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Glyconutrients and ArthritisLearn About Glyconutrients and ArthritisHave you heard of ‘glyconutrients’? Do you know what they are and how helpful they can be to your health? In the simplest sense ‘glyconutrients’ are certain types of plant sugars! So they’re nutrients comprised of sugar! The term ‘glyconutrients’ however is nothing more than a marketing term. The correct name is ‘saccharides’ although you’ll most commonly see this written as ‘polysaccharides’ or monosaccharides (depending on the chemical structure of the specific sugar that’s being referred to). ‘Glyconutrients’ and ‘glyconutrition’ have, in recent years, been presented as a valuable form of alternative and complementary medicine because studies have shown that they have a significant effect on health. Their popularity can be credited to ‘Mannatech’, a large US multi level marketing company (MLM) who produce a range of products containing saccharides. So here’s the lowdown on glyconutrients – I’ll keep it short and simple since this page is devoted to glyconutrients and arthritis and not to an in-depth examination of saccharides themselves. Use it as a brief starting point to get a very basic understanding of glyconutrients and glycoproteins. I’m sure arthritis sufferers would much prefer to get straight to the point as to whether glyconutrients are truly a highly effective treatment for their arthritis. The answer to that is just below.
If you visit any website discussing glyco nutrients one of the first sentences you’ll read is something like this; "The term "glyconutrients" refers to eight specific sugars (saccharides) which help form important compounds called glycoproteins in your body. " “They are essential for the healthy functioning of all human cells.” Technically this is correct but factually it is incorrect as there are actually ten specific saccharides involved. In 2002 two more monosaccharides were discovered bringing the total to ten, up from the eight which were discovered in 1975. Mannatech stresses only the original 8 as these predominate and are the ones contained in their products. Saccharides form the core for carbohydrate and protein (glycoproteins and glycopeptides) in the human body. Ok - back to understandable English!! Just remember this - glycoproteins are essential molecules to the correct functioning of your body and for the maintenance or recovery of your good health. (If you’re really interested - they are sugar molecules attached to protein molecules.) They facilitate all (intra and inter) cell to cell communication - so it’s very important to have an adequate and steady supply of them in you so that your cells can optimally communicate with one another through this ‘sugar code’. For example, when you cut yourself your skin knows how to fill in the gap and seal itself because your cells communicate correctly with one another! All your processes, substance conversions, absorptions and secretions are managed by these biologically active sugars! But here’s the problem - of the 10 essential saccharides only 2 (glucose and galactose) are common in our ‘every day’ diets. The best sources of the essential saccharides are the inner leaf of the aloe vera plant, beta 1,3 Glucan, tea polysaccharides, goji berries and seaweed (phytoplankton). The short answer is a wide range. There have been numerous studies since the early 1980’s at reputable institutes worldwide. The results show that saccharides can;
and alleviate debilitating autoimmune diseases such as
Bacterial infections often respond extremely well to saccharides, as do many viruses such as the common cold, the flu, herpes and even HIV. For cancer patients, saccharides lessen the toxic effects of radiation and chemotherapy--while augmenting their cancer-killing effects, resulting in prolonged survival and improved quality of life. Ok- now we’ve come to the topic that attracted you to this page – glyconutrients and arthritis. Since the life threatening side effects of arthritis drugs such as Vioxx hit the headlines in 2004/2005 people have been looking for effective natural arthritis treatments – hence the interest in glyconutrients and arthritis. Since 1980 major studies have shown that the symptoms of osteoarthritis respond to glyconutrition. 1-2 (glyconutrients and arthritis) The most effective professional standard natural arthritis formulas in the market contain chondroitin and glucosamine both of which are glyconutrients. Glucosamine is required for the synthesis of glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans. Clinical evidence shows that glucosamine stimulates metabolism of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage and of synovial cells in the synovial tissues. Preliminary research suggests that glucosamine inhibits protein N-Glycosylation and cytokine-stimulated production of mediators of inflammation and cartilage degradation. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) belongs to a class of very large molecules called glucosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are made up of glucuronic acid and galactosamine. CS is itself a glycoprotein. It is used to treat osteoarthritis because it is found in cartilaginous tissues of most mammals and plays a function in the formation of the joint matrix structure. Rheumatoid arthritis has proved to be a much more difficult form of arthritis to treat. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves glyconutrients in peculiar ways. Certain cells in RA patients secrete abnormal IgG (immunoglobulin) glycoforms (various forms of molecules containing glyconutrients). In particular, IgG glycoforms in RA patients are missing required galactose molecules. The less galactose, the more severe the disease. The lack of galactose on the IgG molecule exposes N-acetyl glucosamine (a glyconutrient), which is capable of binding to mannose-binding-protein, MBP, circulating in blood plasma, and which subsequently causes a cascade of inflammation reactions. RA patients have been shown to have low levels of a further glyconutrient called Fucose. As with galactose, the less fucose, the more severe the disease. Glyconutrients and arthritis - So does supplementation with glyconutrients help people inflicted with RA? Studies say yes. Studies are demonstrating that glyconutrients suppress arthritic symptoms - hence the current popularity of glyconutrients and arthritis. Several studies have demonstrated that blocking the mannose receptor with extra dietary mannose, or mannose injections, or aloe vera extract prevents arthritic flares in rats. Recently there are reports of beneficial use of collagen administration in RA patients - collagen is rich in glyconutrients! (glyconutrients and arthritis) Scientists have also started to take a closer look at well known anti inflammatory herbs whose anti inflammatory properties have been recorded for thousands of years. Analyzes of the constituents of some of these herbs show they contain glyconutrients so this is an area where ongoing research is expected to further confirm the benefits of glyconutrients and arthritis.
An examination of glyconutrients and arthritis shows that saccharides are an effective natural treatment for many sufferers of osteoarthritis and to a lesser yet positive degree, rheumatoid arthritis. There are multiple credible studies to support this. In respect of RA more evidence is needed from major controlled studies on humans. In the meantime, the large number of positive anecdotal reports should provide encouragement that such studies will prove very beneficial. In addition to chondroitin and glucosamine there are other natural non-sugars that have clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of arthritis. The most effective natural arthritis treatments must therefore include all the following ‘arthritis nutrients’:
As you already know the two superstars in this glyconutrients and arthritis list are chondroitin and glucosamine. However, virtually all arthritis formulas contain glucosamine only in the sulfate form. When comparing arthritis supplements please be aware that there are different forms of glucosamine. (E.G. Glucosamine sulfate, D- Glucosamine HCL which is more than double the price of Glucosamine sulfate and Poly-N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine which is once again more than double the cost of D-Glucosamine HCL). Each form plays a role in addressing the cause of arthritis and joint pain. They all need one another to do their job properly in order to cover the widest possible spectrum of arthritis/joint conditions. Remember - most arthritis formulas contain only glucosamine sulfate! A further important consideration for choosing a supplement is to examine the potencies of the ingredients – these vary considerably from brand to brand. Most supplements are formulated to a price so the manufacturer can’t afford to include very high potencies. Chondroitin is an expensive ingredient so beware of cheaper supplements – they’ll contain weak potency chondroitin and not enough of it. Look for glucosamine and chondroitin was potencies of 95% and above. The nutrients in this list require cofactors to help absorption and allow them to perform their duties in your body. It takes the experience of a highly qualified bio-scientist to know all the correct cofactors and in the correct forms and amounts. Cofactors must include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and important essential fatty acids. On top of this your arthritis supplement should contain trace elements, herbal extracts and other specialty substances. To create the absolutely most effective arthritis formula possible your supplement needs even more complementary ingredients - especially those with anti-inflammatory properties. It should include the following:
Some of the more expensive ingredients above are susceptible to destruction by stomach acid (e.g. SAMe and enzymes). In fact SAMe is instantly destroyed if it comes in contact with stomach acid. Therefore they must be protected during their journey through the stomach by an enteric coating on the tablet. Tablets missing all these expensive ingredients don’t require enteric coating!
There is a state of the art arthritis supplement I'd like to recommend to you that meets every criteria mentioned and contains every ingredient above (and more). It contains all 3 forms of glucosamine. It was formulated by a world renowned bio-scientist who has been hired by many countries around the world to develop formulas that their own scientists couldn’t (including brain formulas for the NASA space program)!!! (glyconutrients and arthritis) It’s called Arthrit-Eze from the Xtend-Life company based in New Zealand. Arthrit-Eze has a WHOPPING 33 ingredients! Here’s a small extract from a description of this supplement by the chairman of Xtend-Life (used with permission): "...That's the simple bit and although glucosamine sulfate with chondroitin works for some people it is not effective for many others. There are a whole host of other substances that are needed and they have to be linked together in the correct proportions and their interaction examined at molecular level. This is what our R & D people have done. Specialized Ingredients... We have linked Cetyl Myristoleate into Celery Extract and Phellodendron Bark Extract and so on. We have combined these and much more, with some very specialized enzymes and co-factors that are crucial in reducing pain and maximizing the efficacy of other active ingredients. In fact, we have used 33 active ingredients and co-factors in such a way that they all enhance each other..." Arthrit-Eze contains an amazing6 standardized herbal extracts! These influence various immune functions, such as curtailing inflammatory responses, improving cellular functions (e.g. decrease production of IL-1, TNF, IL-6 and reducing T and B cell functions) and curtailing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Xtend-Life are so confident that they have produced the most effective natural arthritis treatment possible - they offer a 100% money back guarantee. Details are on their site. If you would like to learn more about Arthrit-Eze please follow this link
Glyconutrients and arthritis is an alternative medicine topic that I believe will continue to substantially increase in popularity as science continues to unravel further health benefits of saccharides – there are still unidentified sugars out there! As you’ve just read above glyconutrition doesn’t work equally for everyone so if you intend using glyconutrients for your arthritis, they should be complemented with the addition of as many as possible of the other proven ‘anti-arthritis nutrients’. That's why Xtend-Life's ' Arthrit-Eze is so appealing as it is based on the broadest spectrum arthritis formula available in the market. That brings us to the end of this article. I will continue to research glyconutrients and arthritis for you and if any substantial new clinical evidence appears I will add it into the site. Good Health Always! Glyconutrients and Arthritis – Sources:
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