Mushroom Complex 4 – 30% Beta 1,3/1,6 D Glucan – HIGH STRENGTH 50:1 Extract – Shiitake, Reishi, Lion’s mane, Maitake – Capsules / Powder

FAQs

Which is better, Beta-glucan from Mushrooms or Yeast?

Mushroom Beta-glucan is a carbohydrate polymer derived from the cell wall of medicinal mushrooms. Research demonstrates that this unique polymer effectively supports the body’s natural defence system by activating the front line immune cells to support a healthy and robust immune response without over-stimulating it.

Mushroom extracts contain much more bio-active ingredients than just (1>3)(1>6)beta-D-glucans, including other types of bio-active beta-glucans, sterols, triterpenes and trace minerals. Glucans linked to peptides /proteins (proteo-glycans and polysaccharide-peptides) are also present. It is very likely there is a synergy between these bio-actives, increasing the therapeutic potential.

Existing research shows mushroom extracts containing ≥ 20% beta-glucan to be almost as active as yeast-derived beta-glucan supplements with a purity of ≥ 83 – 86 %. In other words, to achieve a similar effect on the immune system you get from taking our high-quality mushroom extract you’ll have to take ± 10 x the amount of yeast beta-glucans.

Mushroom extracts contain mostly soluble beta-glucan, whereas yeast beta-glucan is mostly insoluble. Soluble polysaccharides (such as in mushroom beta-glucans) bind to bile acids in the small intestine, making them less likely to enter the body; this in turn lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. They also reduce the absorption of sugar, reduce sugar response after eating, normalize blood lipid levels and, once fermented in the colon, these soluble glucans produce short-chain fatty acids as by products with wide-ranging physiological activities. Insoluble glucans such as found in yeast have a more limited therapeutic potential.

The conclusion can only be that mushroom extracts are to be preferred over yeast-derived beta-glucan supplements. They achieve a similar immune-modulating effect at a significant lower dosage and on top of that have many other beneficial health effects not found in yeast beta-glucan products.