Recent research has shed light on the effects of β‐glucan oligosaccharides and polysaccharides on cholesterol levels and overall health. This study not only confirms previous findings regarding the safety of these supplements but also explores their long-term benefits.
Notably, two weeks after completing the supplementation, cholesterol levels remained significantly reduced compared to the baseline only in the oligosaccharide group, indicating a more enduring impact.
Moreover, after 12 weeks, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the oligosaccharide group showed a significant decrease, with this reduction lasting for two weeks post-intervention. The polysaccharide group did not exhibit a similar outcome.
This study builds on earlier findings, where both oligosaccharides and polysaccharides were deemed safe in a two-week trial.
The current trial elaborates on these findings, showcasing long-term safety and effectiveness over a span of 12 weeks.
As noted in Food Science and Nutrition, the researchers stated, “To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal differential safety and efficacy profiles between β‐Glucan oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, with the oligosaccharides showing a more favorable profile.”
Two Intervention Groups, One Placebo
This research was conducted as a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 96 healthy participants aged 20 to 55. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either β‐glucan oligosaccharides, β‐glucan polysaccharides, or placebo capsules.
The β‐glucan polysaccharides were derived from the fermentation of the fungus Ophiocordyceps dipterigena BCC 2073, followed by gamma irradiation to generate β‐glucan oligosaccharides.
Manufactured by Asia Star Trade, the β-glucan capsules were also partially funded by the same organization.
Participants consumed the assigned product daily at a dose of 2000 mg over a duration of 12 weeks.
Data collection on lipid profiles, urinalysis, blood pressure, adverse symptoms, and defecation patterns occurred at weeks 4, 8, 12, and again two weeks following supplementation.
Lipid-Lowering Effect
After 12 weeks, total cholesterol levels were significantly lower for both β‐glucan oligosaccharides and polysaccharides when compared to baseline values.
However, by week 14, only those in the oligosaccharide group exhibited reduced cholesterol levels compared to their initial values.
Additionally, oligosaccharide intake over 12 weeks resulted in a notable drop in LDL levels compared to baseline, with this effect continuing for two weeks after the intervention. In contrast, no significant changes were recorded for the polysaccharide group.
“Compared to polysaccharides, β‐glucan oligosaccharides are associated with fewer adverse effects and superior lipid-lowering efficacy,” the researchers noted.
The researchers hypothesized that glucans may bind to bile acids or enhance intestinal viscosity, which could decrease bile acid reabsorption and increase fecal bile acid excretion. This mechanism may prompt the body to draw more cholesterol from the bloodstream to produce additional bile acids, thereby lowering overall cholesterol levels.
Defecation Results
In their analysis of defecation patterns, researchers found that the polysaccharides group reported significantly more changes compared to the control group. These variations included both beneficial and adverse effects.
Positive outcomes encompassed improved ease of defecation and increased bowel movement frequency for those experiencing constipation, while negative effects included instances of constipation and loose stools. All reported symptoms were mild.
The researchers highlighted that β‐glucans are soluble fibers known to influence bowel movements.
They concluded, “Our findings suggest that β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan oligosaccharides produced through gamma irradiation were associated with fewer adverse events compared to β‐glucan polysaccharides.”
Safety
Aside from defecation-related symptoms, no adverse events or changes in body weight, liver or kidney function, blood counts, blood glucose levels, urinalysis, or electrocardiograms were noted in any of the groups throughout the study.
These findings suggest that daily supplementation with 2000 mg of either β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan oligosaccharides or polysaccharides over 12 weeks is safe for healthy individuals. The oligosaccharides were linked to enhanced lipid-lowering efficacy and fewer adverse events compared to the polysaccharides.
Importantly, this study lays the groundwork for establishing an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for fungal glucan oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.
Currently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) defines the ADI for yeast β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan polysaccharides as 375 mg/day for food supplements and 600 mg/day for specific nutritional uses.
The researchers noted that there are no established safety limits for β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan oligosaccharides; additionally, β‐glucan derived from Ophiocordyceps dipterigena is classified as a novel food.
Given that this trial demonstrated a daily dose of 2000 mg is safe, the researchers recommend future clinical trials to further assess the efficacy of β‐glucan oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in consumer products.
Source: Food Science & Nutrition, 14(3), e71379. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.71379. “Differential Safety and Lipid Control Efficacy of β-1,3/1,6-Glucan Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides Derived from Ophiocordyceps dipterigena BCC 2073 in Healthy Volunteers.” Authors: Rungraung, N. et al.
