| conutrient Galactose, is a monosaccharide that | | | | maintenance of a balance of these substances in the |
| coexists with glucose in the disaccharide lactose. It is | | | | body. |
| found mainly in dairy products, and comprises around | | | | The three essential sugars that you get from your diet |
| 2% - 8% of milk solids. It is one of the eight | | | | are glucose, galactose and fucose. Fucose should not |
| saccharides required by the body for correct | | | | be confused with fructose that is a different sugar |
| formation of cells and organs, for immunity and for | | | | altogether, and can do more harm than good if taken |
| communication between cells. It is not a nutrient that | | | | in excess. Fucose is common in milk and is obtainable |
| you want to be short of! | | | | from dairy products. From these three, the other five |
| The part played by monosaccharides such as | | | | are produced by the body’s biochemistry. One |
| Galactose in the biochemistry of the body was not | | | | cannot be said to be more important than another, |
| appreciated until relatively recently, and it is still actively | | | | although galactose would be regarded as the |
| under investigation. The effect of sugars on the | | | | daddy’ of the three. |
| immune system of mammals in general, and humans in | | | | The specific benefits of the glyconutrient Galactose |
| particular, is not yet fully understood, and will be some | | | | include improved wound healing and decreased |
| time before it is so. However, it has been more or less | | | | inflammation, strengthening of the digestive system, |
| universally agreed that the immune system is very | | | | and of course, its critical effect on the immune system. |
| dependant on eight monosaccharides, called the | | | | There are many other potential benefits currently |
| essential sugars’ for its proper functioning. | | | | under investigation, and a deficiency is thought to |
| Galactose is an essential glyconutrient in the formation | | | | promote arthritis, diseases of the respiratory system |
| of the cell messaging substances, glycoforms. The | | | | and even, perhaps, multiple sclerosis. There is also |
| cells of the body require a means by which they can | | | | evidence that Galactose is necessary for good |
| communicate to other cells just what they are. Without | | | | long-term memory. |
| this communication system, cells will be unable to tell | | | | It is in the immune system, however, that Galactose |
| whether other cells are friendly or not. Antibodies, for | | | | plays a primary role. If an arthritis patient is deficient in |
| example, will not know what cells to attack and what | | | | galactose it appears to affect the levels of other |
| to leave alone. The immune system would break | | | | saccharides, and appears to lead to inflammation. |
| down, and the body would be open to disease. These | | | | Galactose levels have been found to be reduced in |
| glycoforms are situated on the surface of the cell | | | | severely ill patients, especially in the cells of the upper |
| membrane, and require Galactose for their formation. | | | | airway. This reinforces the other evidence available of |
| Galactose is necessary for the formation of glycolipids | | | | its importance in human biochemistry. Not only humans, |
| and glycoproteins, the sugar-based fats and proteins | | | | of course, since all mammalian biochemistry will be |
| necessary for these glycoforms. Glycoproteins, | | | | involved, and studies have shown a similar relationship |
| especially, are important in the formation of the immune | | | | between Galactose levels, and those of the other |
| system, and typical examples include the antibodies | | | | essential sugars, and the condition of the immune |
| that are used to protect the body against foreign | | | | system. |
| invaders. The saccharide that appears most frequently | | | | Although there should be sufficient Galactose provided |
| in cell and organ structure is n-acetyl glucosamine | | | | in a normal diet, a supplement will do no harm. The |
| followed by n-acetyl galactosamine. These are not | | | | monosaccharide is so essential to health and the |
| present in the human diet, and have to be synthesized | | | | proper functioning of your body’s biochemistry |
| in the body from the monosaccharides Galactose and | | | | that a supplement would at least ensure that you |
| glucose. | | | | were getting enough. There are no apparent side |
| Although people with lactose-intolerance might suffer | | | | effects for using a supplement and |
| from Galactose deficiency, it is present in a wide | | | | Galactose-intolerance is a very rare condition. |
| variety of fruits and vegetables, and some are listed at | | | | Naturally, Galactose is obtainable from a wide variety |
| the end of this article. It is particularly available in fruit | | | | of fruit and vegetables. Those particularly rich in the |
| pectin’s. It is more common than glucose, and | | | | sugar are leeks, broccoli, carrots and Brussels sprouts, |
| can be transformed into glucose by the liver. It is just | | | | while plums are the best fruit source. It is easily |
| as essential a component in the human diet as the | | | | absorbed, although, as explained above, only a fraction |
| other seven essential sugars, and if even one sugar is | | | | of it is used in the biosyntheses of glycolipids and |
| missing, cell communication breaks down. The type of | | | | glycoproteins. |
| disease that results depends on the monosaccharide | | | | Although a 50g daily dose has been recommended for |
| that is missing, although there is a large number of | | | | a healthy adult, most of it will be eliminated within eight |
| potential conditions that could be affected. | | | | hours, and it is best to take smaller doses more |
| When Galactose is ingested, around 30% is converted | | | | frequently. The dose recommended from your supplier |
| to glycogen, although the preferred substance for this | | | | will be based on the strength of the supplement and |
| is glucose. Glycogen is stored mainly in the liver and is | | | | should be followed, but it is more effective when taken |
| a short-term energy source than can be used on | | | | throughout the day rather than in one dose. |
| demand. Up to 45% is converted to carbon dioxide | | | | The glyconutrient galactose is without doubt essential |
| and the rest is used to manufacture glycolipids and | | | | for the proper functioning of your body, and without it |
| glycoproteins. Recent studies are indicating that both | | | | your immune system would lose its effectiveness and |
| Galactose and Mannose are essential in the | | | | there would likely be many more side effects. |