Dietary yeast shown to improve cancer fighting ability of immune cells!

An exciting report in the journal Cell Reports found that supplementation with a common dietary yeast will enhance the tumor fighting ability of immune cells. The yeast that the researchers used is called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, otherwise known as baker’s yeast or brewer’s yeast. What was unique about this particular report is that the active component of the yeast, ‘beta glucan’, was given orally instead of by injection, as was typically done in prior research. The authors report that oral supplementation with beta glucan was given for 1-3 months and this resulted in a significantly stronger immune response to skin, breast, and colorectal cancer cells! An incredible finding. The authors concluded that this supplement acts as an “immuno-nutrient”.

Historically, beta glucans were found to enhance the immune system by binding to cell surface receptors on immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages, “priming” them to enhance their ability to engulf pathogens, release cytokines (chemicals that stimulate other aspects of the immune response), and ultimately help to destroy tumor cells. Beta glucans have also been shown to induce epigenetic changes in bone marrow stem cells, allowing them to have a more robust response.

In order to achieve this beneficial effect on the immune system, the beta glucan must be consumed as “whole glucan particles” (WGP) and not the smaller, broken down, soluble form of the glucans, which do not seem to induce the same strong immune response. A recent publication in Nature highlighted that consumption of WGPs enhanced the immunologic response to tuberculosis vaccination!

So where can one obtain beta glucans for consumption? Brewer’s yeast powders can be obtained here, as well as WGP beta glucan supplements (here). The best natural sources of beta glucans include mushrooms (maitake, shiitake, and reishi), as well as seaweed! Here’s to a stronger immune system!