The 8 Essential Glyconutrients That Should Be In Your Diet

Medical science has finally cracked the process of cellular communication, a breakthrough in understanding exactly how the process of communicating between one cell to another, or one cell to other microorganisms happens. Scientists have long wondered how the body determines which antibodies to release in case of an attack to the immune system or how the digestive system knows which nutrient to absorb and how best to absorb it. These and a much wider spectrum of cellular functions are now understood, thanks to the discovery of plant carbohydrates or monosaccharide called glyconutrients.

There are more than 200 known carbohydrates or sugars. However, only 8 of these are essential to how the body functions and only two of them appear on a constant basis in a typical American diet. These are:

Xylose - Usually a sugar in the production of chewing gums, xylose was recently discovered to help extensively in preventing the formation of cancer cells in the digestive system.

Fucose – Most abundant in some varieties of mushrooms, Undaria pinnatifida, a type of macro seaweed, and the milk of the human breast, fucose is an essential carbohydrate that has properties that can affect how the brain develops, how cells communicate, and how the immune system inhibits the growth of tumors in various areas of the body. It was also found to help prevent allergic reactions as well as guard the respiratory tract against contracting infections.

Galactose – Like fucose, galactose is found in high quantities in the human milk as well as other dairy products. Among its many benefits are accelerated wound healing, increase in calcium absorption, and reduction in inflammation.

Glucose – This is a good source of energy that is released directly into the bloodstream, thus it has the power to drive bodily functions faster than ordinary energy sources. In clinical studies, glucose has exhibited results like enhanced memory and better calcium absorption on top of enhancing cell to cell communication.

Mannose – Primarily obtained from the sap of Gum Ghatti, manose is a potent inhibitor of tumor growth and plays a major role in the prevention of various parasitic, fungal and bacterial infections. It also plays an important part in tissue remodeling.

N-acetylglucosamine – From N-acetylglucosamine comes glucosamine, a metabolic product that has properties suitable for relieving conditions commonly associated with severely deteriorated bones and cartilages. Glucosamine is known for repairing cartilage, for improving range of motion for patients with osteoarthritis and in relieving pain and inflammation associated with these conditions.

N-acetylgalactosamine – With limited information on this glyconutrient, it was found that it functions much like the rest of its kind. It can inhibit the growth of tumors in various parts of the body and is also crucial in cell to cell communication.

N-acetylneuraminic acid – This saccharide is known to decrease in level as the human body grows old. According to studies, it is crucial in performance, brain development, learning and memory as well as in the removal of various pathogens from the body.

These 8 essential glyconutrients, with their properties and health benefits, keep your health and bodily functions at optimal levels by focusing on the needs that arise from the cellular level. Each cell needs ample supply of these plant carbohydrates to improve the immune system and enhance its defenses, keep cellular communication efficient, and in general, create the appropriate conditions to keep health at its peak.