Natural Health

Learn About Glyconutrients and the 8 essential sugars for health.

FUCOSE


Abundant in human breast milk and certain mushrooms, fucose influences brain development. Studies using fucose indicate that the saccharide may also help improve the brain's ability to create long-term memories, Fucose is an immune modulator as well, inhibiting tumor growth and its spread and enhancing cellular communication.

High concentrations of fucose are found at the junctions between nerves, in the kidney and testes, and in the outer layer of skin. Fucose metabolism is abnormal in cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and cancer and during episodes of shingles, which is caused by a herpes virus. (Shingles is a reactivation of dormant chicken pox virus.)

Studies suggest the sugar is active against other herpes viruses, including herpes I and cytomegalovirus. The saccharide also guards against respiratory tract infections and inhibits allergic reactions


XYLOSE


An antibacterial and antifungal, xylose also fosters cellular communication. Research suggests that xylose may help prevent cancer of the digestive tract

Xylose absorption is decreased in some patients with intestinal disorders, including colitis. For diabetics and others watching their sugar intake, manufacturers often substitute xylose for sucrose and corn sweeteners in chewing gum and toothpaste. Unlike these sweeteners, xylose does not cause dental cavities


MANNOSE


Mannose is a major player in tissue remodeling and intelligent interactions between cells. The addition of mannose to your diet can accelerate the processes of cellular communication and healing; inhibit tumor growth and spread; and prevent bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections.

It's necessary for the production of cytokines (the chemicals that make us feel achy when we're sick, which the body produces to fight invaders).

Research suggests that mannose also eases inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and studies on lupus patients indicate a deficiency in this saccharide. Mannose also lowers blood sugar and triglyceride levels in diabetics.


GALACTOSE


Galactose is abundant in dairy products, where it coexists with glucose in a disaccharide called lactose. In studies, galactose inhibits tumor growth and its spread, or metastasis, particularly to the liver." The sugar also enhances wound healing, decreases inflammation, enhances cellular communication, and increases calcium absorption.

Galactose supplementation helps protect against exposure to X-ray radiation from developing cataracts. Galactose levels are usually lower in people with adult and juvenile arthritis and in those with lupus. Studies also indicate that the saccharide triggers long-term memory formation.


N-ACETYLNEURAMINIC ACID (NANA)


Particularly important for brain development and learning, N-acetylneuraminic acid is, not surprisingly, abundant in breast milk. Studies indicate that the essential saccharide also improves both memory and performance. In addition, it's an immune modulator that affects the viscosity of nmcus, which in turn repels bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

In several studies, the saccharide has been shown to inhibit strains of influenza A and B viruses more effectively than such prescription antivirals as amantadine and ribavirin. It also influences blood coagulation, brain development, and cholesterol levels, lowering LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol. The processing of this sugar is disturbed in Sjogren's syndrome and in alcoholics. In general, levels of this saccharide decrease as we age.


N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE

N-acetylglucosamine is an immune modulator with antitumor properties and activity against HIV. Glucosamine, a metabolic product of N-acetylglucosamine, helps repair cartilage, decreases pain and inflammation, and increases range of motion in osteoarthritis. In addition, the saccharide is vital to learning.

In one study, researchers found that after two groups of mice received glucosamine injections, the group given fifteen minutes' worth of avoidance-conditioning training (in which they were punished by electric shock for responding to some stimuli and rewarded with food for responding to others) incorporated nearly double the amount of glucosamine into their brains as the mice that were not trained and were kept quietly in a cage.

Glucosamine may also help repair the nmcosal-lining defensive barrier called the glycosaminoglycan layer, or GAG layer for short. Defects in the GAG layer have been implicated in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and interstitial cystitis.


N-ACETYLGALACTOSAMINE


Although research on N-acetylgalactosamine has been limited, we do know that the saccharide inhibits tumor spread and enhances cellular communication. Lower-than-normal levels of this sugar have been found in patients with heart disease.


GLUCOSE


Glucose is the ubiquitous saccharide. Table sugar is composed of glucose and another saccharide, fructose. Both saccharides reside in candy bars and cupcakes, ice cream and soft drinks. Bread, rice, pasta, vegetables, cereal, honey, corn syrup, and fruit also supply the sugar.

A potent fast-energy source that can be released directly into the bloodstream, glucose also enhances memory, stimulates calcium absorption, and enhances cellular communication. Too much of it can raise insulin levels, leading to obesity and diabetes. Too little glucose can be problematic as well. Elderly Alzheimer's patients, for instance, register much lower glucose levels than those with organic brain disease from stroke or other vascular disease. In addition, glucose metabolism is disturbed in depression, manic-depression, anorexia, and bulimia