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Glyconutrient is a term used by the multi-level marketing company Mannatech, and other supplement vendors, to describe dietary supplements that contain a blend of simple sugars (monosaccharides) which are found in glycoproteins.
Many of these companies use the term in labeling many of its products, glyconutrient
refers to mixtures of polysaccharides, such as exudate tree gums and
high molecular weight aloe vera extracts containing fermentable dietary
fiber and plant extracts, as well as simple sugars (typically a blend
and the precursors of the following eight simple sugars: Xylose, Fucose, Galactose, Glucose, Mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid) and starches
Studies
- In an in vitro
study whose lead author was a Mannatech Associate, glyconutrients were
added to samples of peripheral mononuclear cells taken from patients
with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). When these cells were subsequently exposed to cells infected with herpes,
they demonstrated increased activity compared with placebo. Other
abnormal immune parameters were also improved in the CFS cells. [1]
Health claims
Many glyconutrient supporters claim that these
sugars have become
deficient in the modern diet and that by supplementing the diet with
glycoproteins a wide array of health benefits including treating
disorders and diseases can be obtained.
The American
Cancer Society however does not agree. According to the American
Cancer Society "Available scientific evidence does not support
claims that people are deficient in these sugars, or that dietary
supplements containing them can prevent, treat, or cure cancer or any
other disease." [2] There are no reliable,
controlled studies to show that glyconutrients provide any improvement
against any medical disorder.[3]
The claims for the value of glyconutrients have
still not been
substantiated. In fact, a lawsuit was filed against Mannatech in
September 2005
for violations of the Exchange Act related to material
misrepresentations made by the company concerning its products'
efficacy and uses.[4]
References
- ^ See
DM, Cimoch P, Chou S, Chang J, Tilles J (1998). "The in vitro
immunomodulatory effects of glyconutrients on peripheral blood
mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome". Integrative physiological and behavioral science : the official journal of the Pavlovian Society 33 (3): 280–7. PMID 9829439. Retrieved on 2007-10-30. “"Dr. See is an Independent Mannatech Associate."”
- ^ American Cancer Society question page for glyconutrients
- ^ Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, January 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
- ^ Milberg
Weiss Announces the Filing of a Class Action Lawsuit Against Mannatech,
Inc. and Certain Individual Defendants on Behalf Of Investors. Business Wire. September 12, 2005. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
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Nutrition 
