Talk:Beta-glucan

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shouldn't this entry have a picture of a typical beta-glucan structure? Or at least have some talk of glucosidic bonds? 128.227.127.14 02:48, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Needs restructuring

Article looks like the section which previously extended from "Overview" down to Ref 58 was pasted in from somewhere else, which led to one huge section with no WP links, and a 2nd list of references. Is anyone planning major changes soon ? if not I'll tinker with it when I get time Rod57 11:08, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Absorbabilty and explanation of health benefits other than those to the GI tract

Regardless of whether beta-glucan is soluble or insoluble, it is still classified as a dietary fiber. Dietary fibers are defined to have little or no absorbability in the GI tract, but some such as oat beta-glucan, guar gum, and inulin are fermentable in the human colon. So how is beta-glucan thought to produce so many additional health benefits other than binding bile cholesterol and helping to prevent diverticulosis, colon cancer, and/or other maladies specific to the GI tract? With the exception of the cholesterol cycle, if beta-glucan cannot be absorbed, then its direct benefits should logically be limited to GI health. The article should attempt to explain this paradox. Perhaps the additional benefits are due to the chemical products of colonic fermentation?--4.255.33.190 01:19, 22 October 2007 (UTC)