Anyone Using Beta Glucan?

[Ewhite99]

My Mom suggested I take Beta Glucan to bolster my immune system. How do you say no? It's very expensive, $70/month. There's no way to measure if it is working but lots of Googling tells me that it may help. Is anyone else using it?

[pjoshea13]

I have an old series of posts on funghi, a good source of beta glucans. I don't use a beta glucan product as such, since I take a turkey tail supplement:

oriveda.com/e-coriolus_psp.php

It is expensive, but there are so few trustworthy mushroom products.

Meanwhile, beta glucan need not be expensive:

swansonvitamins.com/swanson...

It is derived from a yeast species.

Prednisone & variants suppress the immune system, so beta glucans would be counterproductive, while on Zytiga+prednisone, say.

-Patrick

[wrando]

I've been taking it. It helps with colds and flu, but don't know if it's helping my cancer. Better Way Health has a sale for the next day or two...like three for $53...

[softwaremom00]

I take it just for immune support. My husband takes it too for immune support and prostate cancer. When I remember, I give the gummy ones to my kids. I think it helps. The oriveda company suggested by pjoshea13 is a great resource. For me and the kids we use the stuff from Better Way Health.. I buy in bulk so that makes it significantly cheaper. .the gummy ones are not expensive.

Also I have heard that Nutritional Yeast can be a good source of Beta Glucan if you are on a budget.. There are some recipes that use a lot of Nutritional Yeast.. Beet Burgers.. fake cheese sauces.. it is a good way to hide the taste if you don't like it.

Remember to take it on an empty stomach if possible.

I thought the purpose of prednisone with Zytiga was to prevent the effects of corticosteroid deprivation(Addisons disease) ? In this case suppressing the immune system would be an unwanted side-effect of the prednisone. That would mean taking beta glucan might be a positive. Please correct me if I am understanding this wrong.

[13thwarrior]

Ewhite99, I use BG as one of a number of supplements designed to strengthen my immune system, with anticipated follow-on benefits to my prostate. My philosophy is of two parts. First, strengthen the immune system, while at the same time (second) doing things - like taking supplements - designed to support/improve my prostate health.