I was looking at a supplement that claims to boost the immune system. Apart from some vitamins/minerals its main ingredient was beta glucan.
Looking on the internet, Beta Glucan is naturally present in unrefined foods such as oats, pulses and whole grains.
Has anyone heard of it to give their expert opinion? Can our diet have a strong role in protecting us from the virus?
Never been too keen on supplements, apart from Vitamin D. Our bodies tends to absorb vitamins etc more effectively from food.
healthline.com/health/food-...
Beta glucan may play a role in boosting the immune system, but there don’t appear to be any definitive findings.
Just to add, there does seem to be good evidence that regular exercise can help improve the immune system. Cheaper than a supplement. Lots of videos on YouTube at the moment.
Totally agree with what you are saying. Where possible the food should be organic.
I saw this supplement claiming to boost the immune system of which 75% was beta glucan. I have never heard that term before until I read that is common in wholegrain foods especially Oats, Barley and pulses. But the grains need to be wholegrain not refined.
I have oats every morning with seeds and nuts. I make my own bread from stonground wholemeal spelt. I eat some pulses but should have more. I realised that maybe my diet is quite rich in beta glucan. So I won't be taking the supplement.
More than ever a good wholesome diet is essential for a strong immune system. You added exercise onto it and I totally agree with that. The other factor to be included is meditation and mindfulness. After all we are made of mind, body and spirit and all the components need nurturing. The reverse is also true: smoke, drink alcohol (a little is OK), consume a lot of sugar, eat refined foords then you are probably harming your immunity.
So there is a lot we can do ourselves that if we get the virus that we are more likely to fight it off.
I just have a bowl of wholegrain porage every day - much cheaper - followed by an orange. Wholegrain toast is an occasional treat.
Probably a lot cheaper to have a varied diet and take the odd vitamin supplement than spend out probably a heck of a lot on this.
I know that beta-glucan lowers cholesterol but was told that there was no point in buying expensive supplements because it was contained in good quality porridge oats.
That was the conclusion that I came too. I have good quality porridge oats for breakfast each day.
Hi phil
How are you doing with beta glucan?
Can I also ask what dose you're on?
I tried some German beta glucan from Amazon yesterday and took 3g spaced through the day
And, it's certainly helped with the muscle aches, but has given me a horrible cold
Maybe try a bit less today?
Thanks
Alps
I am pleased that it helped with your muscle aches. I was a bit surprised that you got a cold unless this was a releasing process of your body. That last paragraph is just speculation.
As the start of the covid outbreak, I was looking around to make my immune system as strong as possible. I saw this supplement with beta glucan claiming to boost the immune system. After researching and posting, I realised that my diet is already rich in beta glucan and saw no need to supplement. I continue to have organic porridge oats with seeds and nuts for breakfast. These are already rich in beta glucans. My guess is that my breakfast probably contains 2-3g of beta glucans. No idea what the rest of my diet is giving me but I would expect another 1-2g per day. I am also pleased to say that so far over the past winter until now that I have had no colds or 'flu or covid. Now it is possible that I was exposed to these viruses but maybe my body's immune system was strong enough to fight these off. Again another speculative statement.
3g does not seem much to me as from natural sources you can easily achieve 5g per day. My conclusion from before was that diet should provide sufficient beta glucans and maybe you should look at food as being your supplement.
I hope that helps.
Hi phil
I stopped the beta glucan after 2 days as the very bad cold I had may have been linked to it
And I haven't had a cold for years now
The cold has gone away now, but I shall not return to the supplement
And yes you're right in saying that a good diet is key
I eat GF and have a good bowl of porridge every day
As I have hashimotos, I thought the beta glucans would help to boost the immune system?
Plus, still looking for answers for my main health problem of muscle aches
Thanks again
Alps
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