When consumed with a meal, beta glucans slow the absorption of glucose and prevent rapid rise in blood glucose levels. Diabetics can benefit from ingestion of these water-soluble fibers found in certain plants and microorganisms. Beta glucans are isolated from common bakers' yeast, algae, seaweed, various oriental mushrooms, grasses, barley, aloe vera and oats. They are the active component in oats shown to decrease triglycerides and bad cholesterol -- LDL -- and increase good cholesterol -- HDL. Studies show oats interfere with absorption of cholesterol, which also helps with cardiovascular disease, a chronic complication of diabetes. If you have diabetes, do not try to self-medicate with foods high in beta glucans. Discuss alternative options with your doctor that you feel may help control your diabetes.
Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber in the diet binds cholesterol and interferes with its absorption. It converts cholesterol into bile acids, slows gastric emptying and helps promote regular bowel movements. Soluble fiber provides materials for colonic bacteria for production of essential fatty acids -- and it slows absorption of glucose. In a clinical review, published in the December 2008 issue of "Vascular Health Risk Management," researchers found many studies showing that soluble fiber from beta glucans reduced body weight, appetite and waist circumference.
Hypertension
According to the review in "Vascular Health Risk Management," hypertension is another complication of diabetes, and diabetes itself can actually increase hypertension. Beta glucans in shiitake or maitake mushrooms were found to reduce systemic blood pressure in rats, and oat beta glucans reduced blood pressure in subjects with a body mass index above normal.
Wound Healing
Inefficient inflammatory response compromises the mechanisms of healing in the diabetic, and beta glucans are known to promote wound repair. According to a study by researchers at the Comprehensive Wound Center at Ohio State University Medical Center and published in the May-June 2011 edition of "Wound Repair Regeneration," beta glucans are immune activators. In another study published in the 1997 issue of "American Surgery," it is believed beta glucans may also increase collagen synthesis. When the 2008 "Vascular Health Risk Management" clinical review was written, the possibility that beta glucans could help the healing of vascular injury was discussed. A study from the Department of Surgery at James H. Quillen College of Medicine and published in the February 2004 issue of "Cardiovascular Research" showed that beta glucans induce cardio-protection by protecting the heart from ischemia -- lack of blood due to blockage.
Allergic Risk
The possible risk of allergic reaction to beta glucans is very low. Beta glucan materials derived from yeast are a polysaccharide extract of the cell wall, not a whole yeast extract. Therefore, they do not pose allergenic risk because they are very low in protein, according to "Discover the Beta Glucan Secret" by Beth M. Ley, Ph.D.
References
- "Discover the Beta Glucan Secret"; Beth M. Ley, Ph.D.; 2001
- "Vascular Health Risk Management"; Beta-Glucans in the Treatment of Diabetes and Associated Cardiovascular Risks; Jiezhong Chen, et al.: December 2008
- "Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Ninth Edition"; Eleanor D. Schlenker, Ph.D., R.D., et al.; 2007
- "Wound Repair Regeneration"; Particulate β-Glucan Induces TNF-α Production in Wound Macrophages via a Redox-Sensitive NF-Kβ-Dependent Pathway: S. Roy, et al.; May-June 2011
- "American Surgery"; Effect of Macrophage Stimulation on Collagen Biosynthesis in the Healing Wound; CA Portera, et al.; February 1997
- "Cardiovascular Research"; Modulating Toll-Like Receptor Mediated Signaling by (1-- > 3)-Beta-D-Glucan Rapidly Induces Cardio Protection; C Li, et al.: February 2004
