Galactose
Galactose is an essential sugar found in abundance in the diet, especially in
dairy products, where it co-exists with lactose, as well as in the pectins
of some fruits. There are many people who are lactose-intolerant and, therefore,
may also be lacking in Galactose. However, this essential sugar can easily
be obtained from other foods (listed below).
Galactose is a simple sugar that is more common than glucose.
Before it can be utilized by the body for energy, it must
be transformed into glucose by the liver.
It is the building block of carbohydrate chains associated with lipids (glycolipids)
and proteins (glycoproteins).
As with all the essential sugars, galactose is no different in that it is necessary
for cell communication. If just one of the sugars is missing in the diet, communication
breaks down, resulting in disease. Depending on which sugar is missing will
determine which disease forms. We are learning more all the time that these
essential sugars
are vital for far more than just a source of energy.sugar.
Absorption
Galactose is absorbed in the jejunum part of the intestine where it
competes with glucose for transport. To some extent, Galactose is absorbed
in the mouth across the buccal membrane by a transport also shared with
glucose.
Bowel disorders can affect absorption of galactose, as well
as any of the other sugars. Usually, it is because of abnormal
brush-border cells
of the intestinal epithelium which then results in diarrhea. Often,
a combination of d'friendly floraE and enzyme
supplementation, as well as the eight essential sugars,
will, in time, correct
any digestive
abnormalities.
Approximately 30% of the galactose is incorporated into glycogen, although
its preferred substrate is Glucose. Another 27-47% is oxidized to CO2,
while the remainder is utilized for glycoprotein and glycolipid biosynthesis
for nutritional distribution. It is becoming increasingly evident that
both essential sugars E“ Galactose and Mannose E“ are very important
for maintaining nutritional balance.
Excretion
Galactose is excreted by the kidneys, using a Glucose transporter.
Although its excretion is not altered in diabetic patients, clearance
is reduced in ageing. Since Galactose is metabolized mainly in the
liver, its clearance has been used as a marker for liver dysfunction
and liver blood flow. Galactose has also been found in the feces of
infants who are breast fed.
Functions
- In
animal studies, Galactose inhibits tumor growth and its spread
(metastasis), especially to the liver. In addition, Galactose
levels were found to be decreased in the intestinal mucins
of colon cancer patients, suggesting that the addition of Galactose
to the diet could help prevent or reverse the disease.
- Galactose does not stimulate insulin secretion in humans. Therefore,
serum Galactose levels are not affected in diabetics, which is good news.
- Although Galactose can easily be converted into Glucose when needed for
energy and can be formed from Glucose, dietary sources of Galactose are still
important to maintain an epimerase enzyme-mediated equilibrium. For instance,
when Galactose was supplemented in the diet of patients with metabolic diseases
being treated with low protein and low lactose diets, these patients showed a
significant increase in Galactose concentrations in both the red and the white
blood cells.
- Galactose appears to help correct many disorders, including enhancing
wound healing, decreasing inflammation, and stimulating calcium absorption. It
also appears to help lower the risk of developing cataracts.
- Galactose levels are usually lower in people with adult and juvenile
arthritis and in those with Lupus, suggesting that this sugar is vital to preventing
or correcting these conditions.
- Galactose is widely distributed throughout the body, including the brain.
Studies also indicate that the saccaride triggers long-term memory formation.
- Galactose is another essential sugar concentrated in the testes, implying
that these saccharides are vital in reproduction since it appears to help in
the formation of sperm.
- Found in both the proximal and distal tubules of the kidney, Galactose
is obviously important for proper kidney function.
- Galatose is also present in intestinal mucins which inhibit cholesterol
absorption.
- Since Galactose is found in immunoglobulins and macrophages, it appears
to play a primary role in the immune system, especially that of rheumatoid arthritis.
In such patients, blood levels of the sugar were markedly reduced and proved
that the less Galactose there was available, the more severe was the disease.
During remission, the reduction in the amount of Galactose was reversed. To make
matters worse, a lack of Galactose seemed to set off a chain reaction involving
other essential sugars. A Galactose deficiency on the IgG of RA patients, also
reduced the terminals for Glucosamine which, in turn, bind to Mannose proteins.
This resulted in the activation of blood complement and the start of the inflammatory
process.
- Galactose levels are also altered in other diseases, especially in the
severely ill. Levels of this saccharide are markedly reduced in upper airway
epithelial cells. This is important because such patients are more susceptible
to opportunistic pathogens, especially those that target respiratory organs producing
such diseases as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Dietary Galactose is also important in maintaining normal bacterial flora
in the intestines. Prolonged use of Galactose has proven to increase the number
of Bifidobacteria while providing the proper environment for other beneficial
bacteria in the human gut. Providing this type of environment not only strengthens
digestive abilities, but also the immune system as well.
- Scientists are now turning their attention to a link seen between Galactose
deficiency and MS (multiple sclerosis). This disorder has already been linked
to an inablility to absorb another essential sugar, Xylose, but there also appears
to be abnormal Galactose molecules present as well. In addition, the myelin sheath
that covers nerves is attacked by overactive immune cells. The myelin sheath
contains Galactose, as well as other essential sugars. Therefore, supplementation
of all eight essential sugars could help rebuild the system to where absorption
is once again possible and could reverse the condition.
Safety
There does not appear to be any side effects from using a supplemental Galactose,
unless one is Galactose-intolerant, but this is an extremely rare condition.
There were some concerns raised over low birth weight infants or those born prior
to 37 weeks gestation. It appeared that these infants had some trouble absorbing
Galactose, which researchers attributed to immature liver function.
Based on research, some recommend as much as 50 grams in a healthy 150-pound
adult as a safe dose. However, much less is more advisable, and since most of
it is eliminated within 8 hours, dosing should occur at least twice a day to
maintain optimal Galactose blood levels.
Dietary Sources
(mg of Galactose per 100 grams of produce)
- Dairy
products
- Fruit:
Apples (800), Apricot (600), Banana (200), Blackberries (1,000),
Cherries (400), Cranberries (1,200), Currants (800), Dates
(800), Grapes (300), Kiwi Fruit (700), Mango (1,700), Orange
(1,600), Nectarine (1,100), Peach (1,300), Pear (600), Pineapple
(700), Plums (2,600), Prunes (1,600), Raspberries (900), Rhubarb
(1,500), Strawberries (500), Passionfruit (300)
- Fruit: Apples (800), Apricot (600), Banana (200), Blackberries (1,000),
Cherries (400), Cranberries (1,200), Currants (800), Dates (800), Grapes
(300), Kiwi Fruit (700), Mango (1,700), Orange (1,600), Nectarine (1,100), Peach
(1,300),
Pear (600), Pineapple (700), Plums (2,600), Prunes (1,600), Raspberries (900),
Rhubarb (1,500), Strawberries (500), Passionfruit (300)
- Herbs: Echinacea, Boswellia, Fenugreek, Chestnuts (2,700)
- Vegetables: Broccoli (2,700), Brussels Sprouts (4,100), Avocado, Cabbage
(4,400), Carrot (3,400), Cauliflower (3,200), Celery (2,700), Cucumber (1,600),
Potato (1,800), Eggplant (3,500), Tomatoes (1,600), Leeks (6,600), Asparagus
(2,800), Lettuce (2,000), Green Beans (4,100), Mushrooms (not buttons) (1,100),
Beetroot (1,100), Onions (4,500), Parsnip (2,200), Green Peas (800), Pumpkin
(2,400), Spinach (1,400)
References
1 Mondoa, Emil I. MD and Mindy Kitei. Sugars that Heal. Ballantine Publishing,
2001.
2 Elkins, Rita MH. Miracle Sugars. Woodland Publishing, 2003.
3 Glycoscience website (This site prohibits direct linkage.)
4 http://www.lis.net.au/~dbird/glyconutrients.htm (A glyconutrient site
by Dr David Bird MbChB, Dip Clinical Nutrition, FACNEM [Fellow of the Australian
College
of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine])
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