Comments by J. C. Spencer

A German scientific paper reveals the importance of trehalose in plant cell wall biosynthesis, hormonal regulation and gene function. This science paper recently published in Plant Physiology discusses the role trehalose plays in hormonal regulation. The study made available through a grant from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research indicates the important role that trehalose may play in active nutrient uptake from the apoplastic space into the endosperm.

The Abstract discusses the transcriptional activation of nucleotide sugar metabolism and how it may be attributed to ascorbate synthesis and/or cell wall biosynthesis. These processes are potentially controlled by trehalose-6-P synthase/phosphatase, as suggested by expression of their respective genes.

Now, the Abstract:

Comments by J. C. Spencer

Trehalose continues to be in the news as an additive for foods and cosmetics.  Research is verifying that trehalose has a unique functionality for significant cell protection.  A common response to overcoming cell stresses is the increased storage of trehalose and glycogen.  Structure of glucose molecules, their bonds, and the angle of their bonds trigger specific positive function including benefits for diabetics and a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Glycogen is the storage form of glucose in animals and humans which is analogous to the starch in plants. Glycogen is synthesized and stored mainly in the liver and the muscles. Structurally, glycogen is very similar to amylopectin with alpha acetal linkages, however, it has even more branching and more glucose units are present than in amylopectin. Various samples of glycogen have been measured at 1,700-600,000 units of glucose. The structure of glycogen consists of long polymer chains of glucose units connected by an alpha acetal linkage. Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide consisting of two glucose molecules bonded by an [alpha], [alpha] - 1, 1 glycosidic link which is stable at low pH conditions.

One of the most interesting recent discoveries is the possible role of trehalose and telomeres.  Telomeres are the DNA-protein complexes at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes.  Telomeres are essential for maintaining genomic stability.  In the human body the telomeres keep getting shorter with age and when they reach a certain length, the cells cannot divide.

In my book Expand Your Mind - Improve Your Brain in Chapter 16 Rogue electrons: the enemy within, I say, “Damage to the DNA shortens the telomere.  The telomere is a structure containing a repeated DNA sequence found at both ends of every chromosome in the human body.  It was discovered in the 1990s that as a cell divides, the telomere keeps getting shorter.  When the telomere becomes a certain length, it sends a signal for the cell to no longer divide.

Comments by J. C. Spencer

Ridding the brain of toxic amyloid plaques is viewed as a key target in slowing the course of Alzheimer's disease.  The amyloid pathway is THE MAIN HALLMARK OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.  Here are two articles that deal with Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and the beta-amyloid pathway.  WHATEVER WORKS is what families with Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s members want to see.  Research has concluded what the problem is.  Throwing billions of dollars at the problem may not be the solution, but scientists are trying.  Part of the problem is that every drug, regardless of the hope it may help, adds more toxins to the body. 

Meanwhile, I suggest we look further at cutting healthcare costs by switching out regular sugar with a glyconutrient called trehalose.  The first article below is about GSK paying $28.5 million up front for a vaccine deal that may help address the beta-amyloid challenge.  The second article is an abstract from a published paper showing that the sugar trehalose may hold the answer for Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease by addressing the beta-amyloid challenge.

Comments by J. C. Spencer

Recently, I have personally received a number of calls from diabetic who are having great results using trehalose as their sweetener. Some diabetics tell me that when they stop using trehalose that their sugar load goes back up. As long as they are eating the healthful sugar trehalose - their sugar load is normal.

Now, let me be the first to say that just because trehalose works for one diabetic does not mean it will work for every diabetic. Each of us have unique body chemistry. While no medical claims are made, it is exciting to hear from so many diabetics that are having outstanding results.

Every diabetic should continue to monitor their blood sugar daily while eating trehalose on their cereal or in their tea or coffee.

To help us gather more data, please download the Diabetic Nutritional Pilot Survey Forms from the left side of our Home Page.

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J. C. Spencer

The Sugar Trehalose is a Healthful Replacement for MSG

Comments by J. C. Spencer

A small amount of the sugar trehalose can be used to enhance the flavor of foods in a healthful way. MSG is widely used to make foods more flavorful but MSG has serious side effects including possible inflammation, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and liver disease. MSG can induce neuronal death. MSG may have contributed more damage to neurodegenerative diseases than we previously thought. But now, a pinch of trehalose is not only a fabulous replacement for MSG but appears to be one of the best brain foods available.

Here are three Abstracts from recently published papers on monosodium glutamate (MSG).