Trehalose - everyone needs it

Ranked #572 in Healthy Living, #12,867 overall

Trehalose - a healthy sugar

Trehalose is a relatively recent discovery and just 10 years ago Trehalose was confined to the research labs and academics. The breakthrough came in Japan about 15 years ago when a scientist managed to get an enzyme to convert simple starch into Trehalose. This breakthrough enabled Trehalose to reach many more places and today it is used widely in the cosmetic industry, skincare, food preparation and the freezing of living organisms for transportation or research - called cryo-preservation. Trehalose has the ability to stabilise proteins and that's one of its major uses in the food industry. Trehalose was first used in Japan to help in the preparation of sushi where it helps with stability, flavour and shelf life. Learn about Trehalose and how it can aid healthful living. It is a viable, natural alternative to sucrose (white table sugar) and research suggests that it is a good alternative natural sweetener and much better than Aspartame or Nutra Sweet - oh and an added benefit is that you will have better energy levels throughout the day.

trehalose healthy safe sugar alternative

When eaten it has a very low effect on the blood glucose level and hence is very useful for diabetics.

Due to its ability to stabilise protein it may also have some benefits in terms of aiding neurological degenerative diseases.

Home Made Marmalade - with Trehalose

Trehalose - every home should have some

I've been working with Trehalose for several years and have seen, first hand, what regular use can do for people. The benefits include:
- reduced blood sugar fluctuations
- better energy levels throughout the day
- better appetite control
- it is interchangeable with sucrose - table sugar
- tastes great
- is easy to use
Buy Trehalose online

Trehalose During Pregnancy

It is quite safe to use Trehalose during pregnancy. There are many things that occur during pregnancy and one of the more common problems is gestational Diabetes where the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels effectively. It is normally a transient problem and goes away once the baby is born. However, if you can manage your blood glucose levels by diet, and using Trehalose may help, then you may be avoid gestational diabetes completely.

Trehalose - Fact 1

make sure you smell sweet

Scientists have identified that just 3 tablespoons of Trehalose in a bath of water everyday for a week helps combat odour problems often associated with the elderly. The exact mechanism that is at play is not fully understood but it appears that Trehalose stabilises protein being lost through the skin and that reduces bacterial growth and hence the odour.

Why Does the Desert Bloom After Rain

One of nature's miracles

© Edward Shtern - Fotolia.com

There are hundreds of cases of rain falling in the desert and then, almost immediately, the once dry arid wilderness suddenly transforms into this astonishing array of plants that couldn't be seen before the rain but clearly had remained dormant only to bloom when the rain brought moisture.
For many years scientists were baffled by the ability of plants to protect the viable seeds and root systems from both extremes of drought, cold and baking heat - often for 50 years or more. There are some places that have not had rain for 200 years but still plants survive.
The secret mechanism of protection is related to Trehalose and the plant's ability to coat the seed or tiniest bit of viable plant with a protective layer of Trehalose. Once the moisture comes the Trehalose dissolves quickly allowing the seed to germinate and flourish and flowers to almost explode where there were none.

What Is Trehalose

Trehalose is a unique sugar found in many types of plants and occurs naturally in very small amounts in a variety of foods such as mushrooms, honey, and foods with bakers and brewers yeast.
glucose trehalose safe sugar alternative
In simple terms Trehalose is made from 2 glucose molecules that are joined by very strong bonds that are created during an enzymatic process.
glucose enzyme trehalose safe sugar alternative
These bonds are the key to why Trehalose is very different to other plant sugars.

trehalose 2 glucose safe sugar alternative

Why is Trehalose So Good for Diabetics?

One of the reasons I like Trehalose is because of it's lack of effect on blood glucose levels. Let me put it in context. My father's side of the family every brother and sister and several others in his more distant family developed type 2 diabetes by teh age of 50. When I was 38 years old (1996) I made a personal commitment that I would do everything in my powers to avoid going down the same route. I'm now in my mid 50s and doing OK so far.
Trehalose has been a major benefit to us as a family because we can eat normal foods without having to worry about raising our blood glucose levels.
The graph below shows the effect of Glucose, Trehalose and a placebo on Blood glucose levels. Make your own mind up.

Scientific View of Trehalose

Trehalose is an alpha-linked (disaccharide) sugar found extensively but not abundantly in nature. It can be synthesised by fungi, plants and invertebrate animals. It is implicated in anhydrobiosis (the ability of plants and animals to withstand prolonged periods of desiccation). The sugar is thought to form a gel phase as cells dehydrate, which prevents disruption of internal cell organelles by effectively splinting them in position. Rehydration then allows normal cellular activity to be resumed without the major, generally lethal damage, that would normally follow a dehydration/reyhdration cycle. Trehalose has the added advantage of being an antioxidant

Does Trehalose Have Side Effects

Trehalose has been recognised as safe, around the world, but does it have any side effects?
For most people the answer is no. For a small number of people of Icelandic origin, who are missing the enzyme Trehalase, anything over about 6 gram/day is probably enough to trigger mild bowel looseness. It does not last and passes very quickly.
The only other side effects are good effects and that includes protecting the nervous system tissue and cells as well as acting as an anitoxidant.

Related Trehalose Sites

These sites deal with much more specific information and may be helpful
diabetes and trehalose
trehalose diabetes safe sugar alternative

Diabetes is endemic in western society today and it is increasing all over the world where we see people switch to a diet rich in simple starch and carbohydrates. China, Nigeria, Kenya, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe, America, Canada are all reporting explosive growth in diabetes....

alzheimers and trehalose
Alzheimer's is an incurable, degenerative and terminal illness that is more common in the elderly but is also known in much younger people 20 years and upwards. It is typified by memory loss, confusion, short & long term memory issues, mood swings and other problems.
Huntingtons Disease | Protection Is The Aim | There Is Hope
This site is about educating and informing. Huntington's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that causes certain nerve cells in your brain to waste away. As a result, you may experience uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances and mental deterioration. Huntington's disease is an inherited disease.
Trehalose and Teeth
Trehalose does not cause nearly so many problems for tooth enamel. So if you have children who love the sweet taste of sugar this might be a suitable and even beneficial alternative for you and them. It might even be a way for you as a parent to get your own back on your children without them even knowing.
dieting-trehalose-weight-loss

OK the word SUGAR normally means bad, unhealthy, stop eating it, too much in our diets but what I'm about to show you is that there is a sugar (not a chemical or artificial sweetener) that is not only good for you but tastes and looks just like table sugar. In fact we've swapped it in homes for table sugar and no one has even noticed...

“Trehalose - the most amazing sugar - there are no down sides and the benefits are huge. Brian B. UK”

Trehalose Video Welcome

Trehalose
by sugars4life | video info

0 ratings | 770 views
curated content from YouTube

Trehalose Fact 2

Trehalose may protect teeth

The effect of sugary drinks and sweets on the dental health of the western world is profoundly negative. Tooth decay seems to be a feature of our lifestyle and it can blight young and old alike. Imagine having to have false teeth from early adulthood. What would it be like if you had to wear dentures at secondary school.
Trehalose has been found by various studies to have no negative effects on dental health. Infact there is some early evidence to sugegst that consuming Trehalose could actually protect teeth from decay. Now that's a conundrum: a sugar that protects teeth.

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Trehalose - Fact 3

You may have been using it for years

Trehalose has been a key ingredient in many high and low end skincare products and cosmetics over the last 10 years. Including OLAY professional, OLAY, Estee Lauder, Champney's, Boots, Neutrogena, New Peptin, Nivea, NOBLE etc.
Why do they use Trehalose - simply because it stabilses the product for better shelf life and it aids water absorption by the skin leading to fewer wrinkles and more radiant skin.

Trehalose and Trehalase

The primary difference in terms of the body is that the enzyme,Trehalase, that digests Trehalose and turns it into 2 glucose molecules again is only found in the small intestine. Consequently when you eat Trehalose as a sweetener it is not digested until 2 or 3 hours after you've eaten and therefore does not give rise to massive rises in blood glucose levels and the resultant insulin levels.
In many ways it is natures answer to managing blood glucose levels.

Personal Testimony Nov 2007

from a 60 year old man in good health

I started using Trehalose some 3 or 4 weeks ago and didn't really notice anything at first. However, over the last 2 weeks i have begun to notice greater clarity and mental sharpness. It is a little hard to say exactly what is happening but there seems to be a change. I've also stopped using sucrose completely. By the way i find that eating a teaspoon of Trehalose of the spoon is the best way for me. I'll update this post in the next week or so.
M J, Devon.

Trehalose Properties

General properties:
1. Mild sweetness: Trehalose is 45% as sweet as sucrose when compared to a 10% sucrose solution. The temporal profile of trehalose shows a rapid onset to sweetness with a persistence slightly longer than sucrose. The taste profile is nicely balanced, and the mild sweetness of trehalose can allow other flavors in food systems to be enhanced.
2. Non-reducing sugar: Trehalose is a non-reducing sugar and therefore does not react with amino acids or proteins as part of Maillard browning. Flavor, color, and nutrition are stabilized to losses in quality that would otherwise result from the Maillard reaction.
3. High glass transition temperature: Trehalose has a very high glass transition temperature compared to other disaccharides. This allows trehalose to remain stable under a greater range of temperature extremes, providing additional stability to glass systems into which it is incorporated. In addition, trehalose glasses are more resistant to moisture gain than other saccharide glass systems.
4. Chemical,acid and thermal stability:
Trehalose is stable under low pH conditions where other disaccharides typically undergo various reactions, such as hydrolysis into their component monosaccharides. This minimizes caramelization and browning which are typical of low pH systems that undergo heat processing.The result is retention of more natural flavors and colors in food systems.
5. Exceptionally low hygroscopicity: Trehalose dihydrate is stable up to 94% relative humidity. The low hygroscopic nature of trehalose dihydrate results in a free-flowing stable dry product. In food applications where sugars are in the crystalline form, the addition of trehalose can decrease moisture sensitivity and product caking.

Natural Way Health

Tell Us What Benefits You Prefer

More stable Blood sugar

4 points

more energy

3 points

Reduced food/sweet cravings

3 points

Looks and tastes like table sugar

family don't even notice anything different2 points

Better concentration

The mind is better able to concentrate for extende more...1 point

Just like the taste

1 point

Use it in cooking without worry

heat doesn't change the nature or effectiveness1 point

Free from Chemicals

1 point

Children Don't Know any Difference

Start being able to wean children off sugar depend more...1 point

Less wrinkles

Now I need less anti-wrinkle cream more...1 point

Tubal Reversal Cost

|What is the average tubal reversal cost? How does more...1 point

Better muscular motor control

better control of muscles particularly relevant wi more...0 points

Low cost compared to chemical sweeteners

0 points

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Gluten-free, dairy-free, preservative-free recipes0 points

Trehalose and Ageing

Trehalose puts Life on Hold

© Lom - Fotolia.comWould you believe it but scientists are now suggesting that trehalose may be an active part of the drive to prevent ageing.
Trehalose is a common component in the cells of many plant and animal groups and in particular appears to protect desert species from damage during periods of drought and can promote survival in extreme heat and cold.
There is early evidence that it may just do what they think it does in desert plants in Humans.
To see the full article go to the Royal Society of Chemistry Website

Allopathic Medicine Vs Nutritional Support

Thousands of medical professionals see the value of nutrition, including dietary supplements. Nutrition has transformed their own health and that of their families. Now their practices are like wellness centers.

Pioneer nutritional researcher Dr. Roger J. Williams (1893 - 1988) showed way. He summed up his life's work with this: "The human body heals itself, and nutrition provides the resources to accomplish the task."

Wellness through good nutrition has caught on and over half of the United States population are using nutritional supplements.

But the current allopathic medical system is still in control. Not surprisingly, every disease is increasing rampantly. The system is also economically unsustainable. Major change must come.

Exceptional Sites

Natural Way Health
Down Syndrome Help
Find out how a family cope with Down Syndrome and become victorious
European Source of Trehalose
The only European Source of food grade Trehalose
Children with Dyspraxia
I though I'd start this lens because I'm a father of three wonderful children. My eldest and only son Daniel, who is now 12 years old, was diagnosed with Dyspraxia when he was 5 years old and subsequently with ADHD. Life with Daniel is a challenge and finding help and advice has been a constant struggle.
Sickle Cell Disease
Given my own health issues over many years i have finally found a way to manage my sickle cell and i have to shout about it from the rooftops. Sickle Cell gets so little attention around the world - help me raise its awareness and togther we can really kick something into motion that will change the world.
Live Life to The Full
We ask the difficult questions that people want answers to.
Plant Sugars Blog
Statins - Statin Drug Side Effects
Statin Drugs - Side Effects and the Misguided War on Cholesterol
Food & Cancer - How 1 father Got Educated
"I am a paediatric oncologist and I would like to congratulate you on the job you have done and that you are doing.
I read your book on food and cancer "How one father got educated". I think I have never read such an appropriate and detailed description and explanation of the harmful eff

Healthy Sugars - Really!!!!!

Healthful sugars

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Do We Have The Right Perception of HEalth

Most Astonishing Health Disaster of the 20th Century
by mercola | video info

3,011 ratings | 680,396 views
curated content from YouTube

Don't Mistake Palatinose for Trehalose

There is a great deal of marketing activity around a mixture of fructose/Glucose sugar called Palatinose. It looks and sounds great but in reality it is probably just marketing hype. They suggest it is useful for:
Prolonged energy supply
Low glycemic and low insulinemic response
Exclusively derived from sugar
Natural sweetness
Kind to teeth

Trehalose is the real deal don't be fooled.

Trehalose Contra Indication

While Trehalose is very safe for the vast majority of people there are a very small number of people who do exhibit unwelcome and sometimes uncomfortable effects having consumed Trehalose. The list below is a summary of those occasions which appear to revolve around the lack of the enzyme Trehalase.
  1. If you are of Icelandic origin then there is a small chance - less than 5% chance that your body may not make Trehalase because of underlying genetic issues. The lack of the enzyme means that when you consume Trehalose you may experience mild stomach discomfort and looseness of the bowel. The effects rarely last more than 12 hours and are not deemed life threatening.
  2. Even if you are not of Icelandic origin there is the possibility that your body does not produce enough or even any Trehalase and you may experience mild stomach discomfort and looseness of the bowel. This effect is extremely rare. If you think you are missing this enzyme just start consuming very small amounts of trehalose and take note of any of the above symptoms. If they occur we suggest discontinuing the use of Trehalose.

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Sugars are not all bad 

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Amazon Spotlight Personal Review 

Sugars That Heal: The New Healing Science of Glyconutrients

Amazon Price: $5.44 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

I've been around the science of carbohydrates and how the body uses them for 12 years now and Edmil Mondoa's Book - Sugars that heal is both well written, readable and very informative. He, the author, communicates in a simple enough style what the role and function of specific sugars are and in doing so helps the reader become more able to make choices for themselves.
Having co-presented with Emil I can say he is a gracious and good man.
Please read this book.

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