Glyconutrients Q&A Part 2

Q. If you were referring people to a website that sold glyconutrients, don't you think you would say good things about a glyconutrient product?
A. I could easily refer people to a website that sold a glyconutrient product and say good things about Mannatech glyconutrients on this page and get a referral commission. But since I don't have any proof that they treat or cure a disease or are any better than other sugar related supplements that are cheaper, no amount of money would influence my opinion.
Q. Hi Dr. Sahelian: I stand with you in your comments on glyconutrients. I had some patients that began to ask me questions. However, what I have found were the two studies you've found plus one dissertation http://gradworks.umi.com/31/84/3184894.html. Glyconutrients and cognition, perception, and memory by Stancil, Atiya Njeri, PhD, HOWARD UNIVERSITY, 2005, 55 pages; 3184894
I don't believe the dissertation has been published yet. I briefly read through the papers presented in the glyconutrition science website http://www.glycoscience.org/glycoscience/summary_display.wm?SECTION=MAIN&MAIN=productSpecific&CRITERIA=productSpecific. http://www.glycoscience.org/glycoscience/summary_display.wm?SECTION=MAIN&MAIN=productSpecific&CRITERIA=productSpecific> and http://www.avantrex.com/resources/Sweet2003-3.html. These are all sponsored by Mannatech and other pharmaceutical companies. They look promising, but I am like you, I would like to see the publications in the mainstream scientific journals.

Q. Dear Doctor: I am a retired medical doctor and read your web page on glyconutrient with great interest and have several comments that you may find helpful. If you look at the compositions of these glyconutrients (gum tragacanth, gum ghatti, arabinogalactan, aloe vera gel polysaccharides) you will note they are gums and fibers. These plant polysaccharides are soluble fiber and are not digestible. Therefore, their sugars could never be released and absorbed by the body. These fiber are destined to be fermented by the colonic bacteria in the gut where they are used as nutrients to make more bacteria. No study has ever shown that the human body absorbs sugars from a diet of fiber. Mannatech makes the sugars appear to be necessary and also essential by telling people they are no longer in the modern diet.
The truth is that these glycontutrient sugars can be obtained in the modern diet from the glycoforms that cover every cells, but these sugars are most likely made by the body from other sugars. They say these glycontutrient sugars are needed for optimal health. There has never been a study that shows taking more of these sugars has any health maintaining purpose. Mannatech brandishes every piece of scientific literature on glycoscience and glycomics as validating their product when in fact these paper have absolutely nothing to do with their glycontutrient product. This is a flagrant, although clever and deceptive, example of falsely misleading the consumer. It certainly puts a black mark on the otherwise legitimate dietary supplement industry and needs to be addressed.
Q. Hello Doctor. Below is part of an email that I recently received from a friend. My guess is that my friend is going to start selling this Ambrotose. It sure looks like a marketing scam (and a bunch of lies) to me. I did email your glyconutrient website link to her. This is what she had emailed me, "Hey I really want to talk to you about this new technology that I am promoting. Father Derrick is on this new wellness program I introduced him to, and he is very pleased. It is tops in the WORLD. Everyone on the planet will want it. It is a new discovery called Ambrotose. It is the discovery by a doctor who found that there are 8 essential sugars ( glyconutrients ) that help the body heal itself naturally plus more. It is outstanding discovery.
He has won three Nobel prizes, the glyconutrient product is patented in 20 countries, his wife is feeding it to the malnourish children in third world countries. she has reached 10,000 so far. they have a new life filled with hope and promise now. Use the stock market as a measure stick if you so wish...stocks are going higher and higher and higher. there is no limit. this is going to be the end of outrageous doctors cost, hospitalization, medication. People are going to take control back of their health - if they so choose it. Glyconutrients are another one of God's miracles in nature. It is a miracle the way the body does this. It is about cell to cell communication, and how they heal themselves with this Ambrotose. Pay attention....it is here... Look forward to hearing from you soon...
Q. Hi and thanks for allowing me to ask you all a question regarding Glyconutrition. First do you sell a glyconutrient product, and secondly, is a glyconutrient supplement safe to take orally? With all the different ingredients in Glyconutrients I'm concerned about it's safety record, especially with long-term use, as well as it's effectiveness.
A. Since we mention that there have been no disease treatment human studies with Mannatech glyconutrients that we are aware of, we can't say if they are effective or not. Also, we do not know the long term health consequences of a glyconutrient supplement, positive or negative.