Beta Glucan Cream

BETA GLUCAN, 4 oz., 1% Cream with Retinol A, 600,000 IU, Vitamin E, 1000 IU
New 4 oz size.
40% Less Cost than the 2 oz size and with a hands-free, sealed, measured pump

Recent studies with several hundred women, given a cosmetic regimen of which a topical cream containing beta glucan was a major part.
The effects on the signs of aging in the skin were evaluated.
Compared with the control group, A 27 percent improvement in skin hydration was observed after eight weeks of using the regimen twice a day.
An improvement in lines and wrinkles of 47 percent was measured, firmness and elasticity increased by 60 percent, and skin color improved by 26 percent.
The rate of skin renewal increased by 34 percent.

These dramatic results were achieved beause beta glucan rejuvenates the skin's cells by invigorating the macrophages.
You can learn more about macrophages by searching in our library.

"Specialized" versions of macrophages are found in almost every area of the body, and the skin is no exception, where they are known as "Langerhans" cells, after the scientist who discovered them.
These Langerhans cells are found in all parts of the skin, but more so in the upper layers called the epidermis.
They're referred to also as dendritic macrophages because dendrites – the spiderweb-like tentacles that emanate out of them – literally permeate throughout the skin, almost like an intricate spiderweb or latticework, and these serve as a source for where the macrophage's receptors can be stimulated.
So when you apply a beta lotion or cream topically, it gets exposed to the dendrites of these Langerhans cells, and stimulates or activates them.

It's relatively easy from there to understand how supporting immune cells in the skin can lead to healther skin, and enhanced wound healing, but it's less obvious how topical application of beta glucan can reduce the appearance of aging.

So let's take a quick look at what happens when we age, and wrinkles and grainy-looking skin appears.
First of all, the reason animal cells "stick together" is because of a substance called collagen.
It's the "glue" that binds the cells.
What happens when we age (and aging can be defined as the sum total of all the insults we receive, from sunlight, chemicals, poor diet, etc.) is that our skin cells die.
If our immune system is healthy, these dead cells are “unglued” from the collagen by an enzyme released from the macrophage, called collagenase.
Then the phagocytes come in and “gobble up” the debris.
This gives room for the new cells to grow in its place.

The next step in this process is that epidermal (or "epithelial") growth factors are secreted.
These are proteins that act like e-mails or fax messages that are sent out by the macrophages to another type of cell called fibroblasts.
The fibroblast comes back to this area where the new cell growth was created and starts to produce collagen again.
Without this process, there would be crosslinking of collagen, which creates wrinkles.
There would also be granulization on and around dead or damaged tissue, all of which adds up to what we think of as an appearance of aging.

The problem, in our modern world, is that so many things tend to destroy, damage or weaken the Langerhans cells.
Ultraviolet light from excessive exposure to sunlight, chemicals in soaps and cosmetics, chlorine in the water in which we bathe – these all have a negative effect on the immune cells contained in our skin – and contribute to what we now consider the "normal" appearance of aging.
That is why it's extremely difficult to maintain a healthy skin today without giving it a little help.

When the immune system, as found in the skin, is functioning properly, the dead and damaged tissue is removed, there is rapid healing, and the result is a smooth repaired area, with good tensile strength.
The key to all this, again, is the healthy functioning of the macrophage.
And the key to supporting the macrophage is beta glucan.

The process by which beta glucan supports overall dermatological health has also been shown to aid wound healing.
Several studies have shown dramatic improvements in healing rates (see reference list) with topical application of a salve containing beta glucan.
So, once you find a high-quality beta glucan cream or salve, make sure you keep it as a permanent part of your household supplies.
For best results, also add it to your sunscreen when venturing outdoors.

If you're concerned with cosmetic appearance (and who isn't?!) we recommend not only using a beta glucan topical cream, but also taking it internally - because the immune system aids healing and regeneration in all organs of the body – including the skin.