Glyconutritionals and Viral Infections

Glyconutritionals: Implications for Recovery from Viral Infections
Charles J. Gauntt, PhD; Bill H. McAnalley, PhD; Reginald McDaniel, MD
Bruce Peschel EDITOR IN CHIEF
Eileen Vennum, RAC

Abstract
Most coxsackieviral infections are subclinical in humans, but among the estimated 10 million people annually infected by these viruses, those with nutrient-deficient diets are at highest
risk for developing diseases. This review discusses several studies that were performed to assess potential benefits of two glyconutrients on coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced models of
myocarditis or pancreatitis. Nutritional supplementation in the form of Aloe polymannose (AP) significantly increased titers of anti-viral antibodies in mice challenged with a CVB3 strain that
is both cardiovirulent and pancreatovirulent, but this dietary intervention had no effect on the virus-induced myocarditis in mice. In contrast, administration of a glyconutritional complex
(GC), composed of additional sugars required for cellular glycoconjugate synthesis, to mice challenged with the same CVB3 strain did provide significant benefits over a period of 8 months
to most animals in reversing virusinduced pancreatitis. Another study of rat hepatocytes showed that GC could block chemical depletion of free reduced glutathione, a major cellular antioxidant. These studies suggest a role for AP in stimulating the humoral immune system to produce antiviral antibodies and a role for GC in restoring the antioxidant potential of cells. Both glyconutrients may offer improved health to individuals who may or may not be infected by a virus that could subsequently cause disease.

VIRUSES, VIRAL DISEASES, AND THE COXSACKIEVIRUSES
GROUP B3 (CVB3)
Viruses are incredibly efficient parasites that require living cells in which they replicate, or reproduce, in large numbers. During replication, a virus takes command of the host cell and
converts some or all of the cellular metabolic processes, those normally required to maintain the health of the cell, toward synthesis of viral component parts and then assembly of these
components into new infectious virus particles. During the virus takeover of a cell, some to all essential daily cellular growth and repair processes may not be performed, and this virus-induced irreversible damage can lead to a reduction in function or death of the infected host cell. In addition to directly inducing death of the infected cell(s), viruses can also exert a number of other effects .
When a sufficient number of cells become damaged, major organs.

The Official Publication of The Nutrition Science Site.
Published by the Research and Development Department of Mannatech Incorporated, Coppell, Texas, USA. © 2000 All rights reserved.
JANUARY 26, 2001 VOL 2, NO 2
PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION RELATED TO NUTRITIONAL SACCHARIDES AND OTHER DIETARY INGREDIENTS.
TM
The scientific information in this journal is educational and is not to be used as a substitute for a doctor's care or for proven therapy. People whose diets provide insufficient or excessive amounts of required nutrients may develop far more serious consequences from viral infections than people who experience similar viral infections, but maintain healthier diets.