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Shiitake and beta-glucan

It is a mushroom cultivated for centuries in the Far East, where it is used as an immunostimulant and also as a general tonic. Among its various ingredients, the one considered most important is beta glucan. It is a polysaccharide with an interesting immunostimulating action. This immunostimulating action is non-specific, i.e. aimed at increasing the action of immunocompetent cells and not the production of antibodies.

Beta glucan is able to bind to specific glycoprotein receptors on the cell membrane of macrophages, activating them.  It stimulates the activity of macrophages, increasing their phagocytosis, i.e. their ability to engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi.  It also increases the production by these cells of cytokines, i.d.e.ubstances with a specific stimulating action on the immune system.

The interleukins most responsive to beta glucan are tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL1Beta), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 8 (IL8), interleukin 10 (IL10) and interleukin 12 (IL12).

Beta glucan is also active on NK cells, which are lymphocytes capable of destroying infected cells and stimulating macrophage activity through the production of gamma interferon. NK cells also destroy abnormal cells such as cancer cells and are in turn sensitive to certain cytokines produced by macrophages, which enhance their activity. Therefore, shiitake and the beta glucan it contains have valuable activity as non-specific immune system stimulants, enhancing the body's protection against infection.

It can be found in imoviral®