How do Glyconutrients Work?
Glyconutrients are sugar molecules. 'Glyco' means sweet and so they are 'sweet nutrients'. The sugar molecules often form sugar chains known as glycans, and these chains of glyconutrients then bind with protein molecules on protein strands to form glycoproteins. The process of forming glycoproteins is called glycosylation.
Cellular communication is literally the single most important concept in nutrition, and when we support this communication process we are empowering every single cell and every single part of the body to function the way it is supposed to.
Glycoproteins have many functions in human cells eg:
|
Function |
Example |
|
Structural role |
Collagen |
|
Transport role |
Transferrin |
|
Immunologic role |
Immunoglobulins |
|
Cell-to-cell communication |
Selectins |
|
Cell signalling |
Many receptors |
|
Clotting |
Plasma proteins |
|
Lubrication |
Mucins |
There are many different glycoproteins formed when sugar chains and protein chains bind together. The function of the glycoprotein chain will be dependent on the arrangement of the 8 essential glyconutrients on the sugar chain, and the arrangement of the protein molecules on the protein chain. There are many glycoproteins and there are many functions.
Some of the processes involving glycoproteins:
- inflammation
- blood clotting
- peptic ulcers
- AIDS (HIV)
- influenza
- fertilisation
- cancer
- cystic fibrosis
- arthritis
Inflammation is caused when white blood cells come outside the small blood vessels and attack bacteria in the tissue. Glycoproteins are instrumental in this process. Glyconutrient supplementation can increase the body's ability to attack and kill bacteria in tissue.
The HIV virus binds to 2 proteins via 2 glycoproteins in its envelope. Glyconutritional supplementation may prevent attachment.
The adhesion molecules in between cancer cells are glycoproteins and when these weaken the cancer cells are released to travel to other parts of the body ie the cancer is able to metastasize.