Beta-Glucan > Sources & Forms

Nutritional Supplement

Beta-Glucan

Where to Find It

Beta-glucan is found in the cell walls of many yeast and cereal fibers, such as oats, wheat, and barley. As a dietary supplement, beta-glucan is available in liquid form as well as in capsules and tablets.

How to Use It

For lowering cholesterol levels, the amount of beta-glucan used in clinical trials has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day. For enhancing immune function, an effective amount has not yet been determined due to the lack of studies in this application. However, manufacturers of beta-glucan products usually recommend between 50 and 1,000 mg daily (to be taken on an empty stomach), although some products contain as much as 500 mg per capsule.

References

1. Murphy E, Rezoagli E, Major I, et al. β-Glucan Metabolic and Immunomodulatory Properties and Potential for Clinical Application. J Fungi (Basel) 2020;6:356.

2. Joyce S, Kamil A, Fleige L, Gahan C. The Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Oats and Oat Beta Glucan: Modes of Action and Potential Role of Bile Acids and the Microbiome. Front Nutr 2019;6:171.

3. Xu D, Liu H, Yang C, et al. Effects of different delivering matrices of β-glucan on lipids in mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr 2021;125:294–307.

4. Ms Wolever T, Rahn M, Dioum E, et al. An Oat β-Glucan Beverage Reduces LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr 2021;151:2655–66.

5. Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Veronesi M, et al. A randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study. Nutrients. 2020;12:686.