Radiation

During radiation exposure, healthy cells as well diseased cells are killed indiscriminately. One of the most common causes of death after radiation are opportunistic bacterial infections that take hold when the immune system in compromised after irradiation. Studies done by the U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute showed that Glucan was able to protect macrophages (white blood cells) from free radical attack during radiation.

The Glucan also stimulated formation of blood cells in bone marrow after exposure to radiation, leading to significantly quicker recovery of the immune system.

In this study by Dr. Patchen, white blood cell counts of Beta Glucan treated animals recovered 4 days faster than control animals following a sublethal dose of radiation. The faster recovery time significantly improved survival from 0% in control animals to 50% in the animals treated with Beta Glucan who had been give a lethal dose of radiation [1].

One of the conclusions was that the Beta Glucan does was most effective one (1) day prior to irradiation. Dr. Patchen also suggested that beta-1,3-glucan should be considered as an effective way of rebuilding the immune system and preventing infection following chemotherapy and radiation in cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy

Studies have documented that Beta Glucan combined with Chemotherapy resulted in longer survival times in patients with advanced gastric and colorectal cancer [2]. Chemotherapy can suppress the immune system and leave the patient vulnerable to infections. Administration of Beta Glucan can stimulate quicker recovery of vital white blood cells to help protect the body from opportunistic infections.

In June of 2009, Italian researchers concluded: “there is renewed interest in the potential usefulness of beta-glucan as a radioprotective drug for chemotherapy, radiation therapy and nuclear emergencies, particularly because glucan can be used not only as a treatment, but also as a prophylactic (taken in advance for protection)"[3].