*Diabetes : Beta-glucan may help manage diabetes, a 2008 research review from Vascular Health and Risk Management suggests. Analyzing previous research on beta-glucan and diabetes, the review's authors found that dietary intake of beta-glucan may help protect against diabetes-related complications by controlling blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol, and keeping blood pressure in check.
*Cancer : Preliminary research indicates that beta-glucan may activate a number of cells and proteins that fight cancer (such as T-cells and natural killer cells). What's more, tests on animals have shown that beta-glucan may inhibit the spread of cancer cells. However, a 2009 report in the Journal of Hematology and Oncology cautions that there are "no good quality clinical trial data" for the effectiveness of beta-glucan in treating cancer.
* Cancer : Used in [[Immuno therapies]].
*Immunity : Currently, there is a lack of clinical trials supporting the claim that beta-glucan can rev up the immune system and stave off colds, flu, and other types of infection. However, some preliminary research suggests that beta-glucan may strengthen the immune system and knock out viruses. In a 2004 study from Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, for instance, tests on mice revealed that beta-glucan may offset the negative effects of exercise-induced stress and increase the immune system's defense against upper respiratory tract infections.
* allergies : beta glucan not only helps ease seasonal allergies, but also perennial allergies. It works year round!
==Food Sources==
Yeast and medicinal mushroom derived β-glucans are notable for their ability to modulate the immune system. One study has shown that insoluble (1,3/1,6) β-glucan, has greater biological activity than that of its soluble (1,3/1,4) β-glucan counterparts. The differences between β-glucan linkages and chemical structure are significant in regards to solubility, mode of action, and overall biological activity.