| Why Do We Need Food Supplements and | | | | like the letters and wordsof a language. If the |
| Glyconutritionals? | | | | correct sugar (carbohydrate) isnot placed in the |
| Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in | | | | proper location, or is missing, theglycoprotein is |
| ourmodern society fresh food is a thing of the | | | | not formed correctly and will not beable to carry |
| past. Theso called fresh fruits and vegetables we | | | | out its function in the cell membrane. |
| buy today havelittle nutritional value because they | | | | Only effective cell membrane communication can |
| are grown innutrient-deficient soil, picked before | | | | make theproper cells for our organs. |
| they ripennaturally, gassed, irradiated, artificially | | | | The functional components of glyconutritionals |
| ripened andstored for days before we eat it. | | | | appear toboost the production or activity of |
| Therefore, our dietslack the essential building | | | | enzymes that actas: |
| blocks of functional foodsvital to our health and | | | | 1.Blocking agents: detoxifying carcinogens |
| well-being. | | | | orkeeping them from reaching or penetrating cells; |
| WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T GET THESE | | | | 2.Suppressing agents: restraining malignant |
| FUNCTIONAL FOODS? | | | | changesin cells that have been exposed to |
| Without functional foods the body cannot continue | | | | carcinogens. |
| themiracle of healing itself as these foods provide | | | | WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THESE FOOD |
| theraw materials needed to assist in this healing | | | | SUPPLEMENTS? |
| processthus giving the body fuel to perform at | | | | There are four basic reasons why people get sick. |
| optimum levels. | | | | These are: |
| Without sufficient functional foods the following | | | | (1)Decreased function of the immune system |
| fourproblems exist for most people: | | | | (2)Increased oxidative stress |
| *Starvation: since most of our food is | | | | (3)Diminished/ faulty neurotransmitter function |
| nutritionallystarved; *Toxicity: many food products | | | | (4)Poor/faulty cellular repair/regeneration |
| including rawfruits and vegetables contain toxins | | | | Glyconutritional supplementation will help give |
| not to mention theair we breathe and the water | | | | yourbody the ability to heal, correct, repair and |
| we drink, which actuallywork against our body's | | | | protectitself. Therefore, it does not matter if you |
| natural healing process; | | | | are in astate of sickness or considered healthy, |
| *Stress: as a result of malnutrition and high levels | | | | you canbenefit from food supplementation, |
| oftoxicity; *Degenerative disease: which can | | | | specificallyglyconutrient supplementation. |
| besymptomatic of nutritional deficiency and as a | | | | WHEN WERE THESE DISCOVERIES MADE? |
| resultof stress on the body. | | | | The discovery of the importance of glycoproteins |
| WHAT ARE THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS? | | | | wasawarded the "Biochemical Discovery of' the |
| Functional foods or Neutraceuticals are "foods that | | | | Year" in |
| arethought to prevent disease" (Harvard Health | | | | 1996 by the American Naturopathic Medical |
| Letter | | | | Association. |
| April '95). The building blocks of functional foods | | | | The ANMA further released the statement "The |
| arecalled phytochemicals (plant chemicals) | | | | most |
| Thesephytochemicals (carbohydrates) are | | | | Significant Discovery of the Century". "Almost |
| naturally occurringbioactive substances that | | | | withoutexception where ever two or more living |
| prevent diseases byinteracting with the body's | | | | cells interactin a specific way, cell surface |
| innate healing process tomaintain vibrant health | | | | carbohydrates will beinvolved " (Bio/'Technology, |
| and energy. | | | | John Hodgson 1990). Majorstudies have recently |
| WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THESE | | | | indicated exciting revelationsregarding the |
| PHYTOCHEMICALS? | | | | significance of glycoproteins in ourdevelopment', |
| Of the 200 simple sugars (glyconutritionals) | | | | out- growth, and in the formation ofdisease. |
| occurring inplants, only eight are known to be | | | | WHO CAN USE THESE SUPPLEMENTS? |
| essential for cell-to-cell communication. These are | | | | Scientists are suggesting that glyconutritionals |
| only found in foodthat is ripened on the vine/tree | | | | mayprovide the missing link in the body's amazing |
| and remain active for | | | | capacityto heal itself and sustain health. Thus |
| 48 hours after being picked. However, only two | | | | anyone whoeats, drinks or breathes in today's |
| ofthese, glucose & galactose are found in modern | | | | world is likely tobenefit from these supplements. |
| diets. | | | | These products wereselected by the American |
| The body can convert these two into the six | | | | and Canadian Track and Fieldteams as |
| missingsugars, but this enzymatic process is long | | | | supplements for athletes preparing for the |
| (up to 20steps), unreliable and error-prone. Thus | | | | 2000 Olympics. Mannatech, the supplier, has the |
| we need tosupplement our diets with these | | | | onlyinternational patent filed on a supplemental |
| missing sugars. | | | | blend ofthe known necessary carbohydrates. |
| WHY ARE THESE glyconutritionals SO | | | | - Copyright 2004 S. Lueck |
| IMPORTANT? | | | | Medical Disclaimer: I am not medically qualified |
| All cell surface receptors; binding and | | | | todiagnose or treat people. The intention of thisis |
| signalingcomponents are glycoproteins (proteins | | | | to provide quality health and nutritionalinformation |
| and sugar). Theyessentially act as the language | | | | for it's readers, but not to replace theadvice of |
| between cells in ourbody. The glycoproteins are | | | | physicians. |