Beta-glucan supplements are growing in popularity these days, largely due to their perceived ability to strengthen the immune system. But like so many things, it’s important to keep a sharp eye when looking for a beta-glucan supplement, because not all are created equal.

In this article, we’ll break down what to look for in a beta-glucan supplement and how you can be sure you are getting the purity and genetic makeup necessary to make your immune system stronger, in an all-natural manner.

Let’s dive in!

Which Type of Beta-Glucan is Best for Immune Support?

For maximum immune support, there’s one type of beta-glucan that you should always be on the lookout for.

For example, Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,4 hasn’t been shown to have any immune-boosting properties. So a supplement with that type of beta-glucan won’t do you any good. And while the beta-glucan found in common foods like oats can offer some benefits, the most beneficial type is Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D.

Select a Supplement That Has Carefully Sourced Ingredients

Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D is derived from the cell walls of Baker’s Yeast and has clinically been shown to boost immune function. This enables your body to react quicker and with more force to invasive toxins and diseases. The result is a healthier you, with the ability to better fight infection.

While this type can also be found in mushrooms and brewer’s yeast, Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D derived from baker’s yeast has additional properties that make it even more effective (improved respiratory function, inflammation, allergies, etc.)

Choose a Beta-Glucan Supplement with High Purity

Supplements with less than 70% purity using sub-par sources will naturally have subpar effects. That means people like you miss out on important benefits. We recommend avoiding supplements with less than 80% purity.

We recommend this brand of Beta-Glucan as it includes 250MG of Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D with more than 85% purity (you can also choose a 500MG capsule as well)

Look for All-Natural Beta-Glucan Supplements

Part of the success of any supplement regimen comes from keeping it “all-natural.” When trying to boost the immune system, the last thing you want to do is add a bunch of processed chemicals into your body — what good is helping one part of yourself while harming another?

That goes for any additional ingredients as well. Some supplements will use a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients, so be sure you do your research. A trustworthy supplement brand will make it quick and easy to learn where ingredients come from, how pure they are, AND whether or not they’re all-natural.

A Potent Beta-Glucan Supplement Should Provide Additional Benefits

On top of providing enhanced immune support, a supplement with a high purity of Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D can provide these additional benefits.

Reduced Inflammation and A Healthier Inflammatory Response

Inflammation is a completely normal response to things like injuries, illness, or even stress. When your inflammatory responses are off-balance, however, you might experience things like joint pain, stiffness, skin irritation, and more. Clearly, this can have a significant impact on your ability to do the things you love most.

For example, if you enjoy playing tennis but find that the sport adds too much pressure to your knees, certain naturally occurring compounds can help your body react in a better manner to curb the resulting pain. One of those compounds happens to be Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D

Improved Respiratory Function

When taken as directed in combination with a healthy lifestyle, a beta-glucan supplement can reduce the duration of cold symptoms, and the severity of respiratory tract infections.

Improved Allergy Symptoms

One study looking at treatments for allergic rhinitis found that subjects treated with beta-glucan showed fewer of the cytokines involved in this type of allergic inflammation. In addition, cytokines known to suppress this type of allergic response increased with beta-glucan.

That means that a high-quality supplement with Beta-Glucan 1,3/1,6-D should make it easier to breathe as the seasons change (particularly during allergy season).

Improved Digestive Health

As a soluble fiber, beta-glucan keeps your digestive tract running smoothly. It also slows digestion which means that the body doesn’t digest food or absorb sugar as quickly. This helps keep blood sugar levels stable. If that weren’t enough, it also helps lower cholesterol and control insulin responses.

Honestly, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. That’s because a high-quality beta-glucan supplement can make a BIG difference in your overall health and wellbeing.