Why Do We Need Food Supplements and Glyconutritionals?
Food is one of our most basic needs. However,
in ourmodern society fresh food is a thing of the past. Theso called fresh fruits and vegetables we buy today havelittle nutritional value because they are grown innutrient-deficient soil, picked before they ripennaturally, gassed, irradiated, artificially ripened andstored for days before we eat it. Therefore, our dietslack the essential building blocks of functional foodsvital to our health and well-being.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T GET THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?
Without functional foods the body cannot continue themiracle of healing itself as these foods provide theraw materials needed to assist in this healing processthus giving the body fuel to perform at optimum levels.
Without sufficient functional foods the following fourproblems exist for most people:
*Starvation: since most of our food is nutritionallystarved;
*Toxicity: many food products including rawfruits and vegetables contain toxins not to mention theair we breathe and the water we drink, which actuallywork against our body’s natural healing process;
*Stress: as a result of malnutrition and high levels oftoxicity;
*Degenerative disease: which can besymptomatic of nutritional deficiency and as a resultof stress on the body.
WHAT ARE THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?
Functional foods or Neutraceuticals are “foods that arethought to prevent disease” (Harvard Health LetterApril ’95). The building blocks of functional foods arecalled phytochemicals (plant chemicals) Thesephytochemicals (carbohydrates) are naturally occurringbioactive substances that prevent diseases byinteracting with the body’s innate healing process tomaintain vibrant health and energy.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THESE PHYTOCHEMICALS?
Of the 200 simple sugars (glyconutritionals) occurring inplants, only eight are known to be essential for cell-to-cell communication. These are only found in foodthat is ripened on the vine/tree and remain active for48 hours after being picked.
However, only two ofthese, glucose & galactose are found in modern diets.
The body can convert these two into the six missingsugars, but this enzymatic process is long (up to 20steps), unreliable and error-prone. Thus we need tosupplement our diets with these missing sugars.
WHY ARE THESE glyconutritionals SO IMPORTANT?
All cell surface receptors; binding and signalingcomponents are glycoproteins (proteins and sugar). Theyessentially act as the language between cells in ourbody. The glycoproteins are like the letters and wordsof a language. If the correct sugar (carbohydrate) isnot placed in the proper location, or is missing, theglycoprotein is not formed correctly and will not beable to carry out its function in the cell membrane.
Only effective cell membrane communication can make theproper cells for our organs.
The functional components of glyconutritionals appear toboost the production or activity of enzymes that actas:
1.Blocking agents: detoxifying carcinogens or keeping them from reaching or penetrating cells;
2.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:
(1)Decreased function of the immune system
(2)Increased oxidative stress
(3)Diminished/ faulty neurotransmitter function
(4)Poor/faulty cellular repair/regeneration
Glyconutritional supplementation will help give yourbody the ability to heal, correct, repair and protectitself. Therefore, it does not matter if you are in astate of sickness or considered healthy, you canbenefit from food supplementation, specificallyglyconutrient supplementation.
WHEN WERE THESE DISCOVERIES MADE?
The discovery of the importance of glycoproteins wasawarded the “Biochemical Discovery of’ the Year” in1996 by the American Naturopathic Medical Association.
The ANMA further released the statement “The mostSignificant Discovery of the Century”. “Almost withoutexception where ever two or more living cells interactin a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will beinvolved ” (Bio/’Technology, John Hodgson 1990). Majorstudies have recently indicated exciting revelationsregarding the significance of glycoproteins in ourdevelopment’, out- growth, and in the formation ofdisease.
WHO CAN USE THESE SUPPLEMENTS?
Scientists are suggesting that glyconutritionals mayprovide the missing link in the body’s amazing capacityto heal itself and sustain health. Thus anyone whoeats, drinks or breathes in today’s world is likely tobenefit from these supplements. These products wereselected by the American and Canadian Track and Fieldteams as supplements for athletes preparing for the2000 Olympics. Mannatech, the supplier, has the onlyinternational patent filed on a supplemental blend ofthe known necessary carbohydrates.
Disclaimer: I am not medically qualified todiagnose or treat people. The intention of this is to provide quality health and nutritionalinformation for it’s readers, but not to replace theadvice of physicians.
