Introduction
Beta-glucan is a nutrient found in oats, barley, and some mushrooms. It can also be taken as a pill or powder. Beta-glucan has been used to lower cholesterol and to help the body fight illness.
Dosages
3 to 15 grams once per day
What Research Shows
Likely Effective
- Heart Disease Prevention —likely to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol A1, A2
- Diabetes —likely to lower blood glucose B1-B3
- High Cholesterol —likely to lower total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol C1-C3
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to take beta-glucan in small doses for a short period. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
- Review Date: 07/2019 -
- Update Date: 09/09/2019 -