Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in our
modern society fresh food is a thing of the past. The
so called fresh fruits and vegetables we buy today have
little nutritional value because they are grown in
nutrient-deficient soil, picked before they ripen
naturally, gassed, irradiated, artificially ripened and
stored for days before we eat it. Therefore, our diets
lack the essential building blocks of functional foods
vital to our health and well-being.


WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T GET THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?

Without functional foods the body cannot continue the
miracle of healing itself as these foods provide the
raw materials needed to assist in this healing process
thus giving the body fuel to perform at optimum levels.
Without sufficient functional foods the following four
problems exist for most people:

*Starvation: since most of our food is nutritionally
starved; *Toxicity: many food products including raw
fruits and vegetables contain toxins not to mention the
air we breathe and the water we drink, which actually
work against our body's natural healing process;
*Stress: as a result of malnutrition and high levels of
toxicity; *Degenerative disease: which can be
symptomatic of nutritional deficiency and as a result
of stress on the body.


WHAT ARE THESE FUNCTIONAL FOODS?

Functional foods or Neutraceuticals are "foods that are
thought to prevent disease" (Harvard Health Letter
April '95). The building blocks of functional foods are
called phytochemicals (plant chemicals) These
phytochemicals (carbohydrates) are naturally occurring
bioactive substances that prevent diseases by
interacting with the body's innate healing process to
maintain vibrant health and energy.


WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THESE PHYTOCHEMICALS?

Of the 200 simple sugars (glyconutritionals) occurring in
plants, only eight are known to be essential for cell-
to-cell communication. These are only found in food
that is ripened on the vine/tree and remain active for
48 hours after being picked. However, only two of
these, glucose & galactose are found in modern diets.
The body can convert these two into the six missing
sugars, but this enzymatic process is long (up to 20
steps), unreliable and error-prone. Thus we need to
supplement our diets with these missing sugars.


WHY ARE THESE glyconutritionals SO IMPORTANT?

All cell surface receptors; binding and signaling
components are glycoproteins (proteins and sugar). They
essentially act as the language between cells in our
body. The glycoproteins are like the letters and words
of a language. If the correct sugar (carbohydrate) is
not placed in the proper location, or is missing, the
glycoprotein is not formed correctly and will not be
able to carry out its function in the cell membrane.
Only effective cell membrane communication can make the
proper cells for our organs.

The functional components of glyconutritionals appear to
boost the production or activity of enzymes that act
as:

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 your
body the ability to heal, correct, repair and protect
itself. Therefore, it does not matter if you are in a
state of sickness or considered healthy, you can
benefit from food supplementation, specifically
glyconutrient supplementation.


WHEN WERE THESE DISCOVERIES MADE?
The discovery of the importance of glycoproteins was
awarded the "Biochemical Discovery of' the Year" in
1996 by the American Naturopathic Medical Association.
The ANMA further released the statement "The most
Significant Discovery of the Century". "Almost without
exception where ever two or more living cells interact
in a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be
involved " (Bio/'Technology, John Hodgson 1990). Major
studies have recently indicated exciting revelations
regarding the significance of glycoproteins in our
development', out- growth, and in the formation of
disease.


WHO CAN USE THESE SUPPLEMENTS?
Scientists are suggesting that glyconutritionals may
provide the missing link in the body's amazing capacity
to heal itself and sustain health. Thus anyone who
eats, drinks or breathes in today's world is likely to
benefit from these supplements. These products were
selected by the American and Canadian Track and Field
teams as supplements for athletes preparing for the
2000 Olympics. Mannatech, the supplier, has the only
international patent filed on a supplemental blend of
the known necessary carbohydrates.
- Copyright 2004 S. Lueck

Medical Disclaimer: I am not medically qualified to
diagnose or treat people. The intention of this
is to provide quality health and nutritional
information for it's readers, but not to replace the
advice of physicians.


More on: Glyconutritionals

Glyconutritional Rep. - who provides infomration on Mannatech's glyconutritional Ambrotose