Beta-Glucans and Cancer

Unlocking the Power of Beta-Glucan in the Fight Against Cancer

Updated 09/14/2025
Researched and Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist and founder of Prevail Over Cancer

In the journey to Prevail Over Cancer, understanding the role of nutrition and natural compounds can be a game-changer in enhancing treatment outcomes and overall well-being. Among these, beta-glucan stands out for its remarkable health benefits, particularly in supporting individuals battling cancer.

What is Beta-Glucan?

Beta-glucan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the cell walls of cereals, bacteria, and fungi, with oats and barley being rich sources. Known for its immune-enhancing properties, beta-glucan has captured the attention of both the scientific community and those seeking to support their health through natural means.

A Beacon of Hope for Cancer Patients

Research has illuminated the potential of beta-glucan as a powerful ally in the fight against cancer. Here's how it can make a difference:

1. Immune System Support: Beta-glucan acts as an immunomodulator, helping to strengthen the body's immune defense mechanisms. By enhancing the activity of immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells, it empowers the body to fight against cancerous cells more effectively.
2. Enhancing Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments: Studies suggest that when used alongside conventional cancer treatments, beta-glucan may improve their efficacy. This is thought to be due to its ability to target and weaken cancer cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation.
3. Supporting Longevity: Emerging evidence indicates that cancer patients incorporating beta-glucan into their regimen may experience improved survival rates. This is attributed to its immune-boosting and anti-tumor properties, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapy in cancer care.
4. Quality of Life: Beta-glucans can significantly enhance quality of life during cancer treatment by modulating immune function, reducing treatment-related fatigue, and improving resistance to infections. Clinical studies have shown that β-glucans may help stabilize blood counts during chemotherapy, support mucosal healing, and even improve emotional well-being through their effects on systemic inflammation and gut microbiota balance.

Cancers Studied with β-Glucans

Food Sources of Beta-Glucan

Incorporating beta-glucan into your diet is a proactive step towards harnessing its benefits. Rich sources include:

• Oats and Barley: A bowl of oatmeal or barley soup can be a comforting, nutritious way to start your day or warm up your evenings.
• Mushrooms: Varieties like shiitake, maitake, turkey tail, and reishi are not only delicious but also packed with beta-glucan.
• Seaweeds and Algae: Adding a unique flavor and texture to dishes, these sea vegetables are another excellent source.

 
Click here to learn how to select quality supplements. 

Beta-glucan Supplement Sources

Most β-glucan supplements are better absorbed when taken on an empty stomach—ideally at least one hour before or two hours after eating. This timing helps minimize interference from dietary fats, fiber, and other nutrients that may hinder β-glucan’s interaction with gut-associated immune receptors like Dectin-1 and CR3. Enhanced absorption under fasting conditions may improve systemic immune activation and therapeutic efficacy, especially in oncology protocols. However, some formulations are designed for co-administration with food, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s label instructions when available.

Since I can’t consistently consume foods with beta-glucan, I choose to take a couple of supplements.

• Beta-glucan is an ingredient in Pathway #4: I take 2 capsules twice daily about 15 minutes before meals.
  Click or tap here to learn more about Pathway #4.
• I also take Beta-glucan 250 mg: 1 daily, on an empty stomach.
  Click or tap here to learn more about Jarrow Beta-glucan.

Beta-glucan and Cancer: A Note of Caution

While beta-glucan offers promising benefits, it's essential to approach its use thoughtfully, especially for those undergoing cancer treatment. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to ensure it complements your treatment plan safely and effectively. Learn about my Cancer Coaching Sessions.

Embracing a Holistic Approach

At Prevail Over Cancer, I believe in empowering our community with knowledge and resources to support their health and well-being. Incorporating beta-glucan into your diet, alongside a balanced lifestyle and conventional treatments, can be a decisive step in your cancer journey.

Remember, you're not alone in this fight. Together, with the correct information and support, we can prevail over cancer.

Notices
This information is for educational purposes. As with any information on the internet and social media, you should consult with your healthcare providers before making changes in your treatment program.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Beta-Glucan Cancer Reference Sources Include

Wold CW, Christopoulos PF, Arias MA, et al. Fungal polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus are agonists for Toll-like receptors and induce macrophage anti-cancer activity. Commun Biol. 2024;7(1):222. Published 2024 Feb 23. doi:10.1038/s42003-024-05853-y https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10891174/

Zhou G, Liu H, Yuan Y, Wang Q, Wang L, Wu J. Lentinan progress in inflammatory diseases and tumor diseases. Eur J Med Res. 2024;29(1):8. Published 2024 Jan 3. doi:10.1186/s40001-023-01585-7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10763102/

Zhang M, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Tian Q. Mushroom polysaccharide lentinan for treating different types of cancers: A review of 12 years clinical studies in China. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2019;163:297-328. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.013 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877117319300341?via%3Dihub

Chang Y, Zhang M, Jiang Y, et al. Preclinical and clinical studies of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide as an immunotherapeutic in China. Discov Med. 2017;23(127):207-219. https://www.discoverymedicine.com/Yajing-Chang-2/2017/04/coriolus-versicolor-polysaccharopeptide-as-an-immunotherapeutic-in-china/

Jurado LF, Daman AW, Li Z, et al. A fungal-derived adjuvant amplifies the antitumoral potency of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin via reprogramming granulopoiesis. Immunity. Published online June 1, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2025.05.026  

Ostadrahimi, A., Esfahani, A., Jafarabadi, M. A., Ziaei, J. E., Movassaghpourakbari, A., & Farrin, N. (2014). Effect of Beta Glucan on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 4(Suppl 1), 471. https://doi.org/10.5681/apb.2014.070

Upadhyay, T. K., Trivedi, R., Khan, F., Ahmed, L., Pandey, P., Sharangi, A. B., Alshammari, N., Abdullah, N. M., Yadav, D. K., & Saeed, M. (2022). In vitro elucidation of antioxidant, antiproliferative, and apoptotic potential of yeast-derived β-1,3-glucan particles against cervical cancer cells. Frontiers in Oncology, 12, 942075. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.942075

Wang, M., Pan, J., Xiang, W., You, Z., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., & Zhang, A. (2024). β-glucan: A potent adjuvant in immunotherapy for digestive tract tumors. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, 1424261. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1424261

Seyed Mostafa Noorbakhsh Varnosfaderani, Farnoosh Ebrahimzadeh, Mahsa Akbari Oryani, Saeed Khalili, Faezeh Almasi, Reza Mosaddeghi Heris, Zahra Payandeh, Chen Li, Mohsen Nabi Afjadi, Armina Alagheband Bahrami; Potential promising anticancer applications of β-glucans: a review. Biosci Rep 31 January 2024; 44 (1): BSR20231686. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20231686

Isoda, et al., “Clinical Efficacy of Superfine Dispersed Lentinan, No. Beta-1,3-Glucan) in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma,” Hepatogastroenterology, Vol. 56, No. 90, 2009, pp. 437-441. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=618777

X, H., Q, R., X, L., A, X., L, Z., M, J., L, B., D, P., J, W., B, S., & G, L. (2024). Candida albicans-Derived β-Glucan as a Novel Modulator of Tumor Microenvironment: Targeting Macrophage Polarization and Inducing Ferroptosis in Lung Cancer. Journal of Inflammation Research, Volume 17, 10479-10494. https://doaj.org/article/c0abb784025c42f98ecd86a53fe25ac2

Cheung IY, Mauguen A, Modak S, et al. Effect of Oral β-Glucan on Antibody Response to Ganglioside Vaccine in Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma. JAMA Oncology. 2023;9(2):242-242. doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.5999  

Hallajzadeh J, Fatemeh Sadoughi, Zatollah Asemi, Mansournia MA, Yousefi B. Beta-glucans is a Potential Inhibitor of Ovarian Cancer: Based on Molecular and Biological Aspects. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2021;23(9):1142-1152. doi: https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201022666210810090728  

Wang, M., Pan, J., Xiang, W., You, Z., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., & Zhang, A. (2024). β-glucan: A potent adjuvant in immunotherapy for digestive tract tumors. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, 1424261. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1424261

Theresia E, Malueka RG, Pranacipta S, et al. Association between Ki-67 Labeling index and Histopathological Grading of Glioma in Indonesian Population. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2020;21(4):1063-1068. doi: https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.4.1063

Ayşe ÖZKAN, Serhan KÜPELİ, Metin ÇİL, Gülay SEZGİN, BAYRAM İ. Pediatrik sarkom hastalarında profilaktik beta-glukan kullanımının nötropenik ateş sıklığı ve sağkalım üzerine etkisi. Çukurova medical journal (Online)/Çukurova medical journal. 2022;47(2):596-602. doi: https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1039267

Mostafa S, Farnoosh Ebrahimzadeh, Mahsa akbari oryani, et al. Potential promising anticancer applications of β-glucans: A review. Bioscience Reports. Published online December 13, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bsr20231686