Glyconutrients

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.

Functions of GlycoproteinsFunction 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

Functions of GlycoproteinsFunction 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

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)

Examples

• Glycoproteins in platelets.• Structural glycoproteins

Hormones That Are Glycoproteins

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

Eight Sugars in GlycoproteinsSugar Abbreviation

β-D-Glucose Glc

β-D-Galactose Gal

β-D-Mannose Man

α-L-Fucose Fuc

N-Acetylgalactosamine GalNAc

N-Acetylglucosamine GlcNAc

N-Acetylneuraminic acid NeuNAc

Xylose Xyl

Eight Sugars in Glycoproteins

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.

Galactose

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

sugar).

Fucose

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

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.

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.

N-acetyl-neuraminic acid

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

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.

N-acetyl-galactosamine

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

Breast Milk

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

Aloe Vera

• Aloe vera contains mannose , galactose, and arabinose.

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.

Echinacea

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

Astragalus Gummifer

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

Gum Acacia

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

Gum Ghatti

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

Limu Moui

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

Medicinal Mushrooms and Beta Glucans

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

Pectins

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

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

Factors That Reduce Glyconutrients In Food

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

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.

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.

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.

Glyconutrient Effects

• Elevate disease resistance in weakened individuals.

• Act as antioxidant compounds.• Protect the body from toxin and pollution

exposure.• Slow premature aging.

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.