ACTIVATE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

By Carolyn Gazela And Leonid G. Ber, M.D.

CHAPTER THREE
The Ultimate Activator

 

Volumes have been written on the workings of the human immune system. And yet, details of how it functions on all levels remain somewhat of a mystery. At least now we have a basic understanding of how the immune system works. We know that it has the power to keep us healthy and rid the body of illness. And we know we can best support the health of our immune system.

If only there were some simple, economical way to help the immune system maintain or regain its power against the countless antigens we face. Well, thanks to impressive scientific research and innovative manufacturing techniques, there is such an ingredient readily available over-the-counter. Beta-1, 3-D-glucan (beta glucan) has demonstrated significant benefits for immune function.

Beta glucan is a simple polysaccharide (sugar/carbohydrate molecule) extracted from the cell wall of common baker's yeast. Although conventional medical scientists once dismissed beta glucan as nonsense because of its simplicity, it has now been confirmed that beta glucan profoundly and positively activates a powerful immune system response.

While most of the scientific community resisted this discovery, a few pioneers proceeded and confirmed beta glucan's value.

A Brief History

The story of beta glucan begins with the study of a drug used extensively in Europe called Zymosan. This immune stimulator is made up of a crude mixture of yeast cell wall materials synthesized into a drug. Louis Pillemer, Ph.D., and his colleagues first studied the drug in the 1940s. It was during this research that Dr. Pillemer's group discovered that Zymosan, a combination of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, was able to nonspecifically modulate the immune system. This means it could activate the immune response regardless of the type of invader (i.e., virus, bacteria, or tumor).

In the 1960s, Nicholas DiLuzio, Ph.D., conducted additional research at Tulane University. It was Dr. DiLuzio's research that actually uncovered the active component of Zymosan. Beta-1, 3-D-glucan was first identified as the immune-activating compound within the drug. From there, scientists tried to determine just how beta glucan worked.

In the 1980s, Joyce Czop, Ph.D., from Harvard University, unlocked the remaining mystery. Dr. Czop found specific receptor sites for beta glucan, specifically the 1,3 linkage of the cell, that matches a site on the surface of the macrophage. As we discussed in Chapter One, the macrophage is the first line of defense in our immune- system; it plays a pivotal role in the activation of the entire immune response. Dr. Czop found that when beta glucan activates the macrophages, a myriad of immunological action and reaction occurs.

Although most of the research had been conducted via test tube (in vitro) or intravenously (IV), research in the late 1980s at Baylor College of Medicine confirmed the oral effectiveness of a purified beta glucan. This research, sponsored by ImmuDyne Corporation, was important as it established the oral effectiveness of beta glucan and helped determine an adequate dose for the purified material. This is significant since it is much easier and more cost-effective to take something by mouth versus IV. Today, research continues on this innovative immune system activator.

Reviewing The Research

Dr. Czop's work was a turning point in beta glucan research. By identifying the specific receptor on the macrophage that binds with beta glucan, we can more fully understand how this ingredient works and why it is so effective. From a scientific perspective, this is very important.

Dr. Czop discovered that the receptor site is a protein complex that appears to be present throughout the whole life cycle of the macrophage, even when it is first developed in the bone marrow. It has been confirmed that when the macrophage encounters the beta glucan molecule, the macrophage becomes activated. This triggers all the macrophage's powerful immune-stimulating capabilities. Remember, the macrophage serves many important functions, including the "eating of antigens and cellular debris, and communicating with the T-cells to "tag " antigens in preparation for future attacks. In addition, the macrophage stimulates bone marrow production of immune-supporting substances.

In the 1970s, most of Dr. DiLuzio's research focused on using beta glucan as a complement to conventional therapies. His research successfully demonstrated beta glucan's effectiveness against hepatitis, leukemia, and would-healing in animal models. Other researchers have confirmed the following:

Anti-infective. By itself, beta glucan is a broad- spectrum, anti-infective agent that can eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. When combined with an antibiotic, the macrophage stimulation of beta glucan can actually enhance the effectiveness of the drug.

Anti-cancer. Numerous animal studies and anecdotal evidence has clearly shown beta glucan to be effective in treating many forms of cancer. When combined with anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, beta glucan not only protects against the extensive adverse side effects of these treatments, it also enhances their effectiveness.

Let's Hear What the Scientific Community Is Saying About Beta Glucan..

 

"This demonstration of bactericidal enhancement via oral dosing suggests an application for beta-1, 3-glucan as a component in a combined modality with conventional anti-infective agents. Beta glucan, through the stimulation of host defense systems, creates a more supportive environment within the body to assist the primary killing action of the conventional agent."

Phil Wyde Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

 

" A cascade of interactions and reactions initiated by macrophage regulatory factors can be envisioned to occur and to eventuate in conversion of the glucan-treated host to an arsenal of defense&beta-1, 3-glucan is at least 100 times more active than mannan (from aloe)."

Joyce K. Czop, Ph.D. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School

 

"Of all substances tested, glucan was the only substance to exhibit a particularly marked enhancement of the proliferative phase of would healing. It appears, from these experiments, that the effect observed by others in terms of the activation of reticuloendothelial function by glucan and the activation of macrophages, both locally and systematically, also apply to activation of macrophages in healing wounds."
S.J. Leibovich The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

 

"Glucan was found to be an effective (substance) in inducing macrophage-mediated destruction in malignant lesions in animals and humans. Glucan has caused either complete or partial resolution of 100 percent of the human lesions into which it has been injected intralesionally."
~Peter Mansell M.D. McGill University Cancer Research Unit, Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada

 

"The broad spectrum of immunopharmacological activities of glucan includes not only the modification of certain bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infection, but also inhibition of tumor growth."
~Nicholas DiLuzio, Ph.D. Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine

 

"Beta-1, 3-glucan is a potent macrophage stimulant and is beneficial in the therapy of experimental bacterial, viral and fungal diseases."
~William Browder, M.D. Department of Surgery and Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine

 

"Glucan (beta-1, 3) has been shown to enhance macrophage function dramatically, and to increase nonspecific host resistance to a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections."

Myra L. Patchen, Ph.D. Department of Experimental Hematology and Radiation Sciences, Armed Forces Radiology Research Institute.

 

Topical agent. Beta glucan is very effective as a wound healer. A combination of a topical antibiotic and beta glucan may prove to be extremely beneficial. We will learn more about the exciting area of skin applications of beta glucan later in this chapter.

The United States Armed Forces Radiobiology Institute conducted one of the most remarkable studies using oral beta glucan. In a well-controlled study, rats were given a lethal dose of radiation. Amazingly, 70 percent of the animals were completely protected from the effects when given a dose of yeast-derived beta glucan by mouth after the radiation.

Even the fishing industry has taken advantage of the benefits of beta glucan. In a 1994 article, Modulators in Fish Immune Response, the authors described how beta glucan was used in Atlantic salmon and catfish. The beta glucan increased the fish's resistance to a variety of bacterial pathogens.

Numerous other examples of the power of beta glucan exist in the scientific literature. Let's take a quick look:

Melanoma. Peter Mansell, M.D., of the McGill University Cancer Research Unit in Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, injected beta glucan into subcutaneous nodules (i.e., lumps under the skin) of malignant melanoma. Subsequent biopsies of the injection sites found no evidence of the melanoma; just a collection of obviously activate macrophages.

Skin Ulcers. One study involved women with recurrent malignant ulcers of the chest wall following mastectomy and radiation for breast cancer. Researchers found the ulcers completely healed after an application of beta glucan. Large pressure ulcers were also healed when the same material was used to treat a group of patients at the New Orleans Charity Hospital. The complete lack of infection and rapid growth of normal skin were additional, unexpected benefits.

HIV. The first human study on beta glucan's systemic effect (i.e., whole body rather than just one part) was done in the mid-1980s, featuring patients with advanced HIV ( Human Immunodefieciency Virus) infection. Even in this case of severe immune system deficiency, the beta glucan increased immune system activity.

Free-radical scavenger. As an antioxidant, beta glucan is a powerful free-radical scavenger. Myra Patchen, Ph.D., found that beta glucan is able to protect blood macrophages from free radical attack during and after radiation, allowing these cells to continue their important immune functions. Free-radical-scavenging evaluations were repeated in different models to confirm the impressive antioxidant effect of beta glucan.

Leukemia. Several studies have shown beta glucan to be effective in the treatment of leukemia in animal models. These same studies also evaluated the combination of beta glucan with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Fifty-six percent of the animals were cured when combined therapy was used.

Viral Hepatitis. Dr. DiLuzio and colleagues found beta glucan to be effective in animal studies on viral hepatitis. The researchers concluded that beta glucan treatment increased survival time, inhibited the progression of the disease, and stimulated the immune system.

E. coli. In 1990, researchers published their findings on E. coli bacteria in the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. While the untreated animals died within 12 hours, the bacterial counts of the group treated with beta glucan measured zero after 24 hours.

 

The Importance of Vitamin C

Two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, Ph.D., showed conclusively that vitamin C stimulates the immune system and offers great protection against many illnesses. Dr. Pauling proved again that he was far ahead of his time. Today, many researchers finally agree that this simple vitamin packs a lot of power.

"Supplementation with vitamin C has been shown to help fight infections from virtually all pathogens," writes Dr. Pizzorno in his book, Total Wellness. "Even moderate levels of vitamin C supplementation in apparently healthy elderly adults on a supposedly adequate diet results in significant immune enhancement."

Recent research has shown that vitamin C and beta glucan form a perfect partnership. Researchers have discovered that macrophages utilize a large amount of vitamin C to accomplish their many responsibilities.

The vitamin C content in a macrophage cell can reach 40 times higher than the vitamin C content in the blood. In addition, macrophages activated with beta glucan exhibit a significant drop in their vitamin C content. Researchers believe this might lead to an exhaustion of their free-radical-scavenging capacity. It could also lead to impaired enzyme activity and movement within the macrophage. This is important, since it is the enzymes within the macrophage that actually "digest" the antigen.

Not only does vitamin C help the macrophage, the beta glucan has been shown to actually enhance the effectiveness of vitamin C. It's the ideal nutrient marriage.

 

Benefits to the Skin

Not surprisingly, researchers are looking for other effective applications for this promising immune-stimulating natural ingredient. As it turns out, beta-glucan-containing products can provide incredible benefits to the skin.

Macrophages are present in all the organs of our body, including blood, liver, nervous system tissues, and skin. We used to think of our skin as merely an outer shield. Actually, our skin is the largest immune system organ of the human body.

The outer layer of the skin is called the epidermis. It contains up to five percent of the body's macrophages, known as Langerhans cells. Each of these macrophages in the epidermis has a body and long-reaching extensions. Because of these extensions, Langerhans cells literally form a fishnet within the upper layer of the skin, reaching most of the skin's cells.

The role of the Langerhans cells is extremely important. They carry out defensive and regulating functions within the skin. As with any macrophage, Langerhans cells are initially manufactured in the bone marrow. When they move from the bone marrow to the epidermis, they support the integrity of the skin.

The skin is constantly repairing itself. Its macrophages are responsible for cleaning and restoring damaged areas. As we age, the immune system's ability to respond to new challenges declines. The skin becomes less able to heal itself and cope with infection.

Beta glucan nourishes beauty as well as immune function. The cosmetic effect of the products containing beta glucan was evaluated in 150 women, ages 35 to 60. Here are the results:A 27 percent improvement in skin hydration was observed after eight weeks of using the beta glucan regimen twice a day. There was a 47 percent improvement in lines and wrinkles at the end of the study. Firmness and elasticity increased by 60 percent, and skin color improved by 26 percent. Skin renewal was increased by 34 percent compared to the control group.

 

The Cosmetic Products

A serum and a cream, containing beta glucan at a concentration of 10 mg per ounce were applied after using an exfoliating toner containing salicylic acid. Using an exfoliator prior to applying beta glucan was important: It removed the superficial layer of dead skin, thereby exposing more Langerhans cell extensions to the beta glucan.

Unlike other skin care product ingredients, beta glucan is actively drawn into the Langerhans cells. Best of all, beta glucan is perfectly safe to use topically. It actually helps skin that has been damaged by other topical skin chemicals. In 1991, researchers observed the anti-irritant effect of beta glucan when is was used in combination with otherwise severe, irritation-causing levels of lactic acid. Beta glucan also has a synergistic effect with retinoic acid (Retin-A), another anti-aging topical. Similar to antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-cancer treatments, beta glucan can actually enhance the effectiveness of Retin-A.

Another factor to consider when dealing with the skin is ultraviolet (UV) light. Langerhans cells in the skin are very sensitive to environmental factors, including UV light. We know that UV light can suppress the immune system. In fact, UV lights has been used to treat certain autoimmune skin diseases. Autoimmune conditions occur when the body's immune system attacks itself. (For more information on autoimmune conditions, refer to the question-and-answer section in Chapter Four.)

After even a brief exposure to UV light, the skin loses some Langerhans cells. This may explain at least partially how UV light undermines the immune system. When the first cell in the immune reaction chain is not in place, the rest of the immune system has trouble functioning. And, of course, this results in a higher rate of infections and tumors. We recommend the combination of a sunscreen and beta-glucan containing topical product.

Experiments with beta glucan indicate that it protects Langerhans cells after UV light exposure. In one study, a 0.05 percent external application of beta glucan prevented redness of the skin, skin cell damage, and depletion of Langerhans cells by more than 50 percent. Keep in mind, beta glucan does not act as a sunscreen. However, by protecting and stimulating the Langerhans cells, they become more resistant to damage. It also helps that beta glucan is such a powerful antioxidant and free-radical scavenger.

Not surprisingly, beta glucan also appears beneficial in cases of skin cancer, the most common type of human cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 9,000 people in the Untied States died of skin cancer in 1995. Nearly all the 800,000-plus cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer diagnosed each year in the untied States are due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It only makes sense that beta glucan is a useful tool in cases of skin cancer prevention and treatment.

Beta glucan has further benefits topically. The wound healing ability of beta glucan in general has been firmly established. One study compared several topical agents; only beta glucan showed any significant beneficial effect on actually healing the wound. The other over-the- counter and prescription products had no effect.

As the mass market catches up with the enthusiasm throughout the scientific community, we are sure to hear more about this powerful substance. Already, many major health magazines have recognized the benefits of beta glucan and the skin:

Beta glucan may, in fact be the first true anti-aging ingredient to go into moisturizers."
-Longevity

"a dynamic discovery that offers extraordinary benefits in whatever formulas include it."
-Let's Live

"an intriguing new 'youth' ingredient in skin boosting creams."
-Longevity

"The visible result is skin with enhanced vitality, which is smoother and more supple."
-Muscle and Fitness

"patients experienced and improvements in the quality and texture of their skin."
-Shape

"[Beta glucan] seems to challenge the skin to correct whatever is wrong"
-American Salon

 

Summary

The incredible and far-reaching benefits of beta glucan have been researched for decades. Today, beta glucan is proving to be a highly effective natural ingredient for both oral and topical use.

When combined with vitamin C, beta glucan is even more effective as the activated macrophage relies heavily on vitamin C to carry out its important functions. Research has shown that replenishing vitamin C loss at the time when you introduce beta glucan provides optimum benefit. Based on the new understanding of macrophage activation, the combination of beta glucan and vitamin C is the most advanced, preferred physiological application.

Specific questions on toxicity, dosage, quality, and other important issues still remain. Join us in the next chapter for a conversation designed to get some answers to the remaining questions about beta glucan.

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