A large cluster of Shiitake mushrooms, a food source that is rich in Beta Glucans.

Scientific Evidence: Ingredient #16 - BETA GLUCANS

SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Research results

FOR SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE UPDATED TO JANUARY 2022, OBTAIN THE FOURTH EDITION OF 'AVD' (2022)

Natural Bioactive Compounds from Fungi as Potential Candidates for Protease Inhibitors and Immunomodulators to Apply for Coronaviruses - Nakarin Suwannarach, Jaturong Kumla, Kanaporn Sujarit, Thanawat Pattananandecha, Chalermpong Saenjum & Saisamorn Lumyong - Molecules (14 Apr. 2020):

“Fungi are a source of natural bioactive compounds that offer therapeutic potential in the prevention of viral diseases and for the improvement of human immunomodulation. Here, we made a brief review of the current findings on fungi as producers of protease inhibitors and studies on the relevant candidate fungal bioactive compounds that can offer immuno-modulatory activities as potential therapeutic agents of coronaviruses in the future.”

Possible Therapeutic Role of a Highly Standardized Mixture of Active Compounds derived from Cultured Lentinula Edodes Mycelia (AHCC) in Patients infected with 2019 Novel Coronavirus - Francesco Di Pierro, Alexander Bertuccioli & Ilaria Cavecchia - Minerva Gastroenterologica and Dietologica (Jun. 2020):

“AHCC is an α-glucan-based standardized mushroom extract that has been extensively investigated as an immunostimulant both in animals and/or in humans affected by West Nile virus, influenza virus, avian influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, papillomavirus, herpes virus, hepatitis B virus and HIV by promoting a regulated and protective immune response. Although the efficacy of AHCC has not yet been specifically evaluated with respect to SARS-CoV-2 disease, its action in promoting a protective response to a wide range of viral infections, and the current absence of effective vaccines, could support its use in the prevention of diseases provoked by human pathogenic coronavirus, including COVID-19.”

Could the Induction of Trained Immunity by β-Glucan Serve as a Defense Against COVID-19? - Anne Geller & Jun Yan - Frontiers in Immunology (14 Jul. 2020):

“Throughout the literature, it has been shown that the induction of TRIM using such inducers as the BCG vaccine and β-glucan can provide protection through altered immune responses against a range of viral infections. Here we hypothesize a potential role for β-glucan in decreasing worldwide morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, and posit several ideas as to how TRIM may actually shape the observed epidemiological phenomena related to COVID-19. We also evaluate the potential effects of β-glucan in relation to the immune dysregulation and cytokine storm observed in COVID-19. We also evaluate the potential effects of β-glucan in relation to the immune dysregulation and cytokine storm observed in COVID-19. Ultimately, we hypothesize that the use of oral β-glucan in a prophylactic setting could be an effective way to boost immune responses and abrogate symptoms in COVID-19, though clinical trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this treatment and to further examine differential effects of β-glucan's from various sources.”

The Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Natural Medicinal Herbs and Mushrooms and SARS-CoV-2 Infection - Fanila Shahzad, Diana Anderson & Mojgan Najafzadeh - nutrients (25 Aug. 2020):

“The extracts described in this review have been proven to possess great antiviral activities, with a general consensus of low toxicity. In addition, compared to commercial pharmaceuticals, such medicinal herbs are readily available and much cheaper. With the current pandemic, many scientists have rushed to the development of a potential vaccine and therapeutic agent that is effective against COVID-19; however, herbal agents should not be overlooked.”

“Overall, the results indicate the antiviral activity of LNT-1 [Shiitake Extract] and its regulation of the innate immune response. As previously said, the innate immune response is a critical factor for COVID-19 disease severity and disease outcome.COVID-19 patients exhibit high titres of inﬂammatory cytokines and so the eﬀects of LNT-1 should be considered on SARS-COV-2.”

β-Glucan Extracts from the same Edible Shiitake Mushroom Lentinus Edodes produce Differential In-Vitro Immunomodulatory and Pulmonary Cytoprotective Effects — Implications for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Immunotherapies - Emma J. Murphy, Claire Masterson, Emanuele Rezoagli, Daniel O'Toole, Ian Major, Gary D. Stack, Mark Lynch, John G. Laffey & Neil J. Rowan - Science of the Total Environment (25 Aug. 2020):

“Our findings demonstrate significant physicochemical differences between Lentinan extracts, which produce differential in vitro immunomodulatory and pulmonary cytoprotective effects that may also have positive relevance to candidate COVID-19 therapeutics targeting cytokine storm.”

Discover More

To learn more about Ingredient #16 (Beta Glucans) - and the 51 other dietary ingredients identified as exhibiting anti-viral and/or immune-enhancing properties - obtain a copy of the full report of AVD: The Anti-Viral Diet by pressing the button below:

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Earlier Scientific Evidence re: Beta Glucans

Anti-Viral / Immune Supportive Research

Antiviral Activity of Virus-like Particles from Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake) - M. Takehara, K. Kuida & K. Mori - Archives of Virology (Sep. 1979).

Antibacterial Activity of Lentinula Edodes grown in Liquid Medium - Noemia Kazue Ishikawa, Maria Catarina Megumi Kasuya & Maria Cristina Dantas Vanetti - Brazilian Journal of Microbiology (Aug-Oct. 2001).

Antiviral Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae beta-Glucan to Swine Influenza Virus by Increased Production of Interferon-Gamma and Nitric Oxide - K. Jung, Y. Ha, S-K. Ha, D.U. Han, D-W. Kim, W.K. Moon & C. Chae - Journal of Veterinary Medicine. B, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health (Mar. 2004).

The Pharmacological Potential of Mushrooms - Ulrike Lindequist, Timo H.J. Niedermeyer & Wolf-Dieter Jülich - Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Sep. 2005).

Polysaccharide and Extracts from Lentinula Edodes : Structural Features and Antiviral Activity - Vinicius Pires Rincão, Kristie Aimi Yamamoto, Nágila M.P.S. Ricardo & Sandra Soares - Virology Journal (Feb. 2012).

Immune-Enhancing Effects of Maitake (Grifola Frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula Edodes) Extracts - Vaclav Vetvicka & Jana Vetvickova - Annals of Translational Medicine (24 Feb. 2014).

Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology - Alena G. Guggenheim, Kirsten M. Wright & Heather L. Zwickey - Integrative Medicine [Encinitas] (Feb. 2014).

Glucan Supplementation enhances the Immune Response against an Influenza Challenge in Mice - Vaclav Vetvicka & Jana Vetvickova - Annals of Translational Medicine (Feb. 2015).

Consuming Lentinula Edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults - X. Dai, J.M. Stanilka, C.A. Rowe, E.A. Esteves, C. Nieves C. Jr, S.J. Spaiser, M.C. Christman, B. Langkamp-Henken & S.S. Percival - Journal of the American College of Nutrition (11 Apr. 2015).

Synergistic Immuno-modulatory Activity in Human Macrophages of a Medicinal Mushroom Formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake - Brody Mallard, David N. Leach, Hans Wohlmuth & Joe Tiralongo - PLoS One (7 Nov. 2019).

Bibliographic Research Information provided courtesy of The Academy of the Third Millennium (A3M) 2020

Dish with assorted vegetables - fennel, bean sprouts, broccoli - incl. Shiitake mushroom + soy sauce

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An 'Anti-Viral Diet' has been extensively corroborated by science and is gradually being accepted as an integral part of how people may protect themselves against viruses and treat viral illnesses - one other option to make use of alongside vaccines and antiviral medications. However, Food Science does not currently receive even 1% as much financing as pharmaceutical or vaccine-related research. 10% of the profit from sales of the 'AVD' book are being donated towards essential projects in Anti-Viral Dietary Research.