Supplements and Glyconutritionals?
by: Theryssa Gossman
Why Do We Need Food Supplements
and Glyconutritionals?
Food
is one of our most basic needs. However, in our modern society fresh
food is a thing of the past. The so called fresh fruits and vegetables
we buy today have little nutritional value because they are grown in
nutrient-deficient soil, picked before they ripen naturally, gassed,
irradiated, artificially ripened and stored for days before we eat it.
Therefore, our diets lack the essential building blocks of functional
foods vital to our health and well-being.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T GET
THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?
Without functional foods the body
cannot continue the miracle of healing itself as these foods provide the
raw materials needed to assist in this healing process thus giving the
body fuel to perform at optimum levels. Without sufficient functional
foods the following four problems exist for most people:
Starvation: since most of our
food is nutritionally starved;
Toxicity: many food products
including raw fruits and vegetables contain toxins not to mention
the air we breathe and the water we drink, which actually work
against our body's natural healing process;
Stress: as a result of
malnutrition and high levels of toxicity;
Degenerative disease: which can
be symptomatic of nutritional deficiency and as a result of stress
on the body.
WHAT ARE THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?
Functional foods or Neutraceuticals
are "foods that are thought to prevent disease" (Harvard Health Letter
April '95). The building blocks of functional foods are called
phytochemicals (plant chemicals) These phytochemicals (carbohydrates)
are naturally occurring bioactive substances that prevent diseases by
interacting with the body's innate healing process to maintain vibrant
health and energy.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THESE
PHYTOCHEMICALS?
Of the 200 simple sugars
(glyconutritionals) occurring in plants, only eight are known to be
essential for cell- to-cell communication. These are only found in food
that is ripened on the vine/tree and remain active for 48 hours after
being picked. However, only two of these, glucose & galactose are found
in modern diets. The body can convert these two into the six missing
sugars, but this enzymatic process is long (up to 20 steps), unreliable
and error-prone. Thus we need to supplement our diets with these missing
sugars.
WHY ARE THESE glyconutritionals
SO IMPORTANT?
All cell surface receptors; binding
and signaling components are glycoproteins (proteins and sugar). They
essentially act as the language between cells in our body. The
glycoproteins are like the letters and words of a language. If the
correct sugar (carbohydrate) is not placed in the proper location, or is
missing, the glycoprotein is not formed correctly and will not be able
to carry out its function in the cell membrane. Only effective cell
membrane communication can make the proper cells for our organs.
The functional components of
glyconutritionals appear to boost the production or activity of enzymes
that act as:
Blocking agents: detoxifying
carcinogens or keeping them from reaching or penetrating cells;
Suppressing agents: restraining
malignant changes in cells that have been exposed to carcinogens.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THESE FOOD
SUPPLEMENTS?
There are four basic reasons why
people get sick. These are:
Decreased function of the
immune system
Increased oxidative stress
Diminished/ faulty
neurotransmitter function
Poor/faulty cellular
repair/regeneration
Glyconutritional supplementation
will help give your body the ability to heal, correct, repair and
protect itself. Therefore, it does not matter if you are in a state of
sickness or considered healthy, you can benefit from food
supplementation, specifically glyconutrient supplementation.
WHEN WERE THESE DISCOVERIES
MADE? The discovery of the importance of glycoproteins was awarded
the "Biochemical Discovery of' the Year" in 1996 by the American
Naturopathic Medical Association. The ANMA further released the
statement "The most Significant Discovery of the Century". "Almost
without exception where ever two or more living cells interact in a
specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be involved "
(Bio/'Technology, John Hodgson 1990). Major studies have recently
indicated exciting revelations regarding the significance of
glycoproteins in our development', out- growth, and in the formation of
disease.
WHO CAN USE THESE SUPPLEMENTS?
Scientists are suggesting that glyconutritionals may provide the missing
link in the body's amazing capacity to heal itself and sustain health.
Thus anyone who eats, drinks or breathes in today's world is likely to
benefit from these supplements. These products were selected by the
American and Canadian Track and Field teams as supplements for athletes
preparing for the 2000 Olympics. Mannatech, the supplier, has the only
international patent filed on a supplemental blend of the known
necessary carbohydrates. - Copyright 2004 S. Lueck
Medical Disclaimer: I am not
medically qualified to diagnose or treat people. The intention of this
is to provide quality health and nutritional information for it's
readers, but not to replace the advice of physicians.