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Glyconutrition – Glycobiology – Glycoscience

This is new to me as it probably is to you, and no claims are being made from HealthSynergyRx as to the effectiveness of the 8 Sugars in treating any health condition. We are as fascinated by Glycoscience as we are by all nutritional approaches to health problems. The basis of Glycoscience is the study of sugars within complex carbohydrates. Glyconutrition is the application of these sugars to the human body in the form of the foods we eat, and glycobiology is the study of glyconutrition on the body.

Let me first say while glycoscience has been around for quite some time now, it has not been until the last decade that glycobiology and more specifically glyconutrition has started to come into it’s own. Unfortunately there is no hard pressed “proof” that supplementing glyconutrients results in improved health. Just like there is no “proof” of many vitamins and supplements. This is because glycoscience is so new.

Many speculate the reason for declining health is the result of the body no longer getting appropriate amounts of the glyconutrients (or 8 simple sugars) known as:

1. Mannose is the chief of the essential super critical nutrient sugars. It helps strengthen the excretion system and helps to defend against bacterial infections . . . Foods: Black Currants, Red Currants, Gooseberries, Aloe Vera, Soybeans, Green Beans, Capsicum, Cabbage, Eggplant, tomatoes, Turnip
2. Galactose coexists with lactose. As with all 8 super critical nutrient sugars it is vital for intercellular communications. It promotes wound healing, decreased inflammation, and stimulates needed calcium absorption . . . Foods: Apples, Apricot, Banana, Blackberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Currants, Dates, Grapes, Kiwi Fruit, Mango, Orange, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plums, Prunes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Passionfruit, Echiacea, Boswellia, Chestnuts, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Avocado, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Potato, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Leeks, Asparagus, Lettuce, Beans, Mushrooms, Beet root, Onions, Parsnip, Green Peas, Pumpkin, Spinach
3. Fucose is found in healthy mother’s milk and transfers immunity to newborns. It is important for proper nerve function, kidney health, reproduction systems and hydration of your skin . . . Foods: Kelp, Wakame, Beer Yeast
4. Glucose enhances memory, stimulates calcium absorption and increases cellular communication… Foods: Grapes, Banana, Mangoes, Cherries, Strawberries, Cocoa, Aloe Vera, Licorice, Sarsaparilla, Hawthorn, Garilc, Echinacea
5. Xylose is an antibacterial and antifungal. It promotes the growth of healthful flora in your intestines, therefore maximizing nutrient absorption which in turn strengthens your immune system . . . Foods:: Guava, Pears, Blackberries, Loganberries, Raspberries, Aloe Vera, Echinacea, Boswellia, Psyllium Seeds, Broccoli, Spinach, Eggplant, Peas, Green Beans, Okra, Cabbage, Corn
6. N-acetylneuramic acid (sialic acid) is vital to many body fluids including, serum, cerebrospinal, saliva, amniotic, and mother’s milk. It is an immune modulator that benefits many things and it is a powerful antiviral. It is 1000 times more potent than antiviral drugs used to fight influenza . . . Foods: Whey Protein (Whey protein Isolate), Chicken Eggs (Buy organic)
7. N-acetylgalactosamine helps in the prevention of many diseases. Evidence reveals it helps in tumor reduction and in promoting healthful heart cells. It is also key in promoting joint health and is also an anti-inflammatory. . . Foods: Bovine Cartilage, Shark Cartilage, Red Algae (Dumontiaceae – as a constituent of dextran sulphate)
8. N-acetylglucosamine found in the brain, thyroid, liver, small intestine, testes, epithelial cells of the endocrine and sebaceous glands, and endothelial cells of blood vessels. It is presumed that it plays a crucial role in all these tissues and organs. . . Foods: Bovine Cartilage, Shark Cartilage, Shiitake Mushroom

The above list compiled from Techmedica Health – who boldly proclaims “Alternative Medicine from Real Doctors”. We have no relationship with this company and find their slogan somewhat offensive; as it implies that there is only one kind of Real Doctor. Anyhow it’s our philosophy to give copyright credit where due. Thanks to Dr David Bird MBChB, Dip Obst., Dip Clinical Nutrition, FACNEM for the foods listed.

You can get ALL Glyconutrients from Food!

Your body synthesizes all these 8 “essential” sugars from foods! The key is you MUST incorporate the foods into your diet. Nutrition provides the building blocks for optimal wellness. Should you decide you want to supplement (perhaps you simply can not absorb enough nutrients) you may want to consider Garden of Life’s RM-10, Cosamin DS, and a quality Whey Protien (sans artificial sweetener)… However our best recommendation is to get a good greens juicer like the Omega 8003, and a quality commercial blender like the Vitamix, and start making your own high quality juices. Be sure to purchase Organic Produce.

What about Glyconutrient Supplements?

If only there were reputable mainstream supplement companies like New Chapter, Solgar, Garden of Life producing these products. Unfortunately there are none (at least at this writing). The glyconutrients are being “pushed” by MLM marketing companies with less than stellar credentials. Mannatech for example has a very seedy history. When you get to the root of most any MLM (Multi Level Marketing) company you find profit as the incentive, not the well being of the customer/consumer. I truly believe in the science, but there is a long long way to go before it’s proven that supplementation of glyconutrient formulas currently on the market are truly beneficial. And I am very open minded. Seldom do I care that everything is double blind placebo tested. But I am leery of companies who make such unfounded claims without any credibility what-so-ever. It is not credibility to quote a University Study saying a product has potential in healing, and then to construe that their unique formulation is somehow the answer and the study proves it. Well enough said… moving on.

You Should Be Eating Sugar?

The answer to this is simply NO! We are not talking about consuming table sugar or any artificial sweeteners. We are talking complex carbohydrates from within the complexity of whole natural foods. It should go without saying that refined table sugar, corn syrup, and artificial sweetners are bad for overall health. They are not contained within the infinite wisdom of food, and do not contain the phytonutrients and natural enzymes needed for the body to deal appropriately with the sugars.

Do your Own Research – Read Reviews opinions of these Books

Please note the books rotate randomly… we suggest you look for “Sugars that Heal” and “The Healing Power of 8 Sugars”. Amazon does a great job of linking product titles from one book to the next we love the Readers Review feature which allows you to see what people think of the book.

Glyconutrition Marketing

Unfortunately the main “thrust” behind Glyconutrition as it pertains to nutritional application is multi-level marketing. It’s the same unproven (although we all want it to be true) unsubstaintiated claims made by the marketers of Noni Juice, Mangosteen, or whatever is the current rage. And while we don’t exactly put Glycoscience within this realm (It’s a real proven studied science at real universities worldwide, it’s just in it’s infancy) it’s unfortunate that the main purveyors of glyconutrients are the multilevel marketing companies. Again this is all about profit. When will people wake up and recognize we are placed on this earth for 76 years (if lucky) and the goal of life is not to acquire material items. The goal of life is to live well and be happy and to always care about the welfare of others. When you patent and/or protect a new potentially helpful product in the name of profit you prevent those who are truly in need from benefiting. Why are these technologies not within the realm of mainstream medicine? Probably boils down to money. Honestly how much money is going to be made by the pharmaceutical companies if it proves that natural sugars are a key to good health? Pharmaceutical companies make money treating symptoms not curing disease. If we were all healthy then where would their profits go?

Should you take Glyconutrition Supplements?

Well that’s a tough question to answer. And it’s going to be really hard at this point in time to find a health care provider educated in the use of these sugars. They are no without potential side effects. How much do you need, which should you take? Just because it’s related to food (All supplements no matter if they are derived synthetically or from plants are still artificial to the body). Our opinion is unless you are on the edge of health disaster you are best to incorporate dietary changes in the form of whole natural foods. God in his infinite wisdom has given us all the nutrition we need within natural foods. The hard part is finding whole, organic, natural foods – nearly impossible these days to eat 100% organic. So the supplementation issue arises. You’ll have to decide for yourself. We do always recommend everyone purchase a juicer and implement juiced greens into their diet on a continual basis.