Glyconutrients
<p><a href="http://www.raysahelian.com/glyconutrients.html"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Glyconutrients, an honest review</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Benefits and risks of these supplements</span></span></a></p>
<p><a href="https://academic.oup.com/glycob/article/18/9/652/1987854"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A "Glyconutrient" Sham</span></span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed%26cmd=Retrieve%26dopt=AbstractPlus%26list_uids=15759600%26query_hl=11%26itool=pubmed_docsum" target="_blank">Effects of a carbohydrate supplement upon resting brain activity.</a> </span></span></p>
<p>What is a glyconutrient, anyway? There is no accepted definition
What is the exact definition of a glyconutrient, anyway? Glyco means sugar, and nutrient means a substance that is useful to the body. Is glucose a glyconutrient? Glucose is certainly a sugar and it is a nutrient needed by the body to function. There certainly is no deficiency of glucose in the American diet, especially those who are diabetic. What about sucrose, also known as table sugar? What about lactose, the sugar found in milk? Who decides which sugars and related compounds to include within the broad definition of the term?
Is a glyconutrient a sugar molecule attached to another molecule, or a group of molecules? Sugar chains (also called glycans) vary in length from one sugar, to extremely long chains found in glycosaminoglycans. Is a glyconutrient any sugar attached to any other molecule or is a glyconutrient a specific substance or a group of specific substances? Does the chemical structure of a "glyconutrient" sold by one company the same as another company or completely different? Is there a scientifically accepted definition of what a glyconutrient is just like there is for the words vitamins and glycoproteins? If there is such a standard and accepted definition for the word, I have not seen it yet. To me, the word glyconutrient has no special medical or nutritional meaning. The term glyconutrient is confusing and unnecessary. My degree in college was nutrition. I have a bachelor's degree in nutrition science and afterwards went to medical school. As an expert in nutrition science, I do not find the term helpful. This does not mean I am against the use of natural supplements. To the contrary. I believe they are extremely helpful and underused by the medical profession. I, myself, take supplements almost every day and I recommend them. My purpose, here, is to be scientifically honest.
See an excellent <a href="http://glycob.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/18/9/652.">scientific review </a>of this topic.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/glyconutrients">Per Sloan-Kettering</a></p>
<h2>Clinical Summary</h2>
<p>Glyconutrients refer to eight plant monosaccharides: galactose, glucose, arabinose, glucosamine, mannose, xylose, rhamnose, and fucose. Related products are mostly marketed by a company called Mannatech under the brand name Ambrotose. Proponents claim that these monosaccharides are essential for the body because they are building blocks of glycoproteins which are used for cell-to-cell communication. They also suggest that modern diet is deficient in monosaccharides and that supplementation can restore cellular health and support the immune system . However, strong scientific evidence to support these claims is lacking.</p>
<p>Glyconutrients are also promoted aggressively to cancer patients through network marketing approach but their benefit is unclear.</p>
<p>Mannatech and its founder have been charged by the Texas Attorney General for deceptive trade practices that exaggerated the products’ health benefits.</p>
<h2>Mechanism of Action</h2>
<p>Although sugars such as glucose are essential for normal functioning of the body, true deficiencies are rare except in malnourished patients. Humans can convert saccharides into different forms according to the body’s needs. More
complex polysaccharides, such as beta-glucan, have been studied for their immunomodulating effects, but it is unclear if the marketed products contain substantial amounts of such polysaccharides.</p>
<p>
Even though some of the constituents have been investigated for their anticancer effects, none of them have been shown to be effective for cancer treatment. In a trial sponsored by Mannatech, Ambrotose was shown to
enhance brain wave activities when compared to placebo. However, the clinical implication remains to be determined.</p>