Evidence supporting the use of: Beta-Glucans
For the health condition: Cardiovascular Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of cereals (such as oats and barley), yeast, bacteria, and fungi. Their use to support cardiovascular health is primarily justified by scientific evidence, especially regarding their cholesterol-lowering effects. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that regular consumption of beta-glucans—particularly those derived from oats and barley—can reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels, both of which are established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanism is thought to involve the ability of beta-glucans to form a viscous gel in the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of dietary cholesterol and reabsorption of bile acids, thus promoting their excretion.
Regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have authorized health claims relating to oat and barley beta-glucans and the reduction of blood cholesterol, a recognized risk factor for CVD. However, while the cholesterol-lowering effect is well-established, there is less direct evidence that beta-glucan consumption reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks or strokes). Still, given the strong link between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk, beta-glucans are widely recognized as beneficial dietary components for supporting cardiovascular health.
Other ingredients used for Cardiovascular Disease
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
ajoene
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
astaxanthin
astragalus
basil
beet
berry flavor
bilberry
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cryptoxanthin
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
krill oil
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glycine
l-taurine
lactobacillus reuteri
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
motherwort
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nattokinase
nicotinamide riboside
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
pineapple
plant sterols
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
potassium
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
sterols
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
vitamin K
watermelon
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
gastrodia
capsicum
commiphora
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
yerba mate
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Alcohol
Arjuna
Animal Tissue
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Ardisia
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Acer Truncatum bunge
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Argan nut oil
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Bidens pilosa
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Brutieridin
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Betanin
berry
Brazil nut
boysenberry
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
banana
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Carnosine
Calycosin
Camelina Oil
Cashew
Cyanidin
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Chocolate
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Coumaric acid
Crocetin
Currant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Delphinidin
Date
Digitalis
Diosmetin
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
Eriocitrin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Ellagitannin
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Garlic
Glycine
Isoflavones
peanut
Pistachio
Soy Protein
walnut
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Beta-Glucans
Allergies (respiratory)Arthritis
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Diabetes
Eczema
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza