Glyconutrients May Help People With Myasthenia Gravis

A family of plant nutrients called glyconutrients may help patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease that affects the control of muscles, according to a study conducted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth.

The disease typically affects muscles under voluntary control, including those involved in eye movement, chewing, and facial expressions. Weakness and fatigue are also usually associated with MG.

David J. Randell, DO, and his colleagues treated seven men and 12 women diagnosed with MG, using glyconutrients in combination with a low-potency multivitamin/multimineral, phytonutrient supplements, and phytosterols. The patients took the supplements daily for one year, although some of them served as a control group for six months of the study.

Glyconutrients are monosaccharides, a family of simple sugars, of which eight (including xylose, galactose, glucose, and mannose) play essential roles in human biochemistry. The glyconutrient supplements used in this study consisted of a propriety blend, including gum ghatti (from Anogeissus latifolia) and manapol (from Aloe vera).

The results after six and 12 months of supplementation were striking, with the patients having an average 75 percent decrease in symptom scores.

Reference: Randell DJ, Byars A, Williams, F, et al. "Glyconutrient supplementation in patients with myasthenia gravis." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2008;9: doi 10.1089/acm.2007.0734 (epub ahead of print).