Glyconutrients

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Glyconutrients
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Glycoprotein

• Glycoproteins are proteins that contain
  oligosaccharide chains (glycans) covalently
  attached to their polypeptide side-chains.
• The process of attaching the glycans is known as
  glycosalation.
• The sugar groups attached to glycoprotein can
  assist in protein folding or improve a proteins
  stability.

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Functions of Glycoproteins
Function Glycoprotein
Structural Molecule Collagen
Lubricant and Protective Agent Mucins
Transport Molecule Transferrin, ceruloplasmin
Immunologic Molecule Immunoglobins, histocompatibility antigens
Enzyme Various, e.g alkaline phosphatase
Cell Attachment-recognition site Proteins involved in cell to cellc ommunication
Interact with specific carbohydrates Lectins, selectins (cell adhesion lectins), antibodies
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Functions of Glycoproteins
Function Glycoprotein
Receptor Various Proteins in hormone and drug action
Affect folding of certain proteins Calnexin, Calreticulin
Regulation of development Notch and its analogs, key proteins in development
Hemostasis (and thrombosis) Specific glycoproteins on the surface membranes of platelets
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Examples

• Mucins mucins are secreted in the mucus of the
  respiratory and digestive tracts. The sugars
  attached to the mucins give them considerable
  water-holding capacity and make them resistant to
  proteolysis by digestive enzymes.
• Immune System Glycoproteins antibodies, major
  histocompatibility complex (MHC) (interacts with
  T-cells)

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Examples

• Glycoproteins in platelets.
• Structural glycoproteins

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Hormones That Are Glycoproteins

• Follicle-stimulating hormone
• Luteinizing hormone
• Thyroid Stimulating hormone
• Human chorionic gonadotropin
• Alpha-fetoprotein
• Erythropoietin

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Eight Sugars in Glycoproteins
Sugar Abbreviation
ß-D-Glucose Glc
ß-D-Galactose Gal
ß-D-Mannose Man
a-L-Fucose Fuc
N-Acetylgalactosamine GalNAc
N-Acetylglucosamine GlcNAc
N-Acetylneuraminic acid NeuNAc
Xylose Xyl
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Eight Sugars in Glycoproteins
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Glucose

• Readily available in our diets.
• Converted from white sugar, fructose, and starchy
  foods.
• Usually oversupplied in our diets from sugar
  cane, rice, corn, potatoes, wheat, etc.

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Galactose

• Readily available in our diets.
• Obtained from the conversion of lactose (milk
  sugar).

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Fucose

• NOT readily available in our diets.
• Found in breast milk.
• Present in several medicinal mushrooms.
• Benefits the immune system.

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Mannose

• NOT readily available in our diets.
• Involved in cellular interactions.
• Studies show it can lower blood sugar levels.
• Assists the immune system to defend against
  microbial pathogens.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.

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Xylose

• Not readily available in our diets.
• Present in some sugarless gums and candies.
• Added to some nasal sprays to discourage the
  binding of allergens and pathogens to mucuos
  membranes.
• Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
• May help prevent certain cancers.

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N-acetyl-neuraminic acid

• NOT readily available in our diet.
• Present in breast milk.
• Assists in brain development.
• Boosts immune function.
• Anti-viral properties.

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N-acetyl-glucosamine

• NOT readily available in our diets.
• Beneficial for cartilage regeneration and joint
  inflammation.
• Glucosamine comes from this compound.
• Deficiencies have been linked to diseases of the
  bowel.

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N-acetyl-galactosamine

• NOT readily available in the diet.
• May inhibit the growth of some tumors.
• Assists in cell to cell communication.

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Breast Milk

• Breast milk contains five of the essential
  sugars.
• Fucose
• Galactose
• N-acetylneuraminic acid
• N-acetylglucosamine
• Glucose

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Aloe Vera

• Aloe vera contains mannose , galactose, and
  arabinose.

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Arabinogalactan

• Saps and gums of trees contain many
  glyconutrients.
• Arabinogalactin can be obtained from the Larix
  decidua or larch tree.
• It is also found in fruits and vegetables such as
  tomatoes, corn, carrots, coconut.
• It is in the herb echinacea.

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Echinacea

• Echinacea contains the following glyconutrients
• Arabinogalactan
• Galactose
• Arabinose

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Astragalus Gummifer

• The stems and branches of astragalus shrubs are
  rich in galactose, arabinose, xylose, fucose,
  rhamnose, galcturonic acid, and proteins.

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Gum Acacia

• Extracted from the African acacia tree, gum
  acacia contains arabinose, galactose, rhamnose,
  and glucuronic acid.

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Gum Ghatti

• Obtained from the sap of the Indian sumac, gum
  ghatti contains galactose, arabinose, mannose,
  xylose, and glucuronic acid

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Limu Moui

• A marine vegetable native to Tonga, limu moui
  contains the following glyconutrients
• Galactose
• Mannose
• Xylose

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Medicinal Mushrooms and Beta Glucans

• Edible mushrooms contain an immune-enhancing
  sugar compound known as lentinant (a
  polysaccharide that contains beta-glucans)

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Pectins

• Pectins come from fruits like apples, pumpkins,
  and tomatoes.

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Foods That Contain Glyconutrients

• Aloe vera
• Astralgus
• Saps
• Gums
• Garlic
• Certain mushrooms
• Yeasts
• Husks

• Breast milk
• Coconut meat
• Echinacea
• Maize
• Pectins from fruits
• Some algae
• Certain herbs

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Factors That Reduce Glyconutrients In Food

• Green harvests
• Processed foods
• Preservatives
• Increased toxins
• Limited variety of foods in our diet

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Glycoforms

• Virtually every cell in the body is covered with
  hair-like glycoforms.
• The sugar molecules form codes that allow cells
  to communicate with one another.

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Glyconutrient Conversion

• A series of enzyme controlled steps converts one
  glyconutrient sugar to another.
• Enzyme conversions require energy.
• Toxins, stress, drugs, processed foods, lack of
  enzymes, age, etc. can all inhibit an enzymes
  ability to convert these glyconutrients.
• It is more efficient to obtain glyconutrients in
  the diet than to have to convert them.

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Glyconutrient Effects

• Raise the level of natural killer cells and
  macrophages to fight against infectious
  organisms.
• Activate immune T-cell activity only when
  invaders are present.
• Decrease cell death in people suffering from
  chronic fatigue syndrome.

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Glyconutrient Effects

• Elevate disease resistance in weakened
  individuals.
• Act as antioxidant compounds.
• Protect the body from toxin and pollution
  exposure.
• Slow premature aging.

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Glyconutrient Effects

• Decrease inflammation in diseases like rheumatoid
  arthritis.
• Helps immune cells recognize invaders due to a
  mutual sugar exchange of information.
• Enable cellular components to stick to each other
  initiating the proper reactions.