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Beta‑Glucan: Nature’s Immune Booster

Updated: Jun 29

What are Beta‑Glucans, Anyway?

When you hear “mushroom extract,” do you know what really makes it helpful? One of the superstar ingredients is beta‑glucan—a special kind of polysaccharide found in fungal cell walls . These long chains of sugars—mostly glucose—are linked by beta 1→3 and beta 1→6 glycosidic bonds . That’s what sets mushroom beta‑glucans apart!


How Beta‑Glucans Help Our Immune System

Our immune system recognizes beta‑glucans as helpful signals. These molecules bind to dectin‑1 and CR3 receptors on immune cells, like macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. They strengthen both:

  • Innate immunity (our first-line defenders)

  • Adaptive immunity (like antibody-making cells) 


Common Mushroom Sources of Beta‑Glucans

Here are some of the most popular mushrooms that pack beta‑glucan power:

  • Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) contain pleuran, a beta‑glucan shown to reduce colds in athletes and kids.

  • Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) contain lentinan, a well-studied beta‑glucan with anti‑tumor, antiviral, and immune‑boosting actions.

  • Maitake Mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) contain grifolan, with properties that help the immune system, fight diabetes, viruses, and tumors.

  • Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) contain ganoderan, which supports immunity, lowers blood sugar, and has antioxidant effects 



Science-Backed Health Benefits

Here’s what research shows:

  • Fewer infections: Oyster mushrooms help reduce upper respiratory illnesses .

  • Tumor support: Lentinan from shiitake mushrooms is used in some cancer treatments in Asia .

  • Immune balance: Beta‑glucans activate immune cells via dectin‑1 and CR3 receptors.

  • General health: They also support gut health, reduce allergies, lower cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.


Recent mouse studies suggest beta‑glucans may protect lungs during flu by calming inflammation.



What to Watch For as a Consumer

When shopping for mushroom extracts:

  • Look for “beta‑glucan content”, not just “polysaccharides.” 

  • Know the bonds matter: mushrooms have beta‑1→3 and 1→6 bonds, which give them immune strength .

  • Extraction quality matters! Only about 20 % of beta‑glucans are naturally soluble—extraction improves how your body can use them.


Vanmaya mushroom elixirs
Vanmaya mushroom elixirs

The Final Scoop

Beta‑glucans are glucose chains found in mushrooms, each with special branching patterns that help our immune system recognize and respond to them. When sourced well, from oyster, shiitake, maitake, or reishi—they can help defend us from illness, manage inflammation, and even support serious cases like cancer therapy.


But the magic lies in choosing the right extract—one that clearly states how much beta‑glucan you’re getting. That’s the best way to feel the true power of mushrooms.





Verified Sources on Beta Glucans & Mushroom Benefits

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine / PubMed Central (PMC) - Beta-glucans as immunomodulators https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308413

  2. MDPI – Molecules Journal - Immunomodulatory effects of beta-glucans from mushroomshttps://www.mdpi.com/2673-4176/5/3/16

  3. Frontiers in Pediatrics - Pleuran (beta-glucan from oyster mushroom) in children with cold symptoms https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.999701

  4. BioMed Central – Journal of Hematology & Oncology - Beta-glucan in cancer immunotherapy https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-8722-2-25

  5. ScienceDirect - Health benefits of beta-glucans: A review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889157515000733

  6. Verywell Health - Reishi Mushroom Benefits: The Medicinal Properties of Ganoderma lucidum https://www.verywellhealth.com/reishi-mushroom-benefits-8727644

  7. Health.com - 4 Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms https://www.health.com/shiitake-mushroom-benefits-8661291

  8. New York Post - This all-natural immunity booster can make flu symptoms less awful https://nypost.com/2025/02/24/health/mushrooms-could-make-the-flu-less-awful-heres-what-to-know

  9. Real Mushrooms Blog - Beta-D-Glucans and Their Role in Immunity https://www.realmushrooms.com/beta-d-glucan

  10. Beta-Glucans and Medicinal Mushrooms: What You Need to Know https://staywyldorganics.com/blogs/wyld-trybe/beta-glucans-and-medicinal-mushrooms

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