Introduction To glucans

Generally, β -glucan is a chemical name of a polymer of β -glucose. The therapeutic effect of β-glucans (beta-glucan) has long been known. Mushrooms are sacred food in ancient Egypt and used for prolonging life three thousand years ago. The medicinal usage of mushrooms that are a major source for β-glucans were mentioned in the texts in India dating back 500 years [1]. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends an intake of 3 g/day of β-glucan as cholesterol-reducing foodstuffs in 1997 [2]. American Diabetes Association (ADA) pointed that main aim should be kept the LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) level less than 2.6 mmol/l (100 mg/dl) in individuals without overt cardiovascular disease (CVD). It also has a strong anti-oxidative property which helps in overcoming the problem of oxidative stress of the human body. β-glucan also reduces the chronic fatique syndrome and inhibits the cancer development....