Dear Friend,

Who didn't get sick at least once this winter? Kids, parents, even people who "never" get sick seemed to have come down with some form of a cold, flu, sinus infection or all three. Statistics show that nearly every adult gets at least one cold per year, with most averaging two to four. 5% to 20% of the population contracts the flu virus annually. If you travel for business or pleasure, staying healthy can be even more of a challenge. One in five people catch a cold within a week of flying.

Defending Yourself Against the Next Cold or Flu

So how do you and your family stay healthy when germs are on the phones at work, the recirculated air on a plane and your child's desk at school? Many of us take antioxidant vitamins to strengthen the immune system, but in an environment where exposure to viruses, bacteria and toxic pollutants is almost constant, we have to be on the lookout for new and better natural solutions for protecting our bodies against sickness and disease. Beta 1,3/1,6 glucan is the best one I know.

What Is Beta Glucan?

Technically, beta 1,3/1,6 glucan is a highly refined carbohydrate made up of a string of glucose molecules, derived and purified from the cell walls of common baker's yeast.

How Does Beta Glucan Work?

A major component of the immune system is a white blood cell known as a macrophage cell. Its name literally means "big eater" and a large part of what macrophages do is devour invading pathogens. They also release other important enzymes, proteins and lipids that stimulate and activate secondary immune system cells.

In the 1960s, it was discovered that macrophage cells have receptor sites specifically for beta glucan, as if nature intended for us to use beta glucan to boost immunity. When beta glucan binds to these receptors, it strengthens and "primes" the macrophage to be ready for action. Other immune system cells, such as NK (natural killer) cells, also have specific receptors for beta glucan. This gives beta glucan the unique ability to strengthen almost every aspect of the human immune system.

Widespread Benefits

Stimulated into action by beta glucan, macrophage and natural killer cells are able to move from the peripheral blood stream to wherever they are needed most, actually "seeking out" foreign invaders and devouring pathogens as well as cells damaged through oxidation. They are able to recognize and kill tumor cells and speed up recovery of damaged tissue. In the oral cavity, a high concentration of macrophage cells makes beta glucan especially effective in helping prevent gum disease and health complications caused by oral bacteria. Beta glucan has also been shown effective in protecting the skin against harmful environmental pollutants, chemicals and UV radiation, in increasing the skin's ability to heal itself and in reducing visible signs of aging like wrinkles. The optimal dose of beta glucan can even increase the number of immune cells in the bloodstream. The end result is a dramatic intensification of the body's ability to defend itself against a wide range of pathogenic challenges.

What To Look For In A Supplement

Substantial research demonstrates that due to differences in molecular structure, yeast beta glucan has far superior immune-enhancing benefits than oat and barley beta glucans. Mushroom-based glucans have immune-enhancing benefits similar to yeast, but they have a much lower beta-glucan content and are more difficult to process and purify.

The challenge in finding the right yeast-based beta glucan supplement is that it is technically difficult to extract and process in such a way that it is effective. Molecules must remain intact and be of optimum size in order to be accessible to the human immune system. Purity and solid research are the important factors in choosing a beta glucan product.

We've Done the Research

After years of searching, we have finally found a beta glucan we believe in enough to offer to you. We've already added it to many of our skin care formulas. Now, we also offer the supplement under the label Life Source Basics Immune Support System.

In independent laboratory testing, some beta glucan products tested contained less than 25% of the beta glucan claimed on their label. Only Life Source Basics exceeded its label claim. In a study of the supplement's safety published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was "well tolerated" by men who consumed 60 times the recommended daily dosage for 12 weeks without adverse effects. And of course, I take it and was illness free this winter.

In Good Health,