Beta glucan and yeast are feed additives fed to cattle. Yeast can increase milk production by 2 pounds as a result of increased digestibility of feed ingredients. Adding beta glucan, along with yeast, can help a cow to be healthier and produce more milk.
In the past, antibiotics were fed to help keep cattle healthy and as a growth promoter, but consumers have become concerned about the use of antibiotics in livestock. It is more challenging to keep cattle healthy who have increased their performance. An alternative to antibiotics is beta glucan, which has no withdrawal time, residual effect or microbial mutation.
Beta glucan is an immune modulator, a substance shown to modify the immune system to a threat upon it. It activates white blood cells in the immune system to increase resistance to bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections and tumor growth.
The white blood cell can use beta glucan instead of the primary pathogenic specific receptor/sites to activate a series of immune system events if actual pathogenic challenge exists. Therefore, it activates the body's immune system to fight off diseases.
The best source of beta glucan is from water-soluble mushrooms. Most beta glucan comes from baker's yeast or crude and impure beta glucan, which do not have full white blood cell or macrophage activating capability.
The Bl, 3-D glucan structure, a polysaccharide, is responsible for enhanced immunity abilities. The better performing Bl, 3-D Bl, 6-D-glucan configuration provides more bonding sites and is more effective than the Bl, 3-D-glucan configuration.
The advantage of beta glucan is that it can be taken orally because it is acid resistant and passes through the stomach unchanged. In addition, the intestine lacks a specific enzyme that can break it down.
Beta glucan can initiate – but does not over stimulate – the white blood cells in the immune system. The motivation for using it comes from an increased desire for a safe food supply.
Beta glucan can be used in conventional dairies. Its use is a way of having naturally healthy cattle and preventing microbial mutations in disease treatment. It is a natural, organic and probiotic product to help maintain the animal's health while maximizing productivity. PD
