How does yeast support the immune system?

When choosing products that can have a genuine impact on the body’s immune response, it can be difficult to navigate the latest trends in the supplement market. Beta-glucans have generated significant buzz for their potential health benefits, with yeast derived beta-glucans in particular being noted for their impact on immune function. Read on to discover how yeast beta-glucans can be used as an effective supplement for a balanced, nutritious diet.

What is a yeast beta-glucan?

Yeast beta-glucans are natural polysaccharides found in the cell walls of yeast, specifically Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (commonly known as baker's yeast). They are known for boosting the immune system response, helping to fight infections and improve overall health. Composed of glucose monomers linked together in a linear backbone with side chains, their unique structure contributes to their functional abilities. They also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which contribute to cholesterol management, and they promote gut health by acting as prebiotics. Due to these benefits, yeast beta-glucans are used in dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of beta glucans on the immune system¹ and overall health, with ongoing clinical trials² to further explore their potential in treating various diseases and conditions.

What are the benefits of yeast beta-glucans?

Yeast beta-glucans can have significant health benefits. They support the immune system by acting as immunomodulators, meaning they help regulate and enhance immune responses. Yeast beta-glucans also aid in the reduction of stress symptoms. 

Other benefits of yeast beta-glucans include:

• Contributing to cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol³ levels
• Acting as an antioxidant to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress⁴
• The cytokines, which are released when beta-glucans bind to specific receptors, also support energy production, red blood cell formation and nerve function⁵

How do yeast beta-glucans support the immune system?

Yeast beta-glucans stimulate receptors within the body to activate the immune system. Studies show that beta glucans are known to stimulate the body's defensive cells⁶, enhancing their ability to detect and defend against harmful pathogens. They work to protect against pathogens by promoting the production of signal proteins that regulate immune responses and inflammation⁷. This in turn leads to a more coordinated and efficient immune defence. 

NEIVA Glucan Max supports the immune system in a number of ways due to its yeast beta-1,3/1,6-glucan with a high degree of branching. It can activate key immune cells, stimulate phagocytosis, promote the production of cytokines and even enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. As well as having significantly more as many branching than other leading products, NEIVA Glucan Max’s insoluble, higher molecular weight enhances bioactivity³ by ensuring a better and more effective response from the body’s immune cells. 

Why not all beta-glucans are created equal?

Beta-glucans can be found in a variety of sources, such as oats, barley, mushrooms and algae. However, not all beta-glucans are the same: yeast beta-glucans have a higher degree of molecular branching than beta-glucans from other sources. This unique molecular structure is crucial to their functionality and biological activity leading to a stronger more effective immune response. For example, with its higher degree of branching and insoluble molecular weight, NEIVA Glucan Max stands out for its enhanced ability to boost phagocytosis, the immune system’s first line of defence against bacteria. It also efficiently stimulates cytokine production and triggeres a notable rise in antibody levels. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, NEIVA Glucan Max can be incorporated into powder blends, pastes or emulsions when formulating functional foods or dietary supplements. Being insoluble, it can also be dispersed into liquids or lipids. 

Yeast beta-glucans can also be combined with MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides) powder to supports overall health and vitality, fueling both body energy reserves and improving immune function. NEIVA MCT Immune combines the natural duo of functional lipids and high-quality yeast beta-glucan providing a holistic approach to wellness.

Yeast beta-glucan applications for immune support

Yeast beta-glucans can be used in dietary supplements to support and stimulate the body's immune response. They can also be incorporated into sports nutrition, helping to bolster the immune system to maintain a healthy and active diet, aiding in the body’s recoverability following exercise. Functional foods are also a great way to introduce beta-glucans into the every day diet, as they can be incorporated into drinks, baked food, protein bars or healthy snacks. 

NEIVA Glucan Max can be effectively adapted into a variety of applications due to its insolubility. 

This means that it can be easily dispersed into liquids and lipids through high shear mixing. The mixing process creates a fine emulsion that can be utilised in a variety of applications and dosage forms: powder blends, pastes or emulsions for convenient distribution. 

With a range of scientifically-backed health benefits, yeast beta-glucans play a vital role in supporting the body’s immune system. Keen to find out more about how NEIVA yeast beta-glucans for immune support can be incorporated into your products? Contact us today to speak to our team of experts. 

References

1. Auinger A, Riede L, Bothe G, Busch R, Gruenwald J. Yeast (1,3)-(1,6)-beta-glucan helps to maintain the body's defence against pathogens: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicentric study in healthy subjects. doi: 10.1007/s00394-013-0492-z. Epub 2013 Jan 23. PMID: 23340963; PMCID: PMC3832763.
2. Vetvicka V, Richter J, Svozil V, Rajnohová Dobiášová L, Král V. Placebo-driven clinical trials of yeast-derived β-(1-3) glucan in children with chronic respiratory problems. Ann Transl Med. 2013 Oct;1(3):26. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2013.07.01. PMID: 25332970; PMCID: PMC4200675.
3. Murphy EJ, Rezoagli E, Major I, Rowan NJ, Laffey JG. β-Glucan Metabolic and Immunomodulatory Properties and Potential for Clinical Application. J Fungi (Basel). 2020 Dec.  doi: 10.3390/jof6040356
4. Zabriskie HA, Blumkaitis JC, Moon JM, Currier BS, Stefan R, Ratliff K, Harty PS, Stecker RA, Rudnicka K, Jäger R, et al. Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation Downregulates Markers of Systemic Inflammation after Heated Treadmill Exercise. Nutrients. 2020; 12(4):1144. doi:10.3390/nu12041144
5. Kim HS, Hong JT, Kim Y, Han SB. Stimulatory Effect of β-glucans on Immune Cells. Immune Netw. 2011 Aug;11(4):191-5. doi: 10.4110/in.2011.11.4.191. Epub 2011 Aug 31. PMID: 22039366; PMCID: PMC3202617.
6. De Marco Castro E, Calder PC, Roche HM. β-1,3/1,6-Glucans and Immunity: State of the Art and Future Directions. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2021 Jan;65(1):e1901071. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201901071.
7. Walachowski, Sarah. Breyne, Koen. Secher, Thomas. Cougoule, Celine, et al. Oral supplementation with yeast β-glucans improves the resolution of Escherichia coli-associated inflammatory responses independently of monocyte/macrophage immune training. Front. Immunol, Nutritional Immunology. Volume 13, 2022. doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1086413