The more we learn about health and disease, the more we become aware of the importance of a strong and healthy immune system.
The human immune system is one of the most complex and complicated systems in the body. It is the defense mechanism that protects us against illness and disease. Like the rest of our body the immune system is comprised of many different cells that work together to keep us healthy. In order for the cells to do their job of protection, they need to be able to communicate with each other. The cells need to be able to recognise foreign invaders, be able to destroy them and to keep healthy cells protected.
Many modern diseases today can be attributed to a poor or malfunctioning immune system. Research is proving that the addition of glyconutrients to the diet can correct many of these conditions.
Positive responses have been documented in many instances showing an improvement in the health of the immune system where glyconutrients have been added to the diet.
Many modern diseases today can be attributed to a poor or malfunctioning immune system. Research is proving that the addition of glyconutrients to the diet can correct many of these conditions.
Positive responses have been documented in many instances showing an improvement in the health of the immune system where glyconutrients have been added to the diet.
Did you add your Glyconutrients today?
Do you know that a deficiency in certain sugars could be causing illness?
The discovery of the 'nutritional' sugars found in plants, and which play an important role in the functioning of our immune systems, is quite recent.
The human body is an amazing machine that can heal itself of disease if it is given the proper nutrition. Conversely, the lack of appropriate nutrition in the diet can leave the body defenseless and susceptible to disease.
Our modern day lifestyle means we depend more than ever before on fast foods that have little or no nutritional value... and, as well, many of our foods are so processed that they contain no essential nutrients to feed the body's immune system. As a result our immune systems get weaker and lose the ability to combat disease.
Dietary deficiencies contribute to obesity and a myriad of other problems that have never been more prevalent. Processed foods can be deficient in vitamins, enzymes, fibre, and essential nutrients. Packaged foods tend to be loaded with additives designed to give them an eternal shelf life. Fruit and vegetables are mostly picked too early and often gassed to ripen.
But, let's just step back in time a little. It had long been recognized that the aloe vera plant was one of the world's most popular and well-known plants used for healing. It became evident, however, that commercially processed aloe did not produce the same health benefits that were evident with the fresh aloe vera gel.
In the early 1980s, one group who were attempting to isolate the medically active ingredient from the aloe vera plant, discovered, after lengthy research, that the active ingredient in the aloe vera gel was a long chain carbohydrate made up predominately of a sugar called Mannose. It was noticed that within a day or two of the aloe leaf being picked, this long-chain sugar molecule rapidly began to disintegrate, causing the gel to lose much of its effectiveness. A new process was then developed and patented that protected this long-chain sugar from being destroyed.
This new stabilized aloe extract was made available to the public in the form of a juice, and the testimonies began to flow in. People with all kinds of health problems began reporting their improvement after taking the new product, and scientists could see they had their hands on something significant.
Carbohydrate structuring was a brand new science at that time and was only being taught at one or two universities in the world. Soon, however, researchers the world over began to study carbohydrates and by 1990 there had been around 4000 papers published about this science of Glycobiology, as it became known. An article appeared identifying carbohydrates as essential for immune function, and glycobiology as one of the 'hottest' new fields of medical research. Harper's Biochemistry, 1996, devoted a chapter to reviewing the sugars necessary for cell-to-cell communication.
It was found that of the 200 carbohydrate monosaccharides, or sugars, found in nature, there were eight biologically active sugars (these became known as glyconutrients) that gave our cells their structural support network and were critical for cellular communication. These glyco or sugar forms work to keep our hormones in balance, fight off disease invaders, enable blood to clot and create a complex cellular messaging system.
The human body is an amazing machine that can heal itself of disease if it is given the proper nutrition. Conversely, the lack of appropriate nutrition in the diet can leave the body defenseless and susceptible to disease.
Our modern day lifestyle means we depend more than ever before on fast foods that have little or no nutritional value... and, as well, many of our foods are so processed that they contain no essential nutrients to feed the body's immune system. As a result our immune systems get weaker and lose the ability to combat disease.
Dietary deficiencies contribute to obesity and a myriad of other problems that have never been more prevalent. Processed foods can be deficient in vitamins, enzymes, fibre, and essential nutrients. Packaged foods tend to be loaded with additives designed to give them an eternal shelf life. Fruit and vegetables are mostly picked too early and often gassed to ripen.
But, let's just step back in time a little. It had long been recognized that the aloe vera plant was one of the world's most popular and well-known plants used for healing. It became evident, however, that commercially processed aloe did not produce the same health benefits that were evident with the fresh aloe vera gel.
In the early 1980s, one group who were attempting to isolate the medically active ingredient from the aloe vera plant, discovered, after lengthy research, that the active ingredient in the aloe vera gel was a long chain carbohydrate made up predominately of a sugar called Mannose. It was noticed that within a day or two of the aloe leaf being picked, this long-chain sugar molecule rapidly began to disintegrate, causing the gel to lose much of its effectiveness. A new process was then developed and patented that protected this long-chain sugar from being destroyed.
This new stabilized aloe extract was made available to the public in the form of a juice, and the testimonies began to flow in. People with all kinds of health problems began reporting their improvement after taking the new product, and scientists could see they had their hands on something significant.
Carbohydrate structuring was a brand new science at that time and was only being taught at one or two universities in the world. Soon, however, researchers the world over began to study carbohydrates and by 1990 there had been around 4000 papers published about this science of Glycobiology, as it became known. An article appeared identifying carbohydrates as essential for immune function, and glycobiology as one of the 'hottest' new fields of medical research. Harper's Biochemistry, 1996, devoted a chapter to reviewing the sugars necessary for cell-to-cell communication.
It was found that of the 200 carbohydrate monosaccharides, or sugars, found in nature, there were eight biologically active sugars (these became known as glyconutrients) that gave our cells their structural support network and were critical for cellular communication. These glyco or sugar forms work to keep our hormones in balance, fight off disease invaders, enable blood to clot and create a complex cellular messaging system.
The Missing Eight Sugars
A brief descriptions of the eight sugars that can make a huge difference to our cellular framework.
The eight sugars that make such a huge difference to our cellular framework but which are mostly missing from our diets are:
GLUCOSE, which is readily available in our diets (converted from white sugar, fructose, & starchy foods), is the one we are most familiar with. It is also the worst for our health. This refined white sugar offers empty calories and in most cases is oversupplied in the form of sugar cane, rice, corn, potatoes, wheat etc.
GALACTOSE is also readily available in our diets. It is obtained from the conversion of lactose (milk sugar) & is also easily obtained from dairy products UNLESS you suffer from lactose intolerance.
FUCOSE is not readily available in our diets but is found readily in breast milk and several medicinal mushrooms. It has numerous well-documented benefits for the immune system.
MANNOSE is not readily available in our diets. It plays a profound role in cellular interactions and has been known to lower blood sugar levels. It is absolutely vital for proper immune defenses against microbial invaders, and it has a natural anti-inflammatory effect.
XYLOSE is not readily available in our diets. It is often seen in sugarless gums, candies, etc because it has a sweet taste but does not cause tooth decay. It has recently been added to nasal sprays and appears to discourage the binding of allergens and pathogens to mucous membranes. It also has known anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may help prevent certain cancers.
N-ACETYL-NEURAMINIC ACID is not readily available in our diets but is another sugar that abounds in breast milk and dramatically impacts brain function and growth. It, too, boosts immune function and has documented anti-viral actions. Interestingly, in certain disease states, the ability to digest this sugar is impaired.
N-ACETYL-GLUCOSAMINE is not readily available in our diets. It is particularly beneficial for cartilage regeneration and joint inflammation. Glucosamine, a well-known natural medicine for arthritic conditions, comes from this sugar compound. It has many additional therapeutic effects, and deficiencies or malfunction of this sugar have been linked to diseases of the bowel.
N-ACETYL-GALACT0SAMINE is not readily available in our diets. It is the least known of the essential sugars although it appears to inhibit the growth of some tumours, and like the other sugars, plays an individual role in keeping cell communiqués clear and promptly delivered.
(These descriptions of the Eight Sugars come from the book "Miracle Sugars" by Rita Elkins)
GLUCOSE, which is readily available in our diets (converted from white sugar, fructose, & starchy foods), is the one we are most familiar with. It is also the worst for our health. This refined white sugar offers empty calories and in most cases is oversupplied in the form of sugar cane, rice, corn, potatoes, wheat etc.
GALACTOSE is also readily available in our diets. It is obtained from the conversion of lactose (milk sugar) & is also easily obtained from dairy products UNLESS you suffer from lactose intolerance.
FUCOSE is not readily available in our diets but is found readily in breast milk and several medicinal mushrooms. It has numerous well-documented benefits for the immune system.
MANNOSE is not readily available in our diets. It plays a profound role in cellular interactions and has been known to lower blood sugar levels. It is absolutely vital for proper immune defenses against microbial invaders, and it has a natural anti-inflammatory effect.
XYLOSE is not readily available in our diets. It is often seen in sugarless gums, candies, etc because it has a sweet taste but does not cause tooth decay. It has recently been added to nasal sprays and appears to discourage the binding of allergens and pathogens to mucous membranes. It also has known anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and may help prevent certain cancers.
N-ACETYL-NEURAMINIC ACID is not readily available in our diets but is another sugar that abounds in breast milk and dramatically impacts brain function and growth. It, too, boosts immune function and has documented anti-viral actions. Interestingly, in certain disease states, the ability to digest this sugar is impaired.
N-ACETYL-GLUCOSAMINE is not readily available in our diets. It is particularly beneficial for cartilage regeneration and joint inflammation. Glucosamine, a well-known natural medicine for arthritic conditions, comes from this sugar compound. It has many additional therapeutic effects, and deficiencies or malfunction of this sugar have been linked to diseases of the bowel.
N-ACETYL-GALACT0SAMINE is not readily available in our diets. It is the least known of the essential sugars although it appears to inhibit the growth of some tumours, and like the other sugars, plays an individual role in keeping cell communiqués clear and promptly delivered.
(These descriptions of the Eight Sugars come from the book "Miracle Sugars" by Rita Elkins)
Allergies are not to be sneezed at.
They can take their toll both physically and financially.
There's little comfort in the knowledge that allergies and asthma are skyrocketing, especially among children. Experts are saying that it you don't already have some sort of respiratory ailment, you can be sure that you will have, sooner or later. It's a problem of pollution... and the problem of pollution is not going away. It's in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, it's in our homes. It's everywhere. We can't escape it.
Toxins, chemicals and pollutants are all too common today in our modern construction materials and methods. It's becoming harder and harder to breathe clean air - especially if we live in urban areas, which, of course most of us do, and the quality of our water is an ever increasing problem.
These influences can have a very detrimental effect on your health and wellbeing but luckily there are steps you can take to minimise these effects. The most important thing you can do is to keep your immune system strong so that you are able to fight off any negative effects of our 21st century life. Eat a healthy diet and take nutritional supplements that are especially formulated to support the immune system.
When you combine a healthy lifestyle with sound nutrition, common sense and some basic precautions, you will find yourself breathing a little easier.
It is a rare family, these days that is not touched by allergies of some kind. One of the most common health problems, affecting over 40 million people each year in the U.S. alone, is Hay Fever or Allergic Rhinitis. Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane lining the sinuses, affects more than 32 million people in the U.S. each year.
More than 20% of the U.S. population is affected by allergic diseases making it the sixth leading cause of chronic disease, a cost to the Americans estimated at $18 billion annually.
Allergies are actually reactions of the immune system to substances called antigens which can be found in germs, pollen, dust mites, moulds, foods and a host of other substances.
A recent survey conducted by the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) showed that 94% of allergy sufferers said that their quality of life, including work productivity, sleep, concentration - even their sex lives - was affected by their allergies. Even so, only 50% of allergy sufferers considered the disease to be a serious medical concern and about 64% didn't bother to seek help when they were experiencing symptoms.
The ACAAI, in response to their survey, is asking allergy sufferers to take their condition seriously and to seek advice from their physician or from an allergist to mitigate their symptoms.
Allergies and their symptoms cause many quality-of- life consequences and if insufficiently treated may lead to serious conditions such as sinus or ear infections, asthma and sleep disorders. People need to know that there is no need to suffer - there is help available.
So what do we need to do. Start by avoiding allergens, and make positive changes to your diet, change medication and it may even be necessary to change your occupation or place of residence. Keep your living quarters as simple as possible: remove carpet and replace it with hard surfaces such as wood or tiles: keep windows closed on high allergen days and drink plenty of water.
Surprisingly, according to the highly respected journal, Scientific American, there are often between three and five times more toxins found inside our homes than there are outdoors in the same area.
There are now hundreds of toxins that did not exist 60 years ago. Science is partly to blame for this with the development of synthetics and artificial substances that are so widely used today. Synthetics are all around us: on the walls, floors and ceilings, in computers, closets, cabinets and cupboards. The worst culprits are carpets and rugs - they are reservoirs that harbour anything that gets dragged in.
Other leading suspects are carbon monoxide, which apparently is generally worse inside than out; there's benzene in many household products; toxins of all descriptions in glue, paint and most cleaning substances; then there's tobacco smoke (hopefully you've eradicated that one) and many chemicals with names that are too hard to spell, difficult to say and even worse to breathe - just check the warnings on the labels!
Toxins, chemicals and pollutants are all too common today in our modern construction materials and methods. It's becoming harder and harder to breathe clean air - especially if we live in urban areas, which, of course most of us do, and the quality of our water is an ever increasing problem.
These influences can have a very detrimental effect on your health and wellbeing but luckily there are steps you can take to minimise these effects. The most important thing you can do is to keep your immune system strong so that you are able to fight off any negative effects of our 21st century life. Eat a healthy diet and take nutritional supplements that are especially formulated to support the immune system.
When you combine a healthy lifestyle with sound nutrition, common sense and some basic precautions, you will find yourself breathing a little easier.
It is a rare family, these days that is not touched by allergies of some kind. One of the most common health problems, affecting over 40 million people each year in the U.S. alone, is Hay Fever or Allergic Rhinitis. Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane lining the sinuses, affects more than 32 million people in the U.S. each year.
More than 20% of the U.S. population is affected by allergic diseases making it the sixth leading cause of chronic disease, a cost to the Americans estimated at $18 billion annually.
Allergies are actually reactions of the immune system to substances called antigens which can be found in germs, pollen, dust mites, moulds, foods and a host of other substances.
A recent survey conducted by the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) showed that 94% of allergy sufferers said that their quality of life, including work productivity, sleep, concentration - even their sex lives - was affected by their allergies. Even so, only 50% of allergy sufferers considered the disease to be a serious medical concern and about 64% didn't bother to seek help when they were experiencing symptoms.
The ACAAI, in response to their survey, is asking allergy sufferers to take their condition seriously and to seek advice from their physician or from an allergist to mitigate their symptoms.
Allergies and their symptoms cause many quality-of- life consequences and if insufficiently treated may lead to serious conditions such as sinus or ear infections, asthma and sleep disorders. People need to know that there is no need to suffer - there is help available.
So what do we need to do. Start by avoiding allergens, and make positive changes to your diet, change medication and it may even be necessary to change your occupation or place of residence. Keep your living quarters as simple as possible: remove carpet and replace it with hard surfaces such as wood or tiles: keep windows closed on high allergen days and drink plenty of water.
Surprisingly, according to the highly respected journal, Scientific American, there are often between three and five times more toxins found inside our homes than there are outdoors in the same area.
There are now hundreds of toxins that did not exist 60 years ago. Science is partly to blame for this with the development of synthetics and artificial substances that are so widely used today. Synthetics are all around us: on the walls, floors and ceilings, in computers, closets, cabinets and cupboards. The worst culprits are carpets and rugs - they are reservoirs that harbour anything that gets dragged in.
Other leading suspects are carbon monoxide, which apparently is generally worse inside than out; there's benzene in many household products; toxins of all descriptions in glue, paint and most cleaning substances; then there's tobacco smoke (hopefully you've eradicated that one) and many chemicals with names that are too hard to spell, difficult to say and even worse to breathe - just check the warnings on the labels!
Some common Toxic Invaders to watch out for.
and What to do about them.
- Dry cleaning chemicals. These contain something called perchlorethylene, also known as tetrachlorethylene, the fumes of which are very toxic. If you must get clothes dry-cleaned, be sure to air them well outside before hanging them in your closet.
- Mothballs contain a toxic chemical called paradichlorobezene. The moths don't like it so they stay away. Unfortunately we were never told they could be harnful to us. Try using cedar as a safe, natural alternative.
- Dry Ink Cartridges. Most homes nowadays probably have a copier, laser printer or fax machine. These machines heat up, and as they do the chemicals in the dry ink cartridge release a gas - usually formaldehyde gas and/or styrene gas. Both are highly toxic. So, you may only be getting these gases in small amounts, but if you're getting them every time you turn the machines on ??? So, turn the machines on only when you are about to use them, turn them off immediately after you're finished and do make sure your office/room is well ventilated.
- Pesticides. Even in you don't use synthetic pesticides, they are quite likely still in your house. They come in on our shoes or on the paws of our pets. They accumulate, especially on carpets, and over time can be as harmful to us as they are to the insects we're trying to discourage. There are many natural pesticides to choose from these days so use these when possible, if you must. Avoid carpets and rugs or at least have them cleaned regularly and removing shoes before coming inside is a good idea.
Asthma & Allergies are Connected
Allergens are, without question, the most common asthma triggers. About 80% of asthma in children is caused by allergies (it's about 50% with adults), and allergies take more than your breath away. They contribute to a variety of chronic respiratory illnesses in addition to asthma. Allergic asthma is characterised by airway obstruction, and symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest tightness, occasional fatigue and slight chest pain. Fortunately, it's usually at least partly reversible with medication and, according to the UK-based Asthma & Allergy Research Association, removing the allergic cause can be quite successful, provided that the allergic cause is easy to remove.
The most common allergen is the ordinary dust mite and while it is tough work reducing the dust mite population in your home, it is well worth the effort, if asthma is a problem.
If you suffer from allergic symptoms or asthma, you need to find which risk factors cause your asthma symptoms. Every asthma sufferer is unique, so not everyone with asthma reacts in the same way. Sometimes it takes a combination of triggers to bring on the reaction. At other times, the symptoms may be delayed and only surface some time after exposure.
Asthma has been steadily on the increase since the early 1980s and is the most common reason for childhood admission to hospital and is the most common chronic illness in children and adolescents .
Besides AIDS and TB, asthma is the only chronic disease with an increasing death rate.
Here are some of the more common asthma triggers.
Source: National Centre for Disease Statistics, centres for Disease Control and Prevention: Percentage Distribution of Lifetime Asthma by Ethnicity, Sex and Age, 2001
The most common allergen is the ordinary dust mite and while it is tough work reducing the dust mite population in your home, it is well worth the effort, if asthma is a problem.
If you suffer from allergic symptoms or asthma, you need to find which risk factors cause your asthma symptoms. Every asthma sufferer is unique, so not everyone with asthma reacts in the same way. Sometimes it takes a combination of triggers to bring on the reaction. At other times, the symptoms may be delayed and only surface some time after exposure.
Asthma has been steadily on the increase since the early 1980s and is the most common reason for childhood admission to hospital and is the most common chronic illness in children and adolescents .
Besides AIDS and TB, asthma is the only chronic disease with an increasing death rate.
Here are some of the more common asthma triggers.
- Cold air, wind, rain and sudden changes in the weather, are all frequent asthma triggers.
- Allergens could be things that you inhale, such as pollen or dust, or things that you eat, like shellfish maybe.
- Smoke is a risk factor for asthma in children and, in fact, for all ages. Studies have shown a clear link between second-hand smoke and asthma.
- Fumes, such as paint fumes, smog and aerosol sprays and even perfume, can be a powerful trigger.
- Exercise, especially in cold air is a frequent asthma trigger, and other physical activities such as laughing, crying, holding you breath and hyperventilating, can also bring on asthma symptoms.
- Emotional Upsets, stress and excitement can all trigger asthma. Mental and emotional stress can cause narrowing of the breathing tubes and other factors such as the environment or poor health care, may make asthma symptoms worse.
Source: National Centre for Disease Statistics, centres for Disease Control and Prevention: Percentage Distribution of Lifetime Asthma by Ethnicity, Sex and Age, 2001
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