Glyconutrients
Glyconutrients

Background

Glyconutrients are plant sugars linked in chains. The body breaks down these sugar chains into simple sugars. The most commonly used glyconutrients contain plant sugars from aloe and larch arabinogalactan. People use these sugars to make medicine.

Glyconutrients are used for alcoholism, allergy, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
When taken by mouth: Glyconutrients are POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in doses of about 2-4 grams daily for 8-12 weeks. They can cause intestinal gas and bloating.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if glyconutrients are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Glyconutrients might cause the immune system to become more active. This might increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have an auto-immune condition, it's best to avoid using glyconutrients as medicine until more is known.

Effectiveness

There is interest in using glyconutrients for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether they might be helpful.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of glyconutrients depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for glyconutrients. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Glyconutrients might make the immune system more active. Taking glyconutrients along with medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the effectiveness of these medications.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Vitamin B12: Glyconutrients might decrease levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. In theory, this might contribute to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Glyconutrients might stimulate the immune system or promote the growth of certain bacteria in the colon that are thought to be beneficial.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 12/12/2021 10:25:29. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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