Glyconutrients

[bsheets]

Hi all,

I did a quick search and came up with nothing so...

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of Glyconutrients, and what the opinion is of these?

Many people think that "sugars" are bad for us as we already get more than enough, but they don't realize that there are over 200 different simple sugars or carbohydrates (molecules called "mono-saccharides"). Of these two hundred plus mono-saccharides, research has shown (so far) that only eight of these are considered essential for the body. And, of these eight, only two are readily available in our modern day diets (glucose and galactose). By the way, table sugar (sucrose) consists of two saccharides, glucose and fructose.

The eight essential sugars are: mannose, galactose, fucose, xylose, glucose, sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine.

Glyconutrients are the saccharides in certain foods and nutritional supplements. They are so important that our bodies have developed a backup process for producing seven of the eight essential glyconutrients from one of the more readily available essential saccharides (glucose).

Glyconutrient supplements are not drugs and are not a cure or treatment for any particular illness. All they do is help the body to function normally (as it should) so that the body has a better chance of maintaining and healing itself naturally. Accurate communication between cells is VITAL for proper health and to synchronize many bodily functions. Including glyconutrients in our diets and/or taking glyconutrient supplements (just like we take vitamin and mineral supplements) is a way of helping to maintain proper health and longevity.

http://www.glyconutrients.net.au/

I have only just heard of this field and am interested in others' opinions :)

e

[bsheets]

Awww my post was moved :( I was really hoping someone following Atkins (the plan my eating is based on) could give me their informed opinion of sugar supplements on a low carb regimen.

But I'm open to anyone's opinion really :)

[oakdryad]

Erika, I googled glyconutrients and had a look at the wiki entry. Seems the term is used by a multi level marketing company and other supplement vendors. I think that pretty much says it all.

Sugars are not essential in our diet, there is no minimum daily requirement, no malnutrition resulting from not getting them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyconutrient

[Rosebud]

I would be very, very suspicious. ;)

First of all, try to find some sort of peer reviewed paper discussing the need for this "supplement." All I could find was sites trying to sell the stuff.

And read this: http://rachaph.wordpress.com/2006/04/21/glyconutrients-by-mannatech-snake-oil-for-ms-and-anything-else-that-ails-you/
If you look, you'll find more sites like this out there.

Cheers,

Roz

ETA: I've just moved this thread again - to the Supplements forum, seeing it's discussing supplements. Sorry it's running all around the place. :daze:

[bsheets]

Haha that's ok Rosebud, this final spot is probably the best one anyway :)

The lady I spoke to about it was selling the supps too (though I didn't know it at the time I was asking her heaps of questions) and she answered all my technical questions which gave me a good idea of the mechanics going on. Saw the wiki before my initial post but I have a slight learning disability and it just went over my head.

Cynthia, from what I gleaned from the supps-lady I quizzed, it doesn't seem it's in the same bracket as dietary sugars..... though I do remember studying mannose, galactose and glucose in Uni and they are dietary...

Rosebud, I couldn't find any peer reviewed studies either. Heard testimonials though (I know, I know). I will take a look at that link you provided - thanks. :agree:

[Dodger]

They are misusing the word 'essential'.
our bodies have developed a backup process for producing seven of the eight essential glyconutrients from one of the more readily available essential saccharides (glucose).If the body can make seven of the eight from glucose, then those seven are not essential. As the body can make glucose from amino acids, then glucose is not essestial either. So, none of the glyconutrients are essential.

[Gostrydr]

They are trying to rewrite good nutritional science stating that these are essential sugars..which is bunk

If you dig deep this company is in a lot of doo-doo and I think the founder is being sued and is in some serious trouble with the law.

I carried a few of the products in our store by request and some people loved them..others not so much...they are from plants and they HAVE to be good right??

[bsheets]

Hmmm it's funny. I really want to print off that link and post it to the woman who introduced me to Glyconutrients but I can predict her response - well I had chronic asthma for 25 years, almost died four times, tried every method known to man and this is the only one that had any results. So they can say what they will, but the results speak for themselves.

I wouldn't really know what to say to that - and I want to know. I've got a curious mind hehehe. I want to know exactly what it was that gave her this huge turnaround if a lot of these sugars really aren't as rare as they make out.

Could it simply be the mannose?

e