The History of Ambrotose® Complex

Ambrotose® - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of Life"

The story begins with Aloe Vera. The discovery of Ambrotose® really dates back to the 1980's. Dr. Bill McAnalley, research pharmacologist, was determined to identify the active component in Aloe Vera. After many years, and extensive documentation, he did, indeed, discover the element in Aloe Vera associated with the health-promoting properties historically ascribed to its use. The active ingredient was a carbohydrate with many mannose sugar molecules linked together. He found that Aloe products are not effective unless the active carbohydrate molecule has been stabilized through a special, patented process he discovered. Today, both pharmaceutical and dietary supplement versions of this standardized Aloe substance are available, and they are protected by over 100 patents in numerous countries. The dietary supplement form was named Manapol®.

Positive Feedback

The positive feedback from the extensive use of Manapol® was over-whelming. Dr. McAnalley's research had demonstrated the immune-supportive properties of Manapol®. However, the positive feedback made it clear that many of the results were not limited to immune support. For instance, there were numerous reports of improved cognitive (mental) function.** This puzzled Dr. McAnalley.

The Carbohydrate Connection

By now, Dr. McAnalley was one of the most knowledgeable scientists in the world in the mysterious, little-known field of carbohydrate research. Further research led him to take a closer look at the "carbohydrate connection." The Journal, Biotechnology (February,1990), states that "Almost without exception, whenever two or more living cells interact in a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be involved." In other words, all living cells have I.D. Codes on their surfaces, and these I.D. codes tell every other cell "who" they are, what they do, and whether or not they are healthy. The alphabet for that communication is made up of carbohydrates. This I.D. Code system is so basic to human life that it is the means by which a sperm recognizes an egg for the purpose of fertilization.

These carbohydrates are not the average dietary ones available at the grocery store. The 1996 edition of Harper's Biochemistry (chapter on Glycoproteins by Dr. Robert K Murray) identifies eight, little-known, essential carbohydrates necessary for the creation of cellular "words."

Dr. McAnalley, working with Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel, saw that "mannose," the carbohydrate in Manapol,® was listed as one of those eight essential carbohydrates. He hypothesized that the presence of the mannose in the Manapol® could be leading to enhanced cell-to-cell communication. He realized that this could explain the positive results that were not directly linked to immune function. He realized that the proper cellular "words" were essential for the effective manifestation of the genetic code (your body's blueprint) and could, thereby, have a crucial role in every aspect of the maintenance of optimal health.

Since the feedback from people after adding mannose (via Manapol®) to the diet had been so positive, Dr. McAnalley and Dr. McDaniel decided to put together a dietary blend of all the essential carbohydrates associated with cell-to-cell communication (including Manapol®). These nutrients are called glyconutritionals (carbohydrate nutrients). Ambrotose® is a glyconutritional complex. The discovery of linking the biochemical knowledge to the field of nutritional science was considered "new science," making it possible to apply for patents. Dr. McAnalley named the substance after the Greek word for "ambrosia," i.e. "ambrotos." He added the "e" at the end of the word because, in chemistry, a substance that is a carbohydrate ends in "ose." So, metaphorically, Ambrotose® is the carbohydrate that is the food for eternal life ! I would delete the word eternal.

**Since the creation of Ambrotose®, many researchers have confirmed these initial observations and published their results in peer-reviewed publications.

Ambrotose® - an "essential" carbohydrate formula - the nutritional "alphabet" of the "sweet language of life."

Many experts in nutrition feel that Dr. McAnalley's and Dr. McDaniel's discovery of Ambrotose® has revealed an unsuspected "nutritional deficiency. "Throughout the 20th century, many conditions thought to be infectious were later discovered to be nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies have been caused by a wide range of changes in the way that food is currently grown and processed. Deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids (proteins), and fats are now well recognized. However, it was not suspected that there might be deficiencies in "essential" carbohydrates. Although a "nutritional deficiency" has not been officially determined, it is suspected that the processing of food has removed many of the carbohydrates now considered essential for cellular communication. For example, natural maple syrup contains many of these carbohydrates while the typical maple-flavored syrups do not. Further validation of the "essential" nature of these carbohydrates can be found in an article about the benefits of breastfeeding (Science & Medicine, 1997). Five of the eight carbohydrates considered essential for cell-to-cell communication have been found to be crucial ingredients in human breast milk.

Since we can no longer count on these essential carbohydrates being in our diets, supplementation is the only way to be certain that we get enough of these key nutrients.

Scientists are taking a look at this discovery

Cell-to-cell communication is essential for proper immune function. Numerous scientists and doctors are validating the benefits of adding Ambrotose® to the diet through a variety of case studies. Even Dr. Robert K. Murray, the author of the chapter in Harper's Biochemistry mentioned above, has become fascinated with the nutritional application of his discovery.

Explosion in research into the connection between carbohydrates and health

A worldwide explosion of research into glycoproteins and carbohydrate therapeutics is accelerating. In fact there are approximately 54 articles being published every day in this field.

A special edition of Acta Anatomica on "Glycosciences" was just published by Karger. The text and tables of contents of this special edition are available online

(www.karger.com/journals/aan/aancont.htm). The summary on the back page states that "monosaccharides represent an alphabet of biological information similar to amino acids and nucleic acids, but with unsurpassed coding capacity." The preface indicates that the "words" constructed from the carbohydrate alphabet mentioned above are the "sweet language of life."

In order to obtain the documents referred to in this discussion visit www.glycoscience.org for more information.

Dedicated to healing a sick planet, Mannatech's Ambrotose Complex is the best hope for a world in which so many are suffering needlessly.