How did this fascinating research start? Early studies into this subject where conducted in Japan with elementary research into the carbohydrate group that begun after the Second World War. Research started to accelerate in the 1960's as scientists began to study glycoconjugates, plant enzymes and sugars. In the 1970's work intensified as more scientists became interested and started joining together. By the 80's work spread to the West. In the West early research was done in the 1980's with sugars. However the actual study of Glyconutrients (Glycobiology) really started to accelerate in the 1990's.

Great strides are being made in this field as it expands into other realms. One of the most interesting is research that is being done in the area of anti-aging and the Glyconutirient sugar chains. This can have some interesting results in our quest to know more about the aging process.

What are Glyconutrients? They are sugars extracted from the complex food group carbohydrates. There are 8 essential sugars:

1.Mannose

2.Glucose

3.Galactose

4.Xylose

5.Fucose

6.N-acetylglucosamine

7.N-acetylgalactosamine

8.N-acetylneuraminic acid

For many years the importance of carbohydrates and sugars in the body has been down played. Many people in an effort to control their weight have shunned the carbohydrate group of foods. They are unknowingly depriving their bodies of vital nutrients hidden in these foods.

Since the advent of Glycobiology, scientist are digging deep into the complex sugar chains of the carbohydrates and finding out more about Glyconutrients. At first it was quite a challenge to break the codes of these sugars, but as technology advances, there are more tools available for scientists to study this. Glycosylation and immunology have now become closely linked with Glycobiology studies of these Glyconutrients.

What do these sugars do? As more research is being done, more uses of Glyconutrients are being discovered. They have been proven through Glycobiology to help the immune system and promote healing in animals and humans. They help with the vital communication system between cells. This has far-reaching effects on your entire body.

Mannatech was one of the pioneers in this field and has developed a whole new industry around Glyconutrients with their nutritional supplements. These supplements provide the Glyconutrients needed by all of us to ensure the proper communication between our cells and boost our immune systems.