Biomedical issues of dietary fiber beta-glucan.
Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide in the form of fiber and the main element of fiber in grains such as barley, oats, yeast and mushrooms. Many studies have examined the efficacy of beta-glucan in terms of the lipid lowering effects, blood sugar reduction, weight reduction, immune modulator, and anticarcinogenic effect. However, there is no comprehensive review article on the biomedical issues regarding beta-glucan. The authors searched for systematic reviews and clinical experiments for each relevant topic and reviewed the biomedical effects of beta-glucan, for the purpose of developing research strategies for the future.
Kim
Soo Young
SY
Department of Family Medicine, Hallym University, College of Medicine, Chunchon, Korea.
Song
Hong Ji
HJ
Lee
Yoon Young
YY
Cho
Kyung-Hwan
KH
Roh
Yong Kyun
YK
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D047071:beta-Glucans; D002784:Cholesterol