If you’re reading this, it probably means you’re interested in learning more about your cholesterol and how to improve it. Well, believe it or not, but our favorite way to manage cholesterol is with beta-glucan.

If your healthcare provider has recommended foods like oats and barley for heart health, then you’re actually already on the right track! Those foods have beta-glucan in them that helps absorb cholesterol particles in your digestive system. If you really want to reap the benefits of beta-glucan, however, you’ll want to use a high-quality, all-natural beta glucan supplement. 

If you’re a bit overwhelmed with information, don’t worry. Keep reading and we’ll break it down so you can get your cholesterol on the right track asap!

What is Cholesterol?

While the topic of cholesterol might immediately sound negative, cholesterol isn’t inherently bad. Yes, there are types that are more beneficial than others. However,  cholesterol is simply a substance your body uses to create new cells, make vitamins, and even produce hormones. It’s when you have too much cholesterol that problems arise.

Your liver technically creates all the cholesterol you need, but we get additional cholesterol from animal-based foods like meat, dairy, and poultry. The saturated and/or trans fats in these foods encourage your liver to produce extra cholesterol. Since cholesterol circulates in your bloodstream, having excess cholesterol poses several risks. Specifically, it increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The two types of cholesterol are LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). The former is considered “bad” cholesterol because it can accumulate in your arteries. When that happens, your arteries become narrow, and your risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease increases. Conversely, HDL is considered “good” cholesterol because it helps carry LDL cholesterol away from arteries and back to the liver. From there, the liver breaks it down and helps eliminate it from the body. 

While having a higher HDL is always preferred, the American Heart Association says “Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL.” That means HDL can’t eliminate all LDL cholesterol. If that’s the case, what are some natural ways to improve your cholesterol levels?

How to Naturally Manage Cholesterol

First, always speak with your doctor. They can run lab work to see exactly what your cholesterol levels are. Plus, they’re familiar with the rest of your medical history and can give you specific actions that may help in your unique situation.

If, however, you just want to make small changes to avoid cholesterol problems later, here are a few ways to promote healthier cholesterol levels:

• Quit smoking cigarettes. While most people focus on the respiratory benefits of ditching cigarettes (which are substantial), your HDL cholesterol will also improve.
• Do some type of physical activity every day. Even if it’s simply going on a walk or lifting light weights on the couch, staying active increases your HDL cholesterol.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. That means less saturated fats, eliminating trans fats, and adding foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber. This helps to lower LDL and increase HDL. Plus, several studies have linked higher Omega-3 levels with an increased life expectancy.
• Drink alcohol in moderation and skip binge drinking altogether.
• Take a nutrition supplement to ensure your body has what it needs to process and eliminate LDL cholesterol.

What is Beta-Glucan?

When it comes to managing cholesterol, our favorite supplement is beta-glucan. Like we mentioned earlier, you can find beta-glucan in foods like oats, barley, and even vegetables like mushrooms and seaweed. It’s also a soluble fiber! That means beta-glucan forms a gel-like substance in your digestive tract that slows digestion.

That may not sound like a good thing, but it’s surprisingly beneficial! As beta-glucan makes its way through your digestive system, it improves blood sugar by slowing the release of sugar into the bloodstream, stimulates immune cells in your gut, and it even absorbs cholesterol particles to help eliminate them from your body. 

If that’s the case though, why doesn’t eating lots of foods rich in beta-glucan have a more powerful effect?

Sourcing Matters for Beta-Glucan Supplements

Unfortunately, not all beta-glucan is created equal. The beta-glucan in most of the foods mentioned above is great if you regularly eat them. There have been several studies illustrating how oat consumption is associated with reduced LDL cholesterol levels. But you have to eat that way over a long period of time. We’re talking like eight weeks of eating a clean, heart-healthy diet before you’ll see the results you want.

If you’ve got clean eating down to a science, pat yourself on the back! But when life gets in the way of your nutritional goals, having a convenient and highly potent supplement helps fill any nutritional gaps. That’s why we use Beta-1, 3/1, 6-glucan in our Glucan85Plus supplement.

This type of beta-glucan is found in baker’s yeast and its molecular chain is particularly potent and effective. We always recommend eating a heart-healthy diet. However, knowing our simple, daily supplement includes a potent source of beta-glucan makes us confident we’re doing everything we can for our cholesterol and immune health.

How Does Beta-Glucan Promote Healthier Cholesterol?

Beta-glucan promotes healthier cholesterol by making it harder for your body to absorb cholesterol from food. Soluble fibers, like beta-glucan, form gel-like substances in your intestines. This means they digest more slowly and generally keep you fuller for longer. So, if you’ve ever wondered why nutritionists recommend oats to curb hunger, that’s why!

As it slowly moves through your stomach and intestines, beta-glucan helps eliminate LDL cholesterol particles so they’re less likely to get absorbed into your bloodstream. A meta-analysis even showed a significant inverse relation in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels after consuming beta-glucan. Basically, consuming beta-glucan helped lower bad cholesterol and unhealthy fats. Additionally, it also increased HDL cholesterol levels! Plus, if you’re trying to improve your cholesterol while overweight, the data is even more impressive. 

One study analyzed two groups of men with high BMIs and gave them the American Heart Association Step II diet for eight weeks. However, only one group was given foods with an additional 6 g of beta-glucan. After the eight weeks were up, researchers noted that while both groups saw a reduction in total cholesterol, “the beta-glucan fortified diet was significantly more effective.” 

Take Charge of Your Cholesterol With Beta-Glucan

While you can absolutely get beta-glucan from foods like oats and mushrooms, consider giving your cholesterol a jump-start with an all-natural, well-sourced supplement. 

Our Glucan85Plus uses 500mg of bioavailable beta-glucan in the optimal molecular chain for maximum benefits. Plus, while other supplements often only guarantee 70% purity, we promise a minimum of 85% purity. We’re passionate about wellness, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. 

Add Glucan85Plus to your routine and become a warrior for your health today!