We've all surely heard of the fibers and how good they are and how important they are for our body; exist two categories main fibers: soluble and insoluble and within each of these categories there are several types.
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What is beta-glucan?
Il beta-glucan is a form of soluble dietary fiber strongly linked to the improvement of levels of cholesterol and heart health; like many fibers, it is available in supplement form but is also found in Whole grains, oats, bran, wheat and barley.
Why do we need fiber?
Our body obtains fiber through the plant foods that are eaten; soluble fibers, such as beta-glucan, partially dissolve in water, while the insoluble ones do not dissolve at all.
Most foods contain both types of fiber, but in different amounts. Fiber supports good health by helping the body reduce cholesterol and control cholesterol blood sugar levels; it also helps with constipation problems, keeps intestinal bacteria healthy and aids in weight control.
Men and women aged 50 and under should eat respectively 38 and 25 grams of fiber per day.
What are the benefits of beta-glucan?
- Heart healthThere is evidence that this fiber helps improve heart health by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Levels of cup sugar in the blood: beta-glucan can help reduce the risk of 2 type diabetes and improves blood glucose control in people who already have diabetes.
- Stimulates the immune system: Beta-glucan may be able to help the body fight disease and infections more effectively.
How does beta-glucan work?
This fiber slows down the transit of food in the intestine; this means that the body takes longer to digest food.
Slower digestion means the body absorbs sugar more slowly, avoiding blood sugar spikes.
Beta-glucan cannot be digested, so it passes through the entire digestive tract and, while doing so, eliminates cholesterol, lowering its levels.
Is it safe for health?
Beta-glucan it is found naturally in some foods and it is considered safe; if you choose to take supplements, you always have to first contact your doctor and make sure they come from a reliable source.
Individuals with certain conditions such as: lupus, multiple sclerosis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease must pay close attention to beta-glucan supplements as their immune system is already overactive.
Side effects of beta-glucan
The few side effects of beta-glucan include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Threw up
If your doctor needs to inject beta-glucan directly into your bloodstream, other side effects may occur, including:
- Backache
- Articolar pains
- Skin rashes
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
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