by J. C. Spencer

One word that is continually attributed to the sugar trehalose is STABLE. It helps stabilize cells, enzymes, proteins, DNA and the research goes on. Trehalose is used in synthesizing full length cDNA because it helps enzymes maintain their activity at higher temperatures where they normally become inactive.

Here is the research carried out in Japan.

by J. C. Spencer

Trehalose is one of the sugar building blocks that creates great cellular communication. Here is evidence that trehalose is the sugar used to build unique glycolipids. Trehalose is the building block in a number of cell wall glycolipids. Glycoproteins are more on the cell surface while glycolipids do most of their work in the cell wall and within the cell itself.

Sugars are the OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) of the body, processing DNA data, thought, and all cellular communication. Glycomics, the science of sugars, may be thousands of times more complex than the genome project. The eight Royal Sugars used to construct glycoprotein receptor sites that coat every healthy human cell were described by Robert K. Murray, M.D., PhD, in Harper’s Biochemistry first in 1996 and then in subsequent editions [and discussed in layman’s language in my e-textbook Expand Your Mind - Improve Your Brain, foreword by Dr. Murray ]. Our dear friend Dr. Rob, as we affectionately call him, is from Scotland and he will be glad to know some of the work you are about to read came out of the Lipid Analysis Unit of the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee.

by J. C. Spencer

We have learned of new uses for the healthful sugar trehalose that you can share with your family and friends this Christmas Season. The multi-reasons trehalose can be added to almost every dish include 1) trehalose enhances flavor; 2) trehalose increases health benefits; 3) trehalose keeps water pockets from forming when refrigerated or frozen; 4) trehalose helps preserve food and extend life and freshness; 5) trehalose is a simple way to reduce you and your family's use of bad sugars. And, 6) make this a Season you are not worried about too much sugar - because trehalose is the GOOD sugar.

Some of the new uses for trehalose include meats in the early stages of preparation, like beef, pork, deer and fowl sausage and hamburger. Sprinkle and mix trehalose throughout the sausage or hamburger meat. Because trehalose is only 45% as sweet as table sugar, you are not as concerned with making the dishes too sweet. With cookies, brownies, pies, and cakes, if you replace table sugar with trehalose, they will not be as sweet but that may be a good thing. An interesting side benefit seems to be that the more trehalose one eats, the more the crave for sugar is removed. Diabetics are encouraged to continue to monitor their sugar load; however, diabetics are indicating that their sugar balance is more normal while using trehalose. More information is available at www.DiabeticHope.com

You are welcome to view recipes and share your recipes with us on Sugar Science Forum at www.endowmentmed.org or simply e-mail them to us at jcs@endowmentmed.org. Give trehalose to your friends this Christmas. View the creative ideas on our Home Page.

by J. C. Spencer

We have an intellectual problem about Carbon Dioxide. Co2 is what makes plants grow, thrive, and produce simple and complex sugars so they can produce our essential oxygen and nutrition. Most plants will stop growing when the Co2 level decreases below 150 ppm. Even at 220 ppm, a slow-down in plant growth is evident. Current Co2 is calculated at about 385 ppm which is about 0.03% of the atmosphere. Oxygen (O2) is about 200,000 ppm or 20.95% of the earth’s atmosphere. We need more oxygen and the way the planet gets it is from plants. Plants grow better and produce greater crops at a Co2 count of 550 ppm.

University studies prove that we need MORE Co2 to produce better plants and nutrition. Research has shown that in most cases the rate of plant growth under otherwise identical growing conditions is directly related to carbon dioxide concentration. The games politicians are playing with Co2 reminds me of the intellectual problem with energy. We have oil in Texas but the dipsticks are in Washington, DC. The other day my wife and I were in a Houston restaurant when a lady at a nearby table broke into laughter when she overheard me say, “If politicians were hemmed in by truth, they would soon become extinct.” More information at www.endowmentmed.org

Now, today’s research article.

Microarray Technology / Trehalose / NIH / Texas A&M

by J. C. Spencer

The world of microarray technology was first introduced to me by Dr. David Busbee of Texas A&M University when he presented two research projects on sugars at our Glycomics Medical Conferences. The study of altered gene expression caused by specific sugars greatly fascinated us and those lessons are available in our Glycomics DVD Training Series at www.endowmentmed.org .

NIH announced a $923,000 grant to upgrade the cell array platform. Barry Bochner, CEO of Biolog told BioArray News that the funds will be used to advance the technology working with researchers at Texas A&M. Bochner said. "They have already presented data on an important gene that they found, using PM technology, to be involved in trehalose metabolism." Past success with trehalose metabolism has influenced continued research.

One Smart Rat

by J. C. Spencer

Folding proteins properly and structuring glycoproteins for increased communication helps make for one smart rat. This is an update on the work of Joe Z. Tsien that I discussed in my book Expand Your Mind - Improve Your Brain. The Science Daily reports on how superior brainpower is expressed.

After reading the article, you may enjoy 14 short remarkable graphic video clips that are fascinating lessons about what is required to make all this happen.