Preface

Beta glucan has been used in Asia as immunostimulant, adaptogenic and detoxifying medicine. Goro Chihara, from Teikyo University in Kawasaki, Japan, first isolated β -glucan from mushroom shiitake and named it as lentinan in 1969. There are various natural sources of β -glucans such as reishi, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, barley fibers, oats and whole grains, seaweeds, algae; however, they are most frequently prepared from fungal cell walls. Beta glucan are polysaccharides that are composed of linear chains with (1 → 3)-β -d-glycosidic linkages or branched ones containing additional (1 → 6)-β -d-glycosidic linkages.

Global pandemic diseases such as COVID-19, which have resulted in severe case losses in all over the world, have made us much better understand the importance of health. In this sense, we have seen that keeping our immune system strong is a very important issue. Thanks to beta glucan supplement that strengthens the immune system, it is an important support for the body to cope with many diseases such as cancer, allergic diseases, upper respiratory tract obstruction, ear infections, and diabetes. β-Glucan has been used as an immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer since 1980, primarily in Japan. Yeast β -glucan is able to absorb mycotoxins (such as zearalenon, aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, and patulin), probably through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces; this β -glucan effect is important particularly for livestock. Certain cereals (barley, oats) and edible mushrooms decreased levels of serum cholesterol and liver low-density lipoproteins, leading to lowering of arteriosclerosis and heart disease hazards. In the central nervous system, β -glucans activate microglial cells. These cells act as scavengers of the brain cell debris and play a positive role in Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, and multiple sclerosis.

Briefly, β-Glucan provides diverse and impinge effects on the immune system. They are natural products useful in preventing various diseases, they have been highly sought after throughout human history. This book is an important source that showing the capabilities of beta glucan as a preventive and therapeutic against many diseases and providing you about the way of contribution of beta glucan for strengthening your immune system.