Glyconutrients for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia

[FibroCures]

California doctor sees potential in “glyconutrients” for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia
by Darryl See
ImmuneSupport.com

01-01-1999

Darryl See, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of California at Irvine, has been exploring the potential benefit of glyconutritional supplements for CFS/FMS. (The prefix glyco means sugar.) Specifically, the product being studied is Mannatech’s Ambrotose, a patented blend of eight simple sugars or monosaccharides, which is sold through a multi-level network of distributors.

In his recently published study, Dr. See observed blood cells in the laboratory to see the impact of introducing the glyconutrient preparation. He found it enhanced the presence of glycoproteins (compounds of a carbohydrate and a protein) on the surface of the cells, which would enable better cell-to-cell communication. The glyconutrients also improved the function of natural killer cells and decreased the process of apoptosis or cell death, both aspects of the immune system. Dr. See filed the following report about his recent laboratory study for the Chronicle: There have been very few well-controlled in vivo (body) or in vitro (test tube) studies showing therapeutic efficacy in CFS/FMS. In the August issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Integrative Physiology and Behavioral Medicine, I present a study of the in vitro effects of glyconutritional supplementation, while Dr. Kathryn Dykman presents a prospective in vivo study on the same supplements.

In short, eight monosaccharides (simple sugars) are required for the synthesis of glycoproteins. Dietary supplements that supply these crucial sugars are known as glyconutrients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from normal controls and patients with CFS/FMS. Cell surface expression of the glycoproteins CD5, CD8 and CD11 were significantly reduced in patients with CFS/FMS compared to normal controls. Addition of glyconutrient homogenate to PBMC from patients with CFS stimulated with phytohemagglutinin significantly increased the expression of each glycoprotein.

Furthermore, natural killer (NK) cell function (also dependent on normal cell surface glycoproteins) was reduced in CFS patients. The glyconutrient preparation significantly enhanced NK cell activity versus human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), a virus thought to be an important co-factor in CFS/FMS. Finally, programmed cell death was significantly increased in patients with CFS/FMS. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly deceased in PBMC from patients with CFS that had been treated with glyconutrients. Dr. Dykman’s study has confirmed these findings in a prospective study using glyconutrient supplementation in humans.

[ajaib]

Interesting to see the results of this study. I had chronic fatigue syndrome for 8 years until recently. I have tried everything to try to recover; I had seen allergy specialists, nutritionists, neuro-muscular-skeletal specialists, chiropracters and even a spiritual healer. In the end I found relief from glyconutrional supplements. Within 2 months I was functioning much better and within 6 months I feel completely back to normal. I have been researching the whys and hows and have come across a fantastic resource on glyconutrients: www.glyconutrientsreference.com. If any of you are interested in glyconutrients, check it out, it has improved my quality of life no end.

[faithwillwin]

been taking ambrotose since feb.'05. first 2 tsp. daily, then 4 tablespoons daily then 6 and still no real results. how much did you take?

[Tara]

Hi

If you are interested in glyconutrients then check out a product called Premier 8. Has all 8 sugars. Cheaper than Ambrotose and you don't have to join anything to get a good price.

Many people with fibro have had success with glyconutrients.