Beta Glucan as surrogate for GcMAF /macrophage activator?, any experiences, opinions?
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nanonug
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You are right, it's probably not. I ended up ordering Transfer Point Beta 1, 3-D glucan. Cost about the same and it is way more powerful (500mg/cap versus 10mg for the other - not sure I understand the discrepancy, though...)
adreno
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They make a case for why their beta glucan is more effective:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1472-765X.2002.01201.x/pdf
nanonug
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Thank you for doing the "legwork" for me, adreno. After I finish the Transfer Point product, I'll try a full bottle of NSC-100 to see if I notice any difference.
nanonug
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OK, found this paper by Vaclav Vetvicka. It appears that Transfer Point's Glucan #300 comes out ahead:
Beta-1,3-Glucan: Silver Bullet or Hot Air
Beta-1,3-Glucan: Silver Bullet or Hot Air
adreno
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It does look like that. I don't know how to evaluate the research; it seems very complex. Let me know what you think of the Transfer Point brand.
BTW, I got inspired by your avatar
nanonug
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BTW, I got inspired by your avatar
Eeheheh, let me say that your avatar appears slightly more "evolved" than mine!
I used beta glucans for a while a few years ago. I got a significant increase in energy for about a month and a half, and then I started feeling much worse, with a lot more pain and inflammation. At first I did not connect the worsening with the beta glucans, because I had been told that it couldn't have any negative effects – and I was naïve enough at that time to believe that. Finally it occurred to me that I might stop it and see what happened, and I immediately started feeling better. Later I read that beta glucans can also increase certain cytokines; I think it was IL-6? Anyway, that won't necessarily happen to everyone, obviously, but I wanted to point that out in case anyone who is taking it starts to feel worse.
Ellen
Ellen
nanonug
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Beta glucan "simulates" a yeast infection. As such, your immune system is induced to prepare itself for war. When this happens, however, your immune system will "trounce" anything foreign in sight. Isn't this what you wanted to happen?
I was reading about it in Singleton's book "The Lyme Disease Solution".
He says that beta glucan is ingested by the macrophages. It helps them make all they need to kill microbes. It also helps reduce excessive inflammation, autoimmunity and free radical damage.
He says that beta glucan is ingested by the macrophages. It helps them make all they need to kill microbes. It also helps reduce excessive inflammation, autoimmunity and free radical damage.
Timaca
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Here is some info on beta glucan that I've read:
Dietary modulation of immune function by Beta glucans: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938407004702
Immune modulating effects of Beta glucan: http://journals.lww.com/co-clinicalnutrition/Abstract/2010/11000/Immune_modulating_effects_of___glucan.10.aspx
Beta Glucan info, Dr. Vetvicka's lab: http://glucan.us/glucanfaq.html
An evaluation of the immunological activities of commercially available B-1,3 glucans http://glucan.us/Glucan1-2007.pdf
A comparison of injected and orally administered Beta glucans: http://hopeforcancer.com/research/JANA2008.pdf
B-glucans History and the Present: Immunomodulatory Aspects and Mechanisms of Action: http://glucan.us/vetvickaglucan1.pdf
Wikipedia: (some of the research mentioned here is very interesting) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-glucan
I have tried the Jarrow brand and the Transfer Point brand. I'm sticking with the Jarrow brand because I started it first and it really seemed to help. I had better days until I had to take an antibiotic for a UTI. Now, I'm recovering from the "herx" or whatever happens to me when I take antibiotics.
Best, Timaca
Dietary modulation of immune function by Beta glucans: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938407004702
Immune modulating effects of Beta glucan: http://journals.lww.com/co-clinicalnutrition/Abstract/2010/11000/Immune_modulating_effects_of___glucan.10.aspx
Beta Glucan info, Dr. Vetvicka's lab: http://glucan.us/glucanfaq.html
An evaluation of the immunological activities of commercially available B-1,3 glucans http://glucan.us/Glucan1-2007.pdf
A comparison of injected and orally administered Beta glucans: http://hopeforcancer.com/research/JANA2008.pdf
B-glucans History and the Present: Immunomodulatory Aspects and Mechanisms of Action: http://glucan.us/vetvickaglucan1.pdf
Wikipedia: (some of the research mentioned here is very interesting) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-glucan
I have tried the Jarrow brand and the Transfer Point brand. I'm sticking with the Jarrow brand because I started it first and it really seemed to help. I had better days until I had to take an antibiotic for a UTI. Now, I'm recovering from the "herx" or whatever happens to me when I take antibiotics.
Best, Timaca
adreno
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I've got a cold and sinusitis that's lasted more than ten days now, while taking the NSC-100. It doesn't seem to be much help. I've just doubled my dose to 20mg. I have also ordered a bottle of Transfer Point BG to compare effects.
adreno
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Both the 20mg NSC and 500mg Transfer Point BG seem to cause some side effects in me, notably nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, slight headache, some depression and anxiety, and a general spaced out feeling. Didn't feel anything at all on 10mg NSC.
The side effects are unpleasant, but not intolerable. Did anyone else experience these effects? I guess these sides are to be expected with increased immune system activity. Question is, will they subside over time?
I feel it's always hard to discern if effects are advantageous (as in the immune system fighting off some pathogen) or detrimental (as in causing unnecessary inflammation). Any input would be appreciated.
The side effects are unpleasant, but not intolerable. Did anyone else experience these effects? I guess these sides are to be expected with increased immune system activity. Question is, will they subside over time?
I feel it's always hard to discern if effects are advantageous (as in the immune system fighting off some pathogen) or detrimental (as in causing unnecessary inflammation). Any input would be appreciated.
nanonug
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The only "side-effect" I am getting from taking three different immune stimulants (including TF BG) is a "flu-like" feeling but without the fever. Mostly, it's muscle soreness with some additional fatigue.
I've had negative results BG and TF so don't assume "flu-like" symptoms, muscle soreness, extra fatigue is somehow a good sign that the immune system is working to fight something off. It could be just an immune response that increases inflammation and make you worse off in the end. It's a shot in the dark for some of us.
nanonug
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BG and TF gave me a complete relapse. I was not fighting a known infection, was functioning at 80% (ME for 21yrs) and decided to try them and put up with the viral-like symptoms for a couple of months. That was 12yrs ago and I never went back to baseline. I am now worse off than before. The virologist told me I had an "immune response" and to should stay away from the stuff.
adreno
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That sounds terrible. I've been suffering for about a week now, and my intuition tells me it's not gonna pass, at least while I stay on it. I have scoured the net for any reports of adverse effects of beta glucan, but have been unable to find any. It's supposed to have no side effects. I am thinking that my reaction isn't necessarily a good one, and that "pushing through" might not be a great idea. I'm not sure what to do at this point, but it sounds like a risk to continue.