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Clinical scientists who made countless studies on the human body
this past century have been always baffled by its intricate network.
It was only upon the discovery of glyconutrients that they began
to understand the complex nature of intra cellular communications.
Although, several hundred glyconutrients are present in the human
body, clinical researchers only pinpointed eight of these as essential
and N-acetylglucosamine is part of the Glyconutrient family.
N-AcetylGlucosamine is widely known by its metabolic byproduct
called Glucosamine. Recently found effective in the repair of cartilage,
the nutrient decreases pain and inflammation with bone joints; while
increasing the range and motion in osteoarthritis. Glucosamine also
helps mend mucosal lining, the defensive barrier called the Glycosaminoglycan
layer (GAG), a condition that can lead to serious complications
such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and interstitial cystitis
when left unattended.
Experiments made on animals reveal that Glucosamine is eliminated
through urine excretion. More research is needed to verify if the
substance can be eliminated through other bodily processes or if
there is a marked decrease in excretion during the disease phase.
Again, calculations based on animal research show that elimination
of the sugar Glucosamine from the human body takes at least eight
to twelve hours.
There is strong evidence that reveal how N-acetylglucosamine, when
added to a regular diet, promotes the speedy healing of injuries
over bone joints. Furthermore, scientists found Glucosamine as a
substrate of the mixture of Glycosaminoglycan, the principal building
blocks of damaged cartilage that could prevent its metabolic breakdown.
These findings are really important to the scientific community
since many are in the opinion that Glucosamine would work in the
repair of wounds.
Failure of the body to effectively metabolize N-acetylglucosamine
has been found to have a strong link with diseases of the bowel
and bladder for it has been shown that the nutrient helps repair
the mucosal lining's defensive barrier called the glycosaminoglycan
layer (GAG). Glucosamine is also an immune modulator with known
anti-tumor and anti-viral characteristics, as well as a deterrent
against the HIV virus. It has also been proven through pertinent
animal research that this sugar can prevent the spread of the human
influenza virus as well as that of the herpes virus.
What is of paramount importance is the ability of N-acetylglucosamine
to reduce progression in experimental cancers. Glyconutrients, glucosamine
and mannose added into the drinking water of mice stopped the growth
of Ehrlich ascites tumors, in the clinical experiments conducted.
The survival rates among animals tested increased while the size
and spread of the tumors were significantly decreased. Some studies
also discovered reduced levels of N-acetylglucosamine among patients
of colon cancer. It is probable that the regular distribution of
this sugar may have been genetically altered when cancerous tissues
materialized.
The process of documenting the benefits of N-acetylglucosamine
to humans would entail a long process. There is evidence that its
presence in the brain aids in the functions of the nervous system
and enhances the learning process; the thyroid gland Glucosamine
receptors help in the transport of thyroglobulin; sugar concentration
in retinal tissues suggests that vision correction is possible;
glucosamine concentration in the intestines may reduce the absorption
of cholesterol (LDL); glucosamine presence in the liver could serve
as a regulatory substance in insulin secretion.
There is no known adverse side effect to the intake of N-acetylglucosamine
supplement, although experts suggest that the intake of one gram
daily for adults would be sufficient. Dietary sources include Bovine
and Shark cartilage (not ideal for diabetics and those with kidney
disease) and Shiitake mushrooms.
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