Abstract
Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an immunostimulant and potential drug. This paper represents an up-to-date review of glucans (β-1,3-glucans) and their role in various immune reactions and the treatment of cancer. With more than 80 clinical trials evaluating their biological effects, the question is not if glucans will move from food supplement to widely accepted drug, but how soon.
Highlights
Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention as an important food supplement, and as an immunostimulant and potential drug
Experts began to understand that every infectious disease is accompanied by a reduction of food intake and the eventual changes in food composition, both of which result in substantial changes or even inhibition of numerous immune functions
Molecules 2019, 24, 1251 elements, and probiotic yogurts strongly support the assumption that therapeutic effects are not unambiguous and nutritional supplements play no supportive role in the treatment of certain ongoing infections [6]
Summary
Despite a long history of research, the question of why to use dietary supplements remains. The oldest research in nutritional immunity focused mainly on determining the optimal composition of nutrients and used this information in the prevention of infectious diseases and to support the medical treatment of ongoing diseases. There are many infectious diseases that are accompanied by malabsorption of nutrients, which is not surprising, as malnutrition is considered to be the main cause of immunodeficiencies. The conclusions of the studies published from 1966 until 2006 related to nutritional support of anti-infectious immunity via food supplementation by various vitamins and multivitamins, trace. Molecules 2019, 24, 1251 elements, and probiotic yogurts strongly support the assumption that therapeutic effects are not unambiguous and nutritional supplements play no supportive role in the treatment of certain ongoing infections [6].
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