Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => Complementary Medicine => Topic started by: Not2B4Gotten on 24/02/2006 04:53:48
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We have experienced wonderful miracles in our own family and with our pets and friends. I've been studying glycobiology and glyconutrients for over a year now and I'd be glad to share what I've found. The truth shall set you free! ~ Blessings
Summary:
Glyconutrients are nutrients missing from our modern diets that our body must have to repair and rebuild. Its the building blocks for cellular communication. There are 200 sugars found in nature, but glyconutrients are 8 essential sugars that go directly to the protein surface of each and every cell in our bodies to form a complex system for cellular communication, the "operating system" of the body.
The body will heal itself if given the proper tools to do so. So therefore, all disease conditions can improve with proper nutrition.
Check out these books:
Sugars That Heal - Dr. Emil I. Mondoa, MD and Mindy Kitei
Maggots, Wonder Drugs, Transplants & Genomes - Memoirs of an Old Doctor Whose Career Has Spanned It All - Rayburne W. Goen, MD
The Healing Power of 8 Sugars - An Amazing Breakthrough in Nutrition, Science and Medicine - What Doctors want YOU to know about Glyconutrients...The 8 Sugars Vital to Your Health - Compiled and Edited by Allan C. Somersall, PhD, MD
Joy
Not2B4Gotten.com
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I agree, the ingredient in these supplements can have some incredible and wonderful effects in many people, though I have met many people who did not see any amazing effects.
The benefits, however, are not due to the absorption of the sugars or the increase in glycoproteins, and these sugars are all made easily by our body, and are not deficient in our diet. Right supplement, wrong mechanism. You might want to read my previous posts to elicit some of the actual mechanisms involved.
Most importantly, you can cheaply combine these ingredients yourself rather than pay the MLM price for the same ingredients. There are instructions in this forum and at the curezone.com forum for doing so effectively. So far results from those who have switched to making their own have been great.
Duane
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Hello,
I need some help and facts- fast. Please.... no more sales pitch testimonials or references to Dr. Gunter Blobel (I have discovered his work is unrelated to the Mannatech claims). I have tried researching this on my own and, frankly, just don't have the time to devote to it. I need a synopsis of this area of nutrition.
In addition to a general synopsis...I would be grateful if you answer these questions in specific.
1. Are there really 8 (no more, no less) glyconutrients responsible for the production of the glycoproteins that help cells communicate with/identify each other?
2. Are the 8 glyconutrients really manufactured in our own bodies? 3. If so, is there any need to supplement? Are we not making as much as we should?
4. If so, what are digestable/absorbable/available forms that may be ingested?
5. Are there possible toxic levels if too much, or improperly balanced rations are ingested? (I saw a study in the NewEnglandJournalofMedicine on mannose toxicity in infants)
6. Is the Harper's Biochemistry Textbook reliable information...any idea who wrote it and if they have any financial stake in the industry?
7. Are there ANY books on the subject that are written by unbiased professionals/scientists with NO financial stake in the industry (other than the sale of their book, of course)? Can you give me any titles/authors?
8. Any conclusive, reputable studies that taking these sugars in supplement form are beneficial to health or healing in nature?
I appreciate in advance any efforts you make to provide me with such a summary.
Thank you,
Renee...mom of 5, in serious need of info, fast.
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1. Are there really 8 (no more, no less) glyconutrients responsible for the production of the glycoproteins that help cells communicate with/identify each other?
Yes, and no. There are actually more, but these 8 are the most important for the vast majority of glycoproteins/glycolipids (glycoconjugates) produced by the human body.
The most popular, well-known, brand of glyconutrients contains substances that are made up of only 6 of the 8 sugars, and most of that is glucose and galactose, which are not the ones that they consider deficient in our diet.
2. Are the 8 glyconutrients really manufactured in our own bodies?
Yes, they are easily produced in our bodies unless you have a genetice deficiency. The concept that we don't get enough in our foods or that we are deficient in them is not true. Articles claiming that they are deficient, compare these substances to vitamins and minerals. However, your body cannot manufacture vitamins and minerals, so the comparison is deceptive.
3. If so, is there any need to supplement? Are we not making as much as we should?
There is no need to supplement with these sugars (though glucosamine has been shown to be beneficial for arthritis). HOWEVER REALIZE THAT THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT CLAIM TO PROVIDE THESE SUGARS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INDIVIDUAL SUGARS. There is a reason that none of the "glyconutrient" supplements contain the individual sugars (except glucosamine), but instead contain complex chains of these sugars (dietary fiber). The reason, is that no one would get any benefit from taking the individual sugars because that is NOT how these supplements effect your body.
4. If so, what are digestable/absorbable/available forms that may be ingested?
Research currently shows that the majority of the ingredients in these supplements pass undigested into the large intestine where they are eaten by the micro-organisms and converted to short-chain fatty acids. A small amount of the individual sugars may be absorbed here, but the actual absorption of the sugars is very small.
There is little to no evidence that the individual sugars can be absorbed from these substances, and zero evidence that the benefits are actually due to any increase in glycoconjugates. (THEY DO HAVE POSITIVE BENEFITS FOR HUMAN HEALTH, BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ABSORBING THE "8 SUGARS" YOU HAVE READ ABOUT).
You can buy Mannose, glucosamine, xylose, glucose, galactose readily, and even if you could buy all 8 sugars and take all you want, it will not help you. That is why none of these supplements actually contain the individual sugars, but contain plant-derived complex indigestible fibers that are made up of some of the sugars. The fibers have a benefit, the sugars DO NOT.
5. Are there possible toxic levels if too much, or improperly balanced rations are ingested? (I saw a study in the NewEnglandJournalofMedicine on mannose toxicity in infants)
No.
6. Is the Harper's Biochemistry Textbook reliable information...any idea who wrote it and if they have any financial stake in the industry?
Yes, it seems at least one author has an association with the company and a financial stake in the company. I have never read the textbook, but there is no evidence that these supplements have any effect on glycoconjugates, so referring to any biochemistry text to prove the benefits of these supplements is deceptive. Yes, your body uses sugars to make cellular receptors. Big deal, these supplements have no effect on production of those receptors, but it sounds scientific, and since these receptors and supplements are made up of similar substances they try to make a correlation...but there isn't any.
7. Are there ANY books on the subject that are written by unbiased professionals/scientists with NO financial stake in the industry (other than the sale of their book, of course)? Can you give me any titles/authors?
No, there aren't. I have investigated this topic as thoroughly as anyone (if not more so) and I have no connections to ANY nutrition company, nor any financial stake in this industry. You can find a lot of my information concerning glyconutrients by reading my posts for the last year at the curezone.com forum: http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=223&p=16
Each of those posts allow you to e-mail me with specific questions. I will do my best to answer them.
8. Any conclusive, reputable studies that taking these sugars in supplement form are beneficial to health or healing in nature?
Yes, and no. The benefits of these substances have nothing to do with absorption of individual sugars. That is a marketing/sales pitch to make it seem "scientifically validated". However, these supplements DO have many significant beneficial effects on many, many aspects of human health. But the benefits are due to the properties of the whole molecule, NOT just one sugar that makes it up.
Also, note that the companies that "sell" these supplements do not "MAKE" these substances. They buy each ingredient from another company and then mix it up in a container and sell it to you for a ridiculous mark-up in price.
You can buy the main ingredients in these supplements and mix it up for yourself for a small fraction of the price. So far all the people mixing up the supplement for themselves have reported just as good results as the brand name supplement. The instructions for making it yourself are also found at the curezone.com forum.
Good luck and I hope this answered your questions.
Duane
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Glyconutrients are really good tools for the operating system of the body and it is obvious that all disease conditions can improve with proper nutrition.Healthy eating and many other protien sources really gives emphasis to build muscles and holding postures rather than dynamism.
Implementing new strategies for healthy posture is really appreciating.Thanks for the recommendation.[:)]
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Looks like bollocks to me. The body is capable of inter-converting lots of different sugars and few of us are really short of sugar.