation option for people who have impaired immunity from any cause, including chronic fatigue, recurring stress, fibromyalgia, persistent viruses, or even environmental pollutants. Beta-Glucan is generally accepted as safe, has no known toxicity or side effects, and was approved by the FDA in 1998.

In addition to its immune boosting qualities, Beta Glucan has been shown to lower cholesterol by as much as 20%. If you are looking for a long-term health-enhancing supplement, Beta Glucan definitely has the potential to be an excellent choice.

Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of Immune Wellness, your source for high quality information about Beta Glucan and other health products.