Yellow Pages Antarctica

Beta Glucan is a natural substance that is found in bakers yeast, oats, barley, and several mushrooms. It is recognized by the FDA and is given a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) rating. Beta glucan is usually taken on an empty stomach.

In order to be effective, beta glucan has to be processed first, because it is not readily useable in its natural state. Aside from this, it has to contain the “proper glucan purity level and 1,3-D/1,6 molecular linkage.1″

Health Benefits

There have been a lot of documented studies on beta glucan’s health benefits. “Actually beta glucan is probably the most powerful immunity enhancer known to science.”

Beta Glucan can boost the immune system, as well as lower cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, beta glucan can also fight infections, improve intestinal flora, and help with irritable bowel syndrome, diabetic conditions, ulcer, digestion, tumors, and cancer growth.

Cancer

“In Japan, extracts containing various types of Beta glucan have been used to successfully assist in treating cancer patients for the last 20 years.”

Beta glucan has anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. A study at the Mayo Clinic, Tokyo University, and Wuhan University revealed the anti-cancer activity of beta glucan in cancerous mice. Also, a study made with patients suffering from gastric cancer found that taking beta glucan made from shiitake mushrooms actually prolonged their survival times.

Cholesterol

Beta glucan is also found to lower cholesterol, particularly those that are obtained from oat bran and barley. “Beta glucan is a safe, effective, powerful, proven and inexpensive way to lower your cholesterol levels, yet most people have never even heard of it.4″

A study was made in the University of Syracuse in New York wherein seventy-one men and women with high cholesterol were given beta glucan. Bad cholesterol levels dropped by as much as 17%, while good cholesterol levels increased. The one that had the best results had a low fat diet while taking beta glucan supplements.

Beta Glucan Effectivness

Each and every one of us is different, and so is our immune system. The effectiveness of the beta glucan is not dependent on a higher milligram content, but rather, on the immune system’s response to the beta glucan.

Aside from this, the beta glucan’s effectiveness is also dependent on the source from which it is obtained, its manufacture processing, size, as well as the uniformity of the beta glucan particles consumed.

Choosing a Beta Glucan Supplement

So we now know that beta glucan is definitely good for the body. But how do we choose the right supplement with the many brands out there in the market? Well, we can do that by simply checking a supplement’s “report card”, either by calling in and asking the company questions about their product, or by seeing how much the trust their product wether they have a money back guarantee or not.

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Travelers visiting many tropical, sub-tropical and developing countries run an increased risk of suffering a gastrointestinal illness. These are usually caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. The microscopic bugs at the top of these rather gut wrenching (for all the wrong reasons…) charts are E Coli, the staphylococci, shigella and salmonella species, campylobacter jejuni, cryptosporidiosis, and hepatitis A.

Infected food is the biggest culprit, with water coming in second. Ice cream, cocktails served in re-used coconut shells, raw seafood, ice, and food from street vendors are potential risks that can interrupt your adventure with less salacious memories to pass on to family and friends.

The nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea from such acute infections usually sorts itself out after a few days (unless of course you have contracted hepatitis A, or something like giardia). Certainly, if you are unlucky enough to be sick after a few days, you should see a doctor.

Fortunately, there are remedies you can take that will strengthen your immune and digestive system and hopefully give your body a better chance at dealing with its new environment. The herbs I describe below would make an excellent travelers mix. The best form to take them in would be as a tincture, which can be made up by going to a local herbal dispensary if you have one in your area, or alternatively, a local herbalist.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is a good anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial. The polysaccharides in it support the immune system. Astragalus increases the activity of phagocytes, natural killer cells, and the levels of antibodies in the blood.

Picrorrhiza (Picrorrhiza kurroa)

This is an Ayurvedic herb that is best given in low doses, as higher doses can cause diarrhea and flatulence in more sensitive people. Its a bitter herb, so it stimulates the digestive system. It is also anti-malarial, supports the immune system, and protects the liver. Picrorrhiza encourages all aspects of the immune system, such as B and T cell activity, and the activity of phagocytes. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine for liver related problems and immune problems.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

Goldenseal is a gut antibiotic, which for example helps reduce adhesive e coli, and encourages some immune functions of the body. For example, berberine, which is one of its active constituents, has been shown to increase the activity of macrophages, which digest bacteria and viruses. Barberry also contains berberine, so more information on this very valuable constituent is below. Goldenseal, being a bitter herb, it is also good for the digestive system. If you are pregnant or suffer from hypertension, however, you should not take goldenseal.

Barberry (Berberis Vulgaris)

Berberine, one of the active constituents in this herb is an anti protozoic, which helps protect travelers against giardia, leishmania, and treponema pallidum. Other notable effects of berberine are its activity against giardia, dysentery, and candida, as well as the cholera vibrio. The active constituents berberine and palmatine are also anti-bacterial. And berbamine, which like berberine is an alkaloid, is a strong anti-bacterial which seems to work by increasing white blood cells and platelets. The constituent palamtine is a uterine stimulant, however, and as such pregnant women shouldn’t take this herb. Barberry is another gut antibiotic, but it is also anti-malarial (though no self-respecting herbalist would recommend anything other than doctor’s treatment if you do contract malaria).

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or augustifolia)

Echinacea is an immune stimulant. Its main active constituents are the polysaccharides and the alkamides (especially the isobutylamides), which are both immune stimulating, and the polyaceytlenes, which are antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Echinacea supports the activity of phagocytes, which are part of the immune system, and is also considered anti-viral and anti-microbial. One of the ways echinacea appears to work is by inhibiting the action of the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme is used by micro-organisms to break down the connective tissue that prevents them from entering and spreading through the body. For these reasons, it is excellent as part of a travelers remedy mix.

These remedies are not designed as a prophylactic, like a vaccine. They work on the principle of giving your body an increased chance at staying healthy. But nothing replaces common sense. Wash your hands before eating. Don’t drink ice or from water bottles where the seal has been broken. Drink cocktails in glasses, not cute but probably old coconut shells. Don’t eat anything fresh that you can’t peel. Don’t eat ice cream or drink unpasteurized milk. Be wary of eating from street vendors. Some people do, and are fine. But they are a risk factor with gastrointestinal upsets. Its a good idea to pack some oral hydration salts as a precaution.

But above all, enjoy your holiday!

References: C Fisher & G Painter, Materia Medica of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere

Class notes from Ses Salmond, certified Natural Therapist and Herbal Medicine teacher

Rebecca Prescott is the author of the website www.vitaminstohealth.com which publishes information on herbs such as echinacea, and provides natural alternatives for many common health problems.

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