What are Glyconutrients?
Glyconutrients are not vitamins, minerals, amino acids or enzymes, but
are in a class of their own as nutritional supplements derived from plants.
Glyconutritional supplements are formulated based on new understanding
in the biochemistry of how the human body maintains health at the cellular
level. Healthy cells lead to healthy tissue - healthy tissue leads to healthy
organs - and healthy organs lead to healthy bodies. Despite the relatively
recent discovery of glyconutrients and their functions, medical doctors
and the general public are becoming increasingly aware of their importance
in treating underlying causes of disease and in maintaining good health.
A glyconutritional approach gets at the root cause rather than treating
only the symptoms.
There are over 20,000 studies conducted annually on glycoforms alone. Researchers from
universities Oxford and John Hopkins and major pharmaceutical companies
realize the importance of this new discovery. Studies confirm that the
eight essential biologically active sugars can accomplish amazing results.
The following are just a few examples of the exciting possibilities of
Glyconutrition ( Page 20: Scientific Research Backing Glyconutrition):
- Dramatically raises natural killer cell and macrophage count against infectious organisms.
- Activates immune T-cell activity only when invaders or antigens are present.
- Decreases cell death in chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Dramatically elevates disease resistance in weakened individuals.
- Acts as antioxidant compounds, which boost the collection of dangerous free radicals.
- Protects the body against toxin and pollutant exposure.
- Slows premature aging.
- Decreases inflammation in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Helps immune cells recognize invaders due to a mutual sugar exchange of information.
- Enables cellular components to stick to each other initiating the right reactions.
Martin Milner, N.D., - "We are finding glyconutrient deficiencies associated
with a large range of diseases."
Dr. John Rollins - "Glyconutrients are one of the most important health care
discoveries of the 21st century." Dr. Rollins is the former Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Howard University’s
School of Medicine
Dr. M. Schlachter, MD; - "The Biggest revolutionary change in the
war against disease is represented by Glyconutrients"
Sugars are going to be the Molecules of the Future
Dr
John Axford - "Sugars are going to be the molecules of the future.
Glycobiology is one of the last frontiers of science to be conquered and
is going to be at the cutting edge of a large number of discoveries and
therapies over the next decade." Dr Axford
is; immediate past-President of the Royal Society of Medicine, Section
of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
Putting the terms "sugar" and "health" together seems almost like a paradox, but
emerging evidence shows that certain types of sugars - commonly called
saccharides or glyconutrients - are responsible for fighting off disease
and maintaining overall health. These sugars have been shown to reverse
autoimmune disorders and diabetes, ease allergy symptoms, lower risk of
heart disease, and improve overall function of the body's immune processes.
Common infections, including cold, flu, ear infections, and herpes, respond
well to use of saccharides, as do symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
and lupus. Even cancer patients have found gylconutrients to enhance traditional
treatments while lessening their debilitating side effects.
The sugars found on all glyconutrients saccharides
also address the workings of the brain and nervous system from memory
and sleep to anxiety, and depression. In addition, they have a role in helping
the body handle cholesterol and fats by lowering triglycerides and low-density
lipoproteins (LDL) while, at the same time, raising the good cholesterol
(HDL). Commercials have long touted the benefits of eating oatmeal to bring
down cholesterol. What is not mentioned is that it is the sugars (beta-glucans)
in oatmeal that are responsible.
Another important essential sugar function (saccharides);
is to help retain bone density and muscle mass. The body undergoes wear
and tear as it ages. Cells and tissues need to be replaced, remodeled,
and renewed continually. Exercise helps the body to develop new blood vessels
while increasing muscle mass. Certain kinds of tissues adapt to exercise
by increasing the size and number of cells. Adaptation, healing, and recovery
are all forms of tissue remodeling. Essential sugars play important roles
in these processes.
There is so much potential to these sugars (saccharides);
that it is mind-boggling. What is included here is only just the beginning
of what is to come. The excitement that must have reverberated when penicillin
was developed is nothing compared to the excitement as science continues
to find out all the capabilities of this maligned substance. This is not
a gimmick or a fad but the actual foundation upon which other nutrients
can build. We will all have to stay tuned.
Without the proper nutrients, our organs and body systems begin a slow process
of degeneration. Degenerative diseases are the leading cause of death in
this country, and are growing dramatically. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease,
arthritis -- these are degenerative processes that cause immeasurable human
suffering. In addition, emotional stress in the 20th Century is at an all
time high and directly impacts our well-being. Glyconutrients can replace
the precious nutrients missing in today's food supply. They can provide
superior nutritional support for total body health. Taken daily, they supply
your organs and body systems with a rich density of chemistry, nutrition
and raw materials that helps them to repair, regenerate and function at
their best.
When used along with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation, glyconutrients
(saccharides); have proven to help lessen the side effects of these
treatments while helping the body to recover and heal itself more quickly
than if only the treatments were implemented. More studies are now underway
due to the breakthrough findings in this initial research period. In fact,
The National Institutes of Health in the Fall of 2001 awarded The Scripps
Research Institute in San Diego, CA a $34 million grant to understand how
cells and the immune system use these sugars. Science Magazine in March,
2001 dedicated the major part of an issue to summarizing the extensive
research currently underway in the field of glycobiology and the great
potential health benefits in applying this new understanding.
Dietary saccharides (healthy sugars) are not only a source of energy, they also serve important
structural and functional roles in the human body. Consumption of fresh,
unprocessed plant foods, which contain free monosaccharides and polysaccharide
fibers, is strongly correlated with numerous health benefits, including
protection from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The health benefits
conferred by monosaccharide consumption are gaining increased attention.
The benefits of polysaccharide fiber consumption are largely based on the
mechanical abilities of fiber to bind toxins, add bulk to feces (which
speeds intestinal transit time), influence intestinal nutrient absorption
rates (which modulates plasma glucose levels), and bind bile acids (which
lowers plasma cholesterol levels).
Scientists have recently discovered that our modern
diet is missing some very vital nutrients, and surprisingly enough, these missing nutrients are
essential fatty acids and essential sugars.
Now scientists and nutritionists are just beginning to understand that
there are essential sugars as well. Eight essential sugar compounds function
individually as building blocks to assemble a nearly infinite variety of
complex molecules known as glycans or sugar chains.; The bad news
is that we are only getting; two of the eight monosaccharides (glucose
and Galactose) in our modern day diets. More and more researchers and informed
doctors have concluded that this deficiency is one of the major contributing
factors to our declining immune system function and the corresponding dramatic
increase in disease. Glyconutrients research field has been in numerous
peer reviewed articles and text such as Harper's Biochemistry, Acta-Anotomica (has the latest tech grad level research
in cellular biology - published in Europe), Science Magazine, and Positive
Health and Magazine.
Optimum Cell-to-Cell Communication
Dr. Hugo Rodier M.D. - "Most of the Nobel prizes in Medicine
and Biology have been awarded to the concept of cell communication,
which is how our 100 trillion cells get their metabolic function coordinated
(J. Science, November 26th, 2004.) They do this through a system of messages,
which are well-known molecules like hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes,
etc. They form a vast network of communication, which should have never
been separated into different components. The Psycho-Neuro-Immune-Endocrine
system of cell communication to coordinate our metabolism is now considered
to be the cornerstone of health and function in cutting edge research.
Cell communication takes place mostly at the level of the outer cell
membrane, which is equipped with antennae, or radar-like glycoproteins.
These receptors are literally shaped into lock-like structures, by
the energy produced within the cells themselves. Messages turn out to be
key-like glycoproteins, or molecules that will need to match the lock,
or receptors on the cell membranes for listening to occur. The mitochondria
are specialized organelles in charge of producing the energy necessary
to fuel all activity within the cell. Mitochondria function takes place
mostly in their own cell membranes, too. While the nuclei are very important
to all cells, they are only a blue print to guide the production of each
cell. The messages therein produced, are sent from the cell membrane, and
received by other cells membranes throughout the body (J. Science, May
31st, 2002, 2003; 300:1461-1604.)
Naturally, the cell membrane becomes an extremely important part of
cell communication and function. The cell membrane is the very interface
between each cell and its environment. Cells are totally dependent on the
environment in our bodies. Said environment is created by our very lifestyles.
Poor foods, polluted air and water, poor relationships, etc, provide toxic
environments, thereby compromising cell membrane function
("The Biology of Belief", Bruce Lipton, 2005, "Quantum Cellular Biology, J. Medical Hypothesis 2001; 57:358.)
So, the structure and function of our cell membranes is extremely important
for our receptors to successfully receive the messages generated from other
cells, thus coordinating our cells’ metabolism and function. And, what
are our cell membranes made up of? Sugars, proteins and fats! In other
words, nutrition provides not only the fuel needed for our cells to function,
but also the very molecules our cells need to be structured properly. A
failure to eat properly will result in practically all manner of diseases.
No wonder that food is the best medicine!
The wrong processed sugars,
fats both saturated and transhydrogenated,
and proteins (animals exposed to many toxins for example) will compromise cell membrane structure and function. As noted
above, this compromises cell communication, AND thusly, the ability of
each cell to produce energy. Simply put, all cell function will then be
compromised, and practically all diseases will manifest themselves. This
is why the right foods, those foods which contain the most healthy sugars,
fats, and proteins will support body function and structure better than less gifted foods.
A classical example of a failure to communicate (think of Cool Hand Luke) at the cellular level is
Insulin resistance, the scourge of our modern days. Simply put, our cell membranes
throughout the body are becoming rigid and inflexible, because of poor
dietary intake, environmental pollution, and stressful lifestyles, thus
compromising response to the most important metabolic messenger: insulin.
Insulin finds the receptors and the cell membrane of our cells somewhat
unresponsive, which can trigger practically all diseases ("Second world
congress on the insulin resistance syndrome J. Diabetes Care 2005;28:2073.)
We can say that consumption of refined sugars,
which is rampant and addictive in our society, constitutes a source of
toxicity to the cell membranes. With these types of foods, cell membranes
also become inflamed, since they lack the micronutrients to quell the fire
produced by our metabolic furnaces. These processed foods lack antioxidants
to neutralize all the oxidating free radicals produced by our metabolic
furnaces, and`by toxins in the environment. Thus, our cell membranes also
become oxidized. Since the mitochondria (our cell furnaces) also depend
on healthy cell membranes (composed of the right sugars, fats, and proteins)
to produce energy, or metabolize, poor nutrition will cause mitochondrial
dysfunction: These are the most basic mechanisms known in modern medicine
(J. American Medical Association 2004; 291:358.
Glyconutrients and Stem Cell Production
Dr. Reg McDaniel talks about first seeing new stem cells in the peripheral
blood of clients using glyconutrients many years ago and not recognizing
these cells as stem cells. They were 10 times the size of white blood cells
and they were given the name "Gee" cells for some time as that's what Dr.
Reg said when he observed these new cells that no one could identify! Now
we have the tools to identify these cells appropriately as stem cells which
can be used as "master keys" to move to places in the body as the body
calls for. About a year ago there was an article in JAMA regarding the
stem cells implants of male cells into female bodies of women with leukemia
who had received a stem cell transplant. When these women died, male marked
cells were found as neurons in the brain.
Dr. Reg realized that this might offer an explanation in the many children
with fetal alcohol syndrome that were doing so well with the glyconutrients
and others who had advanced so far beyond their perceived genetic limitations.
He told the story of several adopted aboriginal children in Canada who
had fetal alcohol syndrome who have done remarkably well, improving from
IQ's estimated to be around 50 to levels around 100. One girl who had difficulties
with reading and numbers and was in remedial classes after 3 years with
glyconutrients was able to read a Harry Potter book in a week and discuss
what she had read.
When they measure the before and after stem cell counts in the blood,
virtually none are detectable prior to glyconutrieints. Within a week of
giving glyconutrients, there are 200-400 stem cells seen in a microliter
of blood with about 5-10 thousand white blood cells. If one extrapolates
to the whole;body,
it is possible that there are 1.7-3 trillion new stem cells throughout
our body as we add in glyconutrients. We're at the beginning of understanding
all of what is possible with stem cells. There is an article in the June
Scientific American if you want to read more about stem cells.
The Missing Nutrients
Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D. says that phytoplankton,
a rich source of glyconutrients, contains almost everything one needs to
sustain life and to restore health by providing the raw materials to make
new cells that function normally. Marine phytoplankton has been called
"the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet". Containing
a wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll,
enzymes and cellular materials, marine phytoplankton promotes and maintains
optimum health by boosting and supporting all systems within the body.
Its antioxidants and unique polysaccharides can halt the genetic mutations
that can lead to cancer. Both high levels of saccharides and adaptogens
increase energy and stamina by improving our ability to consume and use
oxygen. Adaptogens also improve cardiovascular health by strengthening
the heart and circulation.
Michael D. Schlachter, M.D; "After seeing the benefits and noting the
scientific validation of these nutrients, I no longer consider the addition
of proper nutrients to the diet as a luxury.; It is a fundamental
and integral part of helping my patients achieve and maintain the health
that they want and deserve. The biggest revolutionary change in the war
against disease is represented by glyconutrients. If you do not want to
become a patient (and therefore a statistic) you need to answer in your
own mind and heart if what you are doing for your health is optimal, and
if not what else can you do."; Michael
D. Schlachter, MD, is on the Board Certified Internal Medicine and Pulmonary
Disease, Clinical Instructor at the University of Nevada Medical School.
Susan Lord, M.D - "Glyconutrients came to my attention, actually, about two
years ago, when I was working with a patient with hepatitis-C. I had pulled
out all of the stops with her, and I was getting nowhere, and her health
condition was deteriorating before my eyes, to the point that she was nearly
bedridden. Working on the Internet, she came across these products called
glyconutrients and started taking them. She stopped everything that I gave
her and started; nothing but these, and her health
started improving immediately, to the point where she is in excellent health
today. That got my attention. Last year for our cancer conferences, I did
more research on these supplements. I understood that they seemed to be
helping cancer patients who had gone through chemo and radiation. It helped
them with quality of life and keeping their blood counts up. Last year
at the cancer conference, we invited Dr. Glen Holland (?), who is an oncologist
from the Midwest, to come and to give a very, very preliminary presentation
about these compounds. It was a little more than anecdotal. He did have
some data, but it was very preliminary. But it looked promising."
Angie's stage 3 cancer recovery with glyconutrients: "My surgery was September
29th. I started taking glyconutrients before surgery but only what the
bottle recommended. After surgery and the pathology report came back, I
started taking a lot more because of the state I was in, (stage III). I
went back in for a scan in December, 6 weeks after taking the larger amounts,
and the two areas of tumor that were remaining after surgery were gone.
I could not believe it. My oncologist could not compare with the previous
scan, but my surgeon said, "Hmm, this looks much better than what I expected."
So, I continued with the glyconutrients and other products. I went back
in for a scan in March and my oncologist said , "Your scans look great.
Keep taking your glyconutrients and we'll see you in another three months."
My surgeon said, "Scans look great. There is no tumor, no edema (swelling).
This is what we want and hope to see, but don't always get it." Again I
was very excited. I did not completely ignore my doctors, I simply put
their treatment plan on hold, while I pursued another path less harmful
to my body. I still go in for scans every three to four months as they
recommended. In the show I was quoted at the end of program saying the
doctor told us "there wasn't much change." That quote was my doctor indicating
there wasn't much change from the December scan to the March scan. That's
because they were both good scans!
Rock-solid scientific evidence discovered at major universities around
the globe back up the historical usage of the Goji
berry with 71 different studies now published proving its benefits.
One of the most exciting things about the ongoing research is that more
and more studies on the Goji berry are being published each year, including
11 published in 2004, 9 published in 2005 and 4 more already published
in 2006! These studies cover many aspects of health including the brain,
vision, immune system enhancement, and many others. You can view abstracts
of these studies by going to www.pubmed.org, the United States Government
sponsored Website, and typing in the Latin name for the Goji berry, Lycium
barbarum.
Goji berries and marine phytoplankton contain
important phytonutrient compounds, that work
in the body as directors and carriers of the instructions that cells use
to communicate with each other. These polysaccharides are Master Molecules
that command and control many of the body's most important defense systems.
Goji of Himalayan quality exhibits a balanced polysaccharide profile and a
uniquely potent Spectral Signature.
Dr. John Axford, MD, leading expert in this new field of glycobiology
and President of Clinical Immunology, Royal Academy of Medicine, stated
at a health conference last year, Sugars are going to be the molecules
of the next decade. Glycobiology is one of the last frontiers of science
to be conquered and it's going to be at the cutting edge of a large number
of discoveries and therapies over the next decade. Ancient Chinese healers
have been using this Goji berry for centuries ...and time has proven its
effectiveness in the anti-aging category... however science has just now
begun to explore all of its properties.
"The results that I have
seen with hundreds of people are truly astonishing... I consider Goji Juice
the cornerstone of my approach to health and vitality. Virtually every
one of your important physiologic systems can benefit from Goji."
- Dr. Ron Friedman, M.D., residency done at Harvard
Medical School
"I would recommend Goji Juice
to practically anyone. The results I have seen are nothing short of astonishing.";
- Dr. Marc Westaway, M.D., University of Queensland
Medical School
"In the 25 years I've worked in the wellness industry, I've never seen nor experienced greater benefit
than I have with Goji Juice. I don't think it's unreasonable to call Goji,
literally, the Fountain of Youth."; - Dr. Sandra
Lee Boice, M.S., Ph.D. in Clinical Nutrition
"Although my personal benefits
from drinking Goji Juice have been quite impressive, the results that others
with whom I have shared it with have often been absolutely astounding.
The Goji berry is nature's perfect food because it has such a high density
of nutrients."; - Dr. Matt Silver, M.D., Family
Practice physician with more than 18 years clinical practice
Lycium barbarum (the Latin name for the Goji berry)
"Traditionally the Goji berry has been used to treat inflammation, skin
irritation, nose bleeds, aches, pains and as a sedative. It is also commonly
used with other botanicals in Chinese medicine for
poor vision, anemia,
and cough. A polysaccharide isolated from lycium has been shown to have
anti-tumorigenic, immune enhancing, and hepatoprotective properties in
vitro. It also showed radiosensitizing effects in mice. Data from an observational
study done in China in 1994 involving 75 cancer patients suggest that Lycium
Barbarum Polysaccharides may be beneficial when used with certain cancer
treatments. However, well designed clinical trials are needed to verify
this effect. It is also unclear if similar effects can be observed with
cancer treatments that are currently in use."
Lycium barbarum is undergoing intense scrutiny as an anti-malignant drug in
Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Switzerland.; It has been found
that the fruit, as well as an extract from its leaves, can kill many kinds
of; malignant cells in vitro.; In vivo studies and human studies
are proving to be highly promising.; Goji Juice (lycium
barbarum) contains approximately
124 ppm of organic Germanium.; Germanium has been demonstrated to
have anti-malignant activity. Japanese studies indicate that organic Germanium
is effective in treating liver malignancy, lung malignancy, uterine malignancy,
cervical malignancy, and testicular malignancy when combined with other
drugs.;; It has been found to induce the production in human
beings of g-interferon. Interferon can depress and even kill malignant
cells.; Germanium possesses the power to take over the hydrogen ion
from malignant cells. Losing hydrogen ions can cause depression and even
death to malignant cells.; Besides Germanium, this berry has other
components that act against malignancy. These other components appear to
be able to depress or block the synthesis of the malignant cells' DNA,
which interferes with the cells' ability to divide and thus lowers the
reproductive capacity of the malignant cells.
In Asia, the Goji berry (Lycium
barbarum) has been used as a primary allergy therapy for centuries.
The noted ethnobotanist, Dr. James A. Duke, classifies Goji as an immunomodulator
— an enhancing substance that can balance and normalize abnormal immune
response. The Mongolian Institute of Traditional Medicine reported that
Goji has been used in the treatment of atrophic gastritis, weakened digestion
due to reduced stomach activity.; Patients consumed 10 grams of the
whole fruits each time, three times daily before meals for two months and
longer with excellent results.; Goji Juice contains 8 kinds of amino
acids (six times higher than bee pollen), of which 8 are indispensable
amino acids for the human body (such as isoleucine and tryptophan).;
50% of the each Goji berry's amino acids are free amino acids.; Goji
Juice contain 21 trace minerals, (of which the main ones are zinc, iron
and copper) and 500 times the amount of vitamin C by weight than oranges.;
Goji Juice is loaded with vitamin B1, B2, B6 and vitamin E. Mature fruits
contain about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams, as well as glucose, fructose,
vitamin C, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid
(a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids
(zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).
Source of Glyconutrients, Saccharides
- Fulvic minerals - Scientists theorize that mineral deficiency subjects us to more diseases,
aging, sickness and destruction of our physical well-being than any other factor in
personal health. A great many known aliments, around 60, are directly linked to mineral
deficiency. Organic fulvic acids are created by micro-organisms in the soil, for the purpose
of transporting minerals and nutrients from the soil into the plant. Muco-polysacharrides
(complex carbohydrate sugars) flow throughout the plant for nourishment. Some are returned to the roots.
- Dr. Jean Marcoux M.D - "Almost everyone I put on
Immunocal tells me that they feel better as soon
as they start taking the product. This is explained by the fact that Immunocal brings
to all the cells in our body, the building blocks necessary to produce
glutathione, a small protein that each cell needs to function properly.
In severe asthmatics taking Immunocal, the attacks become less frequent and less severe.
The need for medication is decreased, they sleep better, they don't miss work or school as
often, resulting in a better quality of life."
Dr. Jean Marcoux is a Board Certified Allergist, Immunologist
Scientific References
- Toyoda-Ono Y, Maeda M, Nakao M, Yoshimura M, Sugiura-Tomimori N, Fukami
H. 2-O-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid, a novel ascorbic acid analogue
isolated from Lycium fruit. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Apr 7;52(7):2092-6.
- Breithaupt DE, Weller P, Wolters M, Hahn A. Comparison of plasma responses
in human subjects after the ingestion of 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin dipalmitate
from wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) and non-esterified 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin using
chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. Br J Nutr. 2004 May;91(5):707-13.
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Cheng CY, Chung WY, Szeto YT, Benzie IF. Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response
to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation
trial. Br J Nutr. 2005 Jan;93(1):123-30.
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Wu SJ, Ng LT, Lin CC. Antioxidant activities of some common ingredients
of traditional chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, Lycium barbarum and
Poria cocos. Phytother Res. 2004 Dec;18(12):1008-12.
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Zhao H, Alexeev A, Chang E, Greenburg G, Bojanowski K. Lycium barbarum
glycoconjugates: effect on human skin and cultured dermal fibroblasts.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):131-7.
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Gan L, Zhang SH, Liu Q, Xu HB. A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium
barbarum upregulates cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear
cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Jun 27;471(3):217-22.
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Gan L, Hua Zhang S, Liang Yang X, Bi Xu H. Immunomodulation and antitumor
activity by a polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2004 Apr;4(4):563-9.