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.

Diabetic Foot Care Products: What Should Be Included In Your Diabetic Kit

Diabetics often have serious problems with their feet. This is partially because they usually lose sensation around this area, making it possible for blisters, cracks, and wounds to develop without the patient knowing it. If unattended, small wounds like these can exacerbate into severe complications such as gangrenes and ulcers. Needless to say, foot care products that were specially designed for diabetics are available to prevent any of these complications to appear.

Diabetic socks – Looking much like regular, ordinary socks, diabetic socks are footwear that prevent moisture and build-up of microorganisms that cause infections. These socks have several characteristics, however, that separate them from generic socks. These socks were made with comfort in mind. These were made from a combination of materials such as nylon, acrylic, cotton and elastic fibers that can provide the feet ample cushioning while keeping it cool and dry. These are seamless and are not made of wrinkle-prone materials that can cause and aggravate blisters. These can also help improve blood circulation since these have non-binding tops.

When choosing a diabetic sock, it is important to keep two important things in mind- comfort and protection. Design is secondary. The socks should fit snuggly, but comfortably. For more serious cases of foot deformities, patients are advised to wear wider socks. Also the fabric should not produce any uncomfortable sensations.

While manufacturers have already produced colored socks, white socks come highly recommended by podiatrists or foot doctors. It is easier to detect draining that can cause discoloration with lighter-colored socks.

Fungal nail treatments – People with diabetes are at risk of contracting nail fungus or onychomycosis, a condition that is characterized by discolored, disfigured, thickened, and split toenails and fingernails. There are various treatments for onychomycosis, including topical antifungals and oral medications. For more severe cases, surgery is needed.

Diabetic foot cream – Healthy and soft skin often make it harder for infections to spread throughout the feet. Dry skin, on the other hand, lead to cracks that make the skin on the feet more vulnerable to infections. A good diabetic cream may help moisturize areas that are especially dry. However, caution must be observed when using these creams. Generally, the skin in between the toes should not be dabbed with cream or oil as this often leads to complications.

Good-fitting shoes – A diabetic shoes need to be a special pair. Although of course there are a lot of online and local market vendors that sell specially fitted shoes for diabetics. A good pair of shoes for a diabetic is one that has a high and wide toebox, has removable insoles that can accommodate orthotics, has lesser pressure in areas of the shoes that usually cause feet problems such as calluses, blisters and wounds, and one that supports the feet very well.

Antifungal foot cream – A separate cream might be needed to fend off fungi and bacteria from forming deformities on the foot. Also, this can relieve symptoms like itching and burning sensation while adding in moisture into the skin to fortify its protection against microorganisms.

Pumice stone – This stone may come in handy for people who are suffering from excessive formations of calluses. This stone can gently remove layers of hardened skin. For better results, use pumice stone in combination with moisturizing soap or cream to help hydrate the tissues of hardened areas.