Beta 1, 3 glucan activates monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, putting these front-line immune system defenders on high alert. Phagocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages, circulate throughout the body and engulf and digest foreign invaders. They also play a pivotal role in coordinating the immune system‘s arsenal of defenses.

Taken orally, Beta 1,3 glucan stimulates the innate immune system when it comes in contact with phagocytes present in Peyer‘s Patches, specialized regions in the small intestine that transport antigens, such as bacteria and toxins, to the immune cells of the gut. Derived from yeast, the Beta 1, 3 glucan stimulates beta glucan receptors on the phagocytes, convincing them that a fungus is attacking the body. This activation initiates a cascade of events leading to the expression of an overall heightened cellular immune response (Th₁) that includes increased:

• Production of white blood cells in the bone marrow, including macrophages, neutrophils and monocytes, which attack and devour harmful invaders
• Cellular mobilization, which is the ability to recognize "enemies" and move to the site of a foreign challenge
• Phagocytic capacity or the ability to engulf non-self cells
• Production of anti-microbial agents, such as reactive oxygen intermediates, that lead to an enhanced ability of the immune system to defeat a challenge
• Support the normal balance of Th₁ and Th₂ immune responses.

These are triggered once the activated phagocytes travel to the Gut-Associated-Lymphatic-Tissue (GALT) where it communicates the activation signal to other members of the immune system resulting in an activation of the innate immune system comprised of the macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer or NK cells. These phagocytic macrophages and neutrophils patrol the body with heightened sensitivity to identify, engulf and destroy foreign cells through a process called "phagocytosis." The phagocytes kill and degrade the invaders into peptides, which are used to communicate the foreigner‘s presence to the body‘s other defenders, including B-cells and T-cells.

These cells are all part of the acquired immune system, which adapts or learns to defend the body against a specific threat.

T-cells help defend the body two ways. Some T-cells help regulate the complex workings of the immune system and others destroy infected or mutant cells. These cytotoxic T-cells need to recognize a specific antigen before it kills, whereas NK cells do not.

Once alerted to the presence of an antigen, B-cells create large plasma cells that act as small factories secreting antibodies. Antibodies bind with foreign cells, identifying their presence for phagocytes and other defenders that attack and kill the intruders.