Evidence supporting the use of: Beta Glucans
For the health condition: Convalescence

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Beta glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of cereals, yeast, bacteria, and fungi. Their use to support convalescence—recovery after illness, surgery, or stress—is primarily supported by scientific research rather than traditional medicine. Beta glucans are known for their immunomodulatory properties, particularly their ability to stimulate the activity of macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, which play key roles in immune defense and tissue repair.

Several clinical and preclinical studies have shown that beta glucans can enhance immune function, reduce the risk of infection, and improve outcomes in patients recovering from surgery, trauma, or critical illness. Notably, a number of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that beta glucan supplementation may reduce postoperative infections and improve recovery parameters in surgical patients. There is also evidence from animal models that beta glucans may promote faster wound healing and modulate inflammatory responses during convalescence.

Despite this, the clinical evidence is not yet robust enough for unequivocal endorsement in all convalescent contexts. Most positive studies are small or focus on specific patient groups (e.g., surgical or critically ill). Large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are still needed to confirm these benefits more broadly. Nevertheless, the current body of scientific evidence justifies the use of beta glucans as an adjunct in supporting immune recovery and reducing complications during convalescence.

More about Beta Glucans
More about Convalescence

Other ingredients used for Convalescence

Aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
arabinogalactan
astaxanthin
astragalus
Beta-Glucan
bilberry
black currant
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chlorella
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
elderberry
eleuthero
fish protein
garlic bulb
ginger
gotu kola
grape
green tea
iron
L-Alanyl-L-glutamine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
milk
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
pollen
pomegranate
protein
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
reishi mushroom
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
vitamin C
vitamin D
whey protein
zinc
jiaogulan
bee pollen
lingzhi
haliotis
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
fulvic acid
goji berry
Algae
Alcohol
Animal Tissue
Antler
Ambergris
Auricularia
Albumin
Andrographis
Algal protein
Alkylglycerols
Animal protein
Butter
Blackthorn
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
Bird's nest
Chinese Mountain Ant
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Chinese Pond Turtle
Centella asiatica
Chicken
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
D-Ribose
Dipeptide
Egg
Elk antler
Euglena gracilis
Egg protein
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fat liver oil
Fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
Gnaphalium
Glutamine
Glucan peptides
Growth factors
Globulins
Glutathione
Hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB Hydroxymethylbutyrate
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
Lactalbumin
Lactoglobulin
Lipids
Mineral ascorbate
Marine Protein
Malt
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Polysaccharides
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rubia yunnanensis
Smartweed
Shark Liver Oil
Shellfish
Sarivan
Trametes

Products containing Beta Glucans

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.