Essential saccharides (glyconutrients)

[Guest guest]

I have been posting material on inulin and carbohydrates from this

list to my blog recently. A friend sent me two interesting links,

which I have put below. The articles have links to other interesting

pages as well, including different glyconutrient supplements for sale.

 

Alobar

 

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Essential saccharides (glyconutrients)

 

Glyconutrients are plant saccharides (carbohydrates). Of the

approximately 200 carbohydrates or sugars, only 8 are essential to

bodily function. Their primary role is in cell-to-cell communication.

This communication process is vital for the cells, tissues, organs,

and our body to function. All disease conditions are at the cell

level.

 

The role of the essential glyconutrients has only recently been

discovered and is considered to be one of the most important medical

science discoveries. Researchers proclaim it to be the key to a long,

healthy life. The problem is westerners typically don't get all the

essential glyconutrients in our diet, due to changes in our food

production systems. Most of us, only get 2 of the essential 8 in our

diet - glucose and galactose. When we are fit and healthy and not

under environmental or emotional or physical stress, our bodies can

make the other 6 glyconutrients. But this comes at a huge energy cost.

For the production of some of the glyconutrients there are up to 15

energy conversions. If our body is under any stress from a

physical/medical condition or any environmental, physical, or

emotional stress our body does not have the available energy to

produce these missing glyconutrients. The result is a compromised

immune system and the onset of degenerative conditions.

 

 

 

The 8 essential glyconutrients:

 

xylose

fucose

galactose

glucose

mannose

N-acetylglucosamine

N-acetylgalactosamine

N-acetylneuraminic acid (a sialic acid).

These 8 essential glyconutrients combine with other molecules eg

proteins and lipids, to form glycoforms or glycoconjugates that coat

cell surfaces. When they combine with protein molecules, they form

glycoproteins that coat the surface of every cell with a nucleus in

the human body. When glyconutrients bind with lipids (fats) they form

glycolipids that also adhere to the cell surface.

 

Five of the eight essential glyconutrients are found in human breast

milk. This gives us an indication of how important they are.

Glyconutrients are the key to effective cellular communication and

proper cell function.

 

Glyconutrients are not vitamins, minerals, amino acids or enzymes, but

are in a class of their own as nutritional supplements.

Glyconutritional supplements derived from plants are formulated based

on new understanding in the biochemistry of how the human body

maintains health at the cellular level. Healthy cells lead to healthy

tissue – healthy tissue leads to healthy organs – and healthy organs

lead to healthy bodies.

 

Because these 8 glyconutrients are essential to our functioning and

are mostly missing from our food sources, it is necessary to take

glyconutritional supplements. When choosing these supplements it

important to choose ones that contain all 8 essential glyconutrients

from plant origin. They need to be made to pharmaceutical standards.

 

http://www.glisonline.com/saccharides.php

 

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Glyconutrient Dictionary

 

Acemannan is considered to be a second-generation glyconutrient agent.

This means that it is formed from the primary glyconutrient, Mannose.

Acemannan is a polysaccharide composed mostly of Mannose

monosaccharides that come from the Aloe vera plant and in such Aloe

products as the juice, topical gels, and powdered saccharide

supplements. Acemannan is one of the purest glyconutrient

polysaccharides because it contains no proteins or fats.

 

Acemannan is not digestible in the small intestine because the human

body lacks the enzyme necessary to break the bonds between the

molecules. Consequently, it passes intact into the large intestine

where it is fermented by microorganisms. However, Acemannan is still

effective in that it helps to stimulate the immune system. In

addition, the short-chain fatty acids created during the fermentation

process have positive effects on almost every body system.

 

Acemannan and yeast beta-glucans as well as other glyconutrients are

quite useful in increasing resistance to the flu virus as well as

fungal infections. In vitro, Candida albicans was destroyed as were

some viruses. It seems that Acemannan may bind to the mucus membranes

in the intestinal tract, blocking fungal attachment. It is also

showing promise against HIV and influenza viruses. In a 1997 test,

researchers found that when macrophages incubated in Acemannan for up

to 60 minutes, some 98% of the organisms were killed by the

glyconutrient-treated macrophages as compared with 0-5% in the control

group.

 

Since Acemannan is a polymer of Mannose, it has its tumor-inhibiting

qualities. For this reason, Aloe has been effectively used to treat

some veterinary cancers, specifically sarcoma, and is under

investigation as a possible human cancer treatment. Furthermore,

compared to common topical agents for wound treatments, a commercial

product containing Acemannan proved to be less damaging to skin cells.

It is now possible to stabilize the Aloe molecule so it can be

incorporated into various liquid or dry products. However, Aloe

extracted with alcohol should never be used as the medicinal qualities

have been destroyed in the process.

 

Aloe Vera is a common medicinal plant used for thousands of years on

burns and cuts. Science is now discovering why it is has such healing

abilities. Aloe is one of the rare plants to contain an abundance of

the essential sugars.

 

There are over 240 species of Aloe now identified and grown mainly in

Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. A member of the Lily family of

plants, Aloe has a decided cactus-like appearance. Of the 240 or so

species, only four are recognized as having significant nutritional

value with Aloe Barbadensis Miller being the leader. It is used the

most in commercial products today that contain Aloe. The Aloe leaf

contains at least 75 nutrients and over 200 active compounds including

20 minerals, 20 of the 22 necessary amino acids, and 12 vitamins.

 

According to Dr. H.R. McDaniel, who has spent 16 years exploring the

therapeutic nature of Aloe, its active ingredients are eight chains of

Mannose sugars that form the eight essential sugars – glucose,

galactose, mannose, fructose, xylose, N-acetylglucosamine,

N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. The Mannose

molecules join together to form a kind of starch (polysaccharide)

known by a variety of names: acemannan, acetylated polymannans,

polymannose, or APM. The natural sugars of Aloe should never be

confused with Sucrose – common table sugar. The sugars in

glyconutrients are not sweet to the taste nor do they elicit a blood

glucose or insulin rush.

 

Recently, another compound in Aloe was discovered; a substance called

Aloeride, which contains the essential sugars Glucose, Galactose, and

Mannose, as well as another sugar called Arabinose. Such a discovery

illustrates that healthy sugars from plant sources are continually

being discovered.

 

There are actually a number of substances that have been isolated from

the whole leaf, which consists of two major healing parts: the outer

leaf and the gel underneath. The outer leaf exudes a bitter, yellow

latex that contains aloin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanic acid, volatile

oil, resins, aglycones, and B-glycosides. Aloin and aloe-emodin have

laxative properties; and the latex is sold for treating constipation.

The gel has the active medicinal sugars and other nutrients listed

above.

 

Aloe vera has always had its skeptics. This may have resulted when

outcomes did not match claims. One reason for this may have been that

some manufacturers use such questionable processing techniques as

extracting the delicate substances with alcohol, yielding none of the

medicinal properties of the fresh leaf.

 

Another possibility is that the quality of commercial Aloe can differ

tremendously from bottle to bottle and from producer to producer. Aloe

vera gel must be used shortly after the leaf is harvested or

stabilized by a freeze-drying process. Not only does " unstabilized "

aloe gel lose its medicinal properties, it actually hinders healing.

 

On the other hand, without proper processing, the Mannose-destroying

enzyme that is activated when a leaf is crushed or injured will

proceed to digest the sugars and, within a day or so, the leaf is

rendered completely useless for healing.

 

A number of beneficial enzymes are produced from the Aloe sugars:

endonucleases, hydrolases, esterases, and lipases. These enzymes

assist lymphocytes, which are responsible for the major part of immune

surveillance. When these white blood cells envelop intruding

pathogens, the enzymes optimize the cell's performance.

 

The list healing aspects of Aloe is long and becoming longer. Here is

just a sampling:

 

* It has strong anti-tumor potential. Studies are revealing that the

juice reduces tumor mass as well as the frequency of metastasis.

* It also appears to strengthen the immune system, particularly in

those already ill. It seems to keep these patients from contracting

other infections.

* Aloe has a high antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants neutralize free

radicals that roam through the system looking for a place to do

damage.

* There is growing evidence that Aloe also has an anti-inflammatory

effect. This is supported by findings that show the extract contains

bradykininase activity, which reacts with the protease inhibitors.

 

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is another second-generation

glyconutrient agent derived from the Shiitake mushroom. Unlike the

purer Shiitake glyconutrient called lentinan (see below), AHCC is a

relatively crude carbohydrate mix that appears useful in treating

liver cancer caused by hepatitis C.

 

Arabinogalactans (Gum Sugars) are complex polysaccharides found in

corn, wheat, leeks, carrots, radishes, pears, red wine, coconut meat,

and tomatoes, as well as the medicinal herbs, Curcumin and Echinacea,

the bark of some trees and other fibrous foods. However, the most

important single commercial source of this polysaccharide comes from

the larch tree. Arabinogalactans are stimulators of the immune system.

Echinacea has had this reputation for some time and now we know why.

 

These gum sugars stimulate activity of natural killer cells,

interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factor, all key

components in a healthy immune system. When supplements containing

Arabinogalactans and Aloe extracts are taken, episodes of the common

cold are dramatically reduced. Arabinogalactans, as well as the

polysaccharides obtained from beta-glucans, are effective against the

parasitic infection, Leishmania. In a 1989 study in Germany,

researchers found that Arabinogalactans from the herb Echinacea

increase the release of parasite-killing free radicals within

macrophages, enhancing the destruction of the parasite.

 

Arabinogalactans mix well with water, fats and oils and promote

healthy bacteria in the gut. Not only do these gums enhance immune

activity, but they also inhibit cancer metastasis, especially to the

liver in lymphomas and sarcomas. Gums can be used as food thickeners.

They are part of a group of soluble fibers known as mucilages of which

psyllium is also a member. Rich in polysaccharides, psyllium lowers

cholesterol and is a popular remedy for constipation and irritable

bowel syndrome.

 

According to Dr. Mondoa, a topical gel blend of Aloe and

Arabinogalactans was applied to the skin breakdown of a premature

infant. This combination rapidly healed the skin when nothing else was

working.

 

Beta-glucans are a class of sugar-chains and another second-generation

glyconutrient agent. They are found in the cell walls of medicinal

mushrooms, baker's yeast, astragalus, and in the brans of oats, rice,

and barley. In addition to the beta-glucans, rice bran also contains

the polysaccharide Arabinoxylane, which has shown to increase natural

killer cell function in vitro. This type of polysaccharide has

antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic

actions. In addition, beta-glucans reduce total cholesterol,

triglycerides, and low-density proteins (LDLs). Beta-glucans are a

distinct advantage for those who have trouble keeping their blood

sugar under control.

 

Beta-glucans and other therapeutic sugars are able to boost the immune

system on demand. This means that they have a " brain " and are able to

" think " when a need arises. For instance, they normalize the immune

system so that it does not go into over-drive and possibly create an

autoimmune disorder. In addition, during grueling chemotherapy, the

white blood cells, needed for protection against infection, are killed

along with the cancer cells; but beta-glucans help keep them more

elevated. According to studies, it appears that beta-glucans bind to

receptors on macrophages and other white blood cells. This activates

these scavengers so that they are able to perform more efficiency in

engulfing pathogens or harmful cell-formations.

 

In the November 2002 issue of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, an

article reported that beta-glucans given orally enhanced the action of

antibodies to fight tumors. These sugars were able to stimulate

leukocyte CR3 activity, thus increasing the means to kill more tumor

cells. Furthermore, this effect worked on any tumor type, including

neuroblastoma, melanoma, lymphoma, and breast carcinoma.

 

" Maitake D-fraction " is a beta-glucan, an exceptionally potent extract

from the Maitake mushroom. Researchers have found that, when given by

injection or orally, it lessens the side effects of chemotherapy,

including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, pain, and low

white-cell count. In addition, studies indicate that the compound

inhibits cancer and its spread.

 

Beta-glucans are well-absorbed and work rapidly in the system. There

is also some evidence that taking vitamin C along with them increases

absorption into the bloodstream. Standard 6% polysaccharides in a

product are recommended.

 

One study found that polysaccharides obtained from beta-glucans

suppressed the progression of parasitic infections from Leishmania, an

infection that usually results in death within two years after

infection. Another study revealed that the parasite Toxocara was

significantly inhibited by the polysaccharide.

 

Chitin is a polysaccharide composed of the essential sugar

N-acetylglucosamine. It is found in the shells of crustaceans

(shrimps, crabs, krill). In some areas, like Southern Cameroon,

crushed chitlin is a popular condiment. Insects, yeast, mushroom cell

walls, and certain bacterial cell walls also contain chitin; but these

sources have not been commercialized or studied to the same degree as

seafood chitin. In test animals, chitin has shown to reduce allergic

reactions.

 

Chitosan is the modified form of chitin through the process of acid

and alkali. Unlike chitin, chitosan can bind fat and has helped people

lose weight. NOTE: Do not take either chitin or chitosan if you are

allergic to shellfish.

 

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide that is high in the essential sugar

Fucose. The seaweed, Kelp, is rich in this glyconutrient. Fucoidin is

a complicated molecule that also contains other essential sugars –

Xylose, Mannose, Galactose, and Glucose.

 

Glycans are a series of specific sugar units which are an important

part of many important, life-saving complex proteins. Glycans contain

a single type of monosaccharide, so named by replacing the " -ose "

ending of sugars with the " -an " of the new sugar molecule: e.g.

mannans, frutans, xylans, arabinans, glycans. Dextrans and dextrins

also belong to the class of Glucans.

 

One value of glycosylated proteins is Factor VIII, a protein critical

for blood-clotting. Those with hemophilia are unable to produce Factor

VIII protein. Science is learning that there are differences between

glycans placed on a protein produced in plants and those placed on a

protein produced by the dominant manufacturing method. Plant-based

glycans accommodates a wider range of protein types, including those

not possible with traditional technologies.

 

Glycobiology is a new field of science that combines the expertise of

both carbohydrate (sugar) biochemistry and molecular biology. Involved

is the study of the structure, chemistry, biosynthesis, and biological

functions of glycans and their derivatives.

 

Glycoconjugate is the formation of a molecule with one or more sugars

attached to a protein or a lipid.

 

Glycolipids are fats that bind to one or more chains of sugars. There

are more than 100 different glycolipids found in human tissues. They

are located mainly on the surface of cell membranes where they

function as receptor molecules as well as being involved in

cell-to-cell interaction.

 

Glyconutrients are the foods and nutritional supplements that provide

sugars along with other glycoforms (lipids and proteins) essential to

the body, but which are scarce in most diets. Over 20,000 studies have

been conducted on individual glyconutrients, and virtually all of them

have positive outcomes and show great promise as healers of the

future.

 

Glycoproteins are proteins that bind with one or more chains of

sugars. These sugar chains modify protein structures, permitting them

to participate in cell-to-cell communication. Most proteins in human

plasma and many on cell membranes are glycoproteins.

 

Inulin is a polysaccharide that belongs to a group of

naturally-occurring carbohydrates containing non-digestible

fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Inulin is found naturally in more than

36,000 types of plants worldwide, including dahlias, asparagus,

bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, salsify, wheat, chicory, onions, and

garlic. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the earth's

vegetation contains this substance. It is also used in a variety of

processed foods for fat replacement and fiber enrichment. Inulin has a

mildly sweet taste, but does not affect blood sugar levels and is

recommended for diabetics.

 

Oligofructose is a product of inulin that has been broken down into

smaller molecules. Many countries add these fiber-rich glyconutrients

to foods to promote colon health and to help increase calcium and

magnesium absorption. Oligofructose has also proven to reduce the

number of colds in young children who attend day care.

 

Lentinan is an important beta-glucan derived from the cell walls of

the Shiitake mushroom, as well as some other medicinal mushrooms.

Lentinan activates T-cells, key players in the immune system that go

after tumors, viruses, and other pathogens. Oral lentinan is effective

in treating venereal warts, and injectable lentanin has proven to be

helpful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, and HIV.

Administered intramuscularly or intravenously, injectable lentinan is

usually more effective than the oral form; but it requires a

prescription and can only be administered by a health care

professional because serious side effects have occurred with IV

lentinan, including fever, chills, back and leg pain, elevated liver

enzymes, and anaphylaxis.

 

Medicinal Mushrooms have been used in the Orient for thousands of

years – unknowingly for their glyconutrient content. A number of them

– Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake, Coriolus, and Cordyceps among others –

have long been used in the Orient to prevent and fight disease. The

earliest record of use dates from China (206 BCE to 220 CE) when the

fungus was used to treat spleen and stomach problems, hemorrhoids, and

anxiety. Taoist alchemists concocted tonics and teas. The royals and

wealthy were convinced that mushrooms improved health and extended

life spans.

 

In fact, the Reishi was hailed as the mushroom of immortality; and

ancients used it to sharpen memory, improve mood, and enhance vital

energy (qi or chi). However, this mushroom is purely medicinal and not

for eating. A substance derived from Reishi mushrooms is called Ling

Zhi-8; and according to studies, this protein-rich gluconutrient may

help in treating leukemia.

 

Maitake, on the other hand, tastes like chicken and can grow to the

size of a basketball, weighing up to 50 pounds. In feudal times, it

was so prized that it was traded for its weight in silver.

 

Today, growing techniques have shortened and mediums for growth have

changed. Mushrooms are generally cultivated and not " found " . Often,

they are grown on sawdust. Because mushrooms do not have chlorophyll,

they derive their nutrients from the medium in which they are grown.

Medicinal mushrooms stimulate the immune cells so well that three

anti-cancer drugs used in Japan have been extracted from compounds

within these mushrooms. However, only 50 or so varieties have this

kind of medicinal ability. The March issue of Biotechnology Programs

published a study that came to the conclusion " we are just beginning

to scratch the surface when it comes to glyconutrients and how they

really work " .

 

Polysaccharides K and P are both extracted from the Coriolus mushroom,

which grows wild on tree trunks in North America and Asia. This

mushroom is used in teas and extracts rather than for eating.

Polysaccharide K is also called PSK and krestin. It has been studied

in Japan since the 1960s and has been approved for treating cancer.

The glyconutrient is often used there in conjunction with traditional

cancer treatment since it seems to work synergistically with

chemotherapy and radiation. In fact, the extract is one of the

best-selling cancer drugs in Japan and Europe. Polysaccharide P (PSP)

was first isolated from the Coriolus mushroom in China, where it is

used to treat cancer. It also has many of the same properties as PSK.

Preliminary studies indicate that it also fights the flu and boosts

the overall immune system.

 

Button mushrooms, found in almost every grocery store, are NOT a good

saccharide source. In fact, several studies have concluded that this

mushroom actually induces benign and cancerous tumors, particularly if

eaten raw.

 

Cordyceps do not grow naturally on trees nor are they spawned in

sawdust. This mushroom survives by infecting an underground moth larva

or pupa (although some species of cordyceps prefer insects, truffles,

or spiders) and leisurely feed off the host, devouring it in the

process. The mushroom finally breaks through the caterpillar's head

and out to the surface where it disperses its spores.

 

Cordyceps are rich in Glucose, Mannose, and Galactose polysaccharides

and are used in China to treat cancer by rousing the immune system to

ferret out cancer cells and destroy them. This well-studied mushroom

is also used to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure, lupus,

kidney disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, asthma, and

diabetes. As with mushroom extracts, whole mushrooms work by boosting

the intelligent activity of the immune system's white blood cells

rather than by directly killing pathogens. It appears that Cordyceps

activate a number of immune defenses by enhancing the production of

interleukins, helper-T and natural killer cells. They also have the

ability to suppress an overactive immune system. Studies have shown

that they also have the ability to suppress Lupus from attacking the

kidneys. Several studies have suggested that Cordyceps and other

medicinal mushrooms can prevent the development of type I diabetes.

 

There are more than 200 known mushrooms that contain the essential

saccharides capable of arming the immune system. Unless the mushrooms

are very fresh, it is better to use dried ones. Drying does not

degrade the glyconutrient content; in fact, it preserves the

nutrients. Whether fresh or dried, always cook mushrooms before eating

them. Raw mushrooms have fewer benefits than cooked because the

glyconutrient molecules remain trapped in the chitin – the mushroom's

skeleton which is like the cellulose that forms the fibrous structure

of green plants.

 

The most certain way to extract the polysaccharides is to prepare a

decoction or tea. Wipe mushrooms to remove dirt. Cover with water and

bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to simmer, cover, and cook until the

mushrooms are tender. Drink the broth and eat the mushrooms. The

average intake of Maitake extract is 1-3 grams per day for a healthy

individual; double that for a chronic condition. In vitro studies

suggest that Maitake mushrooms may be valuable in fighting the

parasite that causes malaria.

 

It is a personal choice as to which mushroom is the best since most

have not been tested for their health-giving properties. With only

about 80,000 species identified, it is estimated that this is only 5%

of the total species on earth. Common sense dictates that a variety is

best, and eating a variation of extracts and fresh ones is also a good

idea. However, it is always best to buy organic mushrooms since they

tend to concentrate heavy metals (including lead) if these substances

are present in the growing medium.

 

Pectins are another important source of glyconutrients. They are

derived from such fruits as apples, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Known

mainly for giving jams and jellies their firmness, pectins are a form

of fiber. Rich in Galactose, pectins reduce cholesterol in humans and

prostate cancer metastases in animals. Giving a whole new meaning to

the famous words – " an apple a day keeps the doctor away " , it appears

our forefathers knew what they were talking about (wonder of

wonders!). It is now being proven that something as simple as pectins

have the ability to inhibit something as dangerous as E.coli. This is

just an inkling into the reason why a high fruit and vegetable diet

helps prevent high cholesterol and cancer.

 

Third-generation glyconutrient agents (Saccharide complexes) are

polysaccharide dietary supplements that contain most or all of the 8

essential saccharides. They are obtained from various sources,

including rice, barley, and oat bran; mushrooms; yeast cell walls;

Aloe vera; and gum sugars. The more of the essential saccharides that

can be added to the diet at the same time, the fewer number of steps,

enzymes, and energy the body needs to expend in processing them.

Supplementing all 8 essential saccharides takes the burden off an

overstressed body.

 

 

 

http://www.glyconutrients-center.org/glyconutrients-dictionary.php