Ineffective Anti-Cancer Remedies: Glyconutrients
From the January 2006 edition of Dr. Fuhrman's Healthy Times:
Ambrotose is a product sold by Mannatech, Inc., a multilevel company whose distributors boast that this substance is a powerful treatment for patients with cancer. Mannatech calls plant sugars "glyconutrients," and by definition these glyconutrients are present in almost all natural plant foods, especially root vegetables and mushrooms.
We must always keep in mind that multilevel marketing products are sold by local people trying to expand their down-lines, and all health claims must be looked at with extra skepticism. The parent company is not liable for any unsubstantiated or unethical claims because they legally divorce themselves from any claims made by their distributors. The parent company uses terms such as "support for the immune system" or "used on cell surfaces."
"Advanced Ambrotose" is said to contain gum acacia, aloe vera gel extract (inner leaf gel) or Manapol powder, oat fiber, brown macroalgae (undaria pinnatifida) sporophyll, vegetarian glucosamine-HCl, ghatti gum, gum tragacanth, and xylitol.
Searching the scientific literature on Ambrotose does not result in any findings, but the primary ingredient, "arabinogalactan," is a valuable compound. Arabinogalactans is plentiful in carrots, radishes, tomatoes, corn, pears, coconut, and wheat, among others. Gum arabic, a common food additive, is also composed of highly branched arabinogalactans (from which the substance derives its name). Despite the fact that glyconutrients have some valuable cellular function, the point is we all eat plenty of this already without taking Ambrotose. There is no data to suggest that adding this supplement to a healthful diet will add significant health benefits.
* Due to concerns by Mannatech, Inc. comments have been disabled for this post.
