N-acetyl-glucosamine is one of 8 essential sugars the human body needs. Glucosamine is it's metabolic byproduct of, it is part of the glyconutrients family, known as a natural remedy for joint pain. For an excellent, though fairly enthusiatic, discussion on the possible benefits of N-acetyl-glucosamine, you can go to GlucoNutrients4Me [3], a non-medical site of health bloggers.
**_The new aspect of this research is the action of N-acetyl-glucosamine on the immune system_**. The possible benefits in keeping MS at bay should not come entirely as a surprise, considering another study showing the "regulation of immune cells, particularly in the activation processes of T and B lymphocytes.." [4]
Before you rush to N-acetyl-glucosamine sugar supplements, you have to understand that the research [2] was done on mice, and the disease studied was a model of MS (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ,or EAE), and not MS itself. Close enough, though, to be very exciting. Imagine a treatment bypassing the side effects of the current disease modifying drugs, interferons, immunosuppressants, etc.
Note that the studies [4] also suggests possible therapeutic value for this sugar as an immunomodulator and anti-tumor agent against neurodegeneration and cancer.
[![][1]][2]
Shitake Mushroom
Some natural healing enthusiasts [3] have claimed that "There is no known adverse side effect to the intake of N-acetylglucosamine supplement…", and even suggest a dosage "… although experts suggest that the intake of one gram daily for adults would be sufficient…"
The dietary sources for this sugar include:
* Bovine cartilage
* Shark cartilage (not ideal for diabetics and those with kidney disease)
* and Shiitake mushrooms (good news for people on vegetarians and kosher diets)
I will send you to WebMD [5] for the cautions on starting to take N-acetyl-glucosamine. Note the possible interference with other meds. The discussion on N-acetyl-glucosamine and diabetes is important: it _might _be ok for diabetics to take this sugar. Quoting WebMD: "…Therefore, glucosamine probably does not interfere with diabetes medications. To be cautious, if you take N-acetyl glucosamine and have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely…"
_**As always, talk to your Doctor..**_
_** Sources:**_
[1] [nutraingredients][3] ; "glucosamine-like supplement may suppress MS:study",Nathan Gray; oct 3rd,2011
[2] Journal of Biological Chemistry; "N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE INHIBITS T-HELPER 1 (TH1) / T-HELPER 17 (TH17) RESPONSES AND TREATS EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS"; Michael Demetriou et. al. , U. of california, Irvine,San Diego
[3] [GlucoNutrients4Me; N-acetylglucosamine][4];
[4] [EMBO][5] ; "The O-linked N-acetylglucosamine modification in cellular signalling and the immune system"
Technorati Tags: [cancer][6], [Diabetes][7], [Glucosamine][8], [immune system][9], [MS Treatment][10], [multiple sclerosis][11], [N-acetyl-glucosamine][12], [natural healing][13], [Shitake Mushroom][14]
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[3]: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Glucosamine-like-supplement-may-suppress-MS-Study
[4]: http://www.glyconutrients4me.com/N-acetylglucosamine.html
[5]: http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v9/n8/full/embor2008129.html
[6]: http://technorati.com/tag/cancer
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[8]: http://technorati.com/tag/Glucosamine
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[12]: http://technorati.com/tag/N-acetyl-glucosamine
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