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Arabinogalactans are water-soluble polysaccharides widely found in plants, fungi and bacteria. Because of its potent biological activity and immune-enhancing properties, this unique dietary fiber is receiving increased attention as a clinically useful nutraceutical agent.
Source
Many plants -- both edible and inedible -- are rich sources of arabinogalactans, including leek seeds, carrots, radishes, black gram beans, pears, maize, wheat, red wine, Italian ryegrass, tomatoes, ragweed, sorghum, bamboo grass and coconut meat and milk. Many herbs with well established immune-enhancing properties, such as Echinacea purpurea, Baptisia tinctoria, Thuja occidentalis, Angelica acutiloba and Curcuma longa also contain significant amounts of arabinogalactans.
Arabinogalactans are most abundant in the larch tree and although larch arabinogalactan can be extracted from the wood of two trees (Western larch/Larix occidentalis or Mongolian larch/Larix dahurica), most commercially-available arabinogalactan is produced from the former. High-grade larch arbinogalactan is composed of more than 90% arabinogalactan. It is a dry, free-flowing powder, with a very slight pine-like odor and sweetish taste. It is 100% water-soluble and produces low viscosity solutions. Because of its excellent solubility and mild taste, the powder mixes readily in water and juices and is easily administered.
Side-Effects
Arabinogalactan is FDA-approved for use in food applications and it is safe even in large doses. The only known side-effect is occasional bloating and flatulence in a small percentage of people who take it.
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Arabinogalactans can help with the following: | | | | | Infections |  Middle Ear Infection | Arabinogalactans appear to offer real value in the treatment of recurrent pediatric otitis media. |
Bacterial Dysbiosis| | Larch Arabinogalactan acts as a food supply for friendly bacteria. The term used to describe this action is "prebiotic". The most well known prebiotic substance is "fructooligosaccharides" or "FOS". Larch Arabinogalactan acts in the same manner as FOS in humans. The effect is to increase good bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, while decreasing bad bacteria. |
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Tumors, Malignant |
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma |
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Arabinogalactans can help prevent the following: | | | | | Tumors, Malignant | Colon Cancer| | The longest recognized use of Larch Arabinogalactan is probably as a source of dietary fiber. It has been shown to increase the production of short-chain fatty acids, principally butyrate and proprionate. These special fatty acids are critically important for the health of the colon: Having an adequate supply of these fatty acids is thought to make colon cells more resistant to both tumor promotion and a variety of intestinal disease. |
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KEY | | May do some good |
GLOSSARY
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Butyrate
Butyrate is an important short chain fatty acid that provides fuel for colon cells and may help protect against colon cancer. The most potent dietary source is butter (3%).
Colon (Colonic)
The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.
Dietary Fiber (Insoluble Fiber, Insoluble Fibers, Soluble Fiber, Soluble Fibers)
There are two types of dietary fiber - soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber acts like a sponge; it absorbs water and moves solid waste out of the intestines. It is found mainly in whole grains and on the outside of seeds, fruits, and legumes. Soluble fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, brown rice, barley, oats and oat bran. It forms a gel when mixed with liquid producing a softer stool. It also prevents and reduces the absorption of certain substances from the intestines into the bloodstream.
Fatty Acids (Fatty Acid)
Chemical chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that are part of a fat (lipid) and are the major component of triglycerides. Depending on the number and arrangement of these atoms, fatty acids are classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated. They are nutritional substances found in nature which include cholesterol, prostaglandins, and stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and decohexanoic acids. Important nutritional lipids include lecithin, choline, gamma-linoleic acid, and inositol.
Flatulence
Abnormal amount of gas in the stomach and intestines.
Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Lactobacillus
A genus of gram-positive, acid-resistant bacteria in the Lactobacillaceae family. We know of lactobacillus because of its use in making yogurt and the conventional wisdom of taking it in one form or another after antibiotic therapy, but it is an integral part of the colon and mouth flora, and is the critical acidifying agent in vaginal flora. There is a growing body of rather ignored data showing the value of regular consumption of a lactobacillus-containing food in immunosuppression, slow virus, and candidiasis conditions.
Nutraceutical
Foods or food-derived substances in extracted form that have proven medicinal and health benefits.
Otitis Media
A very common condition involving inflammation of the middle ear and can be classified as either acute otitis media (AOM), or otitis media with effusion (OME) which is a chronic disease. It most commonly affects infants and young children but can affect all age groups. Symptoms of AOM include earache, decreased hearing, fever, unsteadiness, and occasionally liquid discharge if the eardrum bursts. Symptoms of OME include decreased hearing, tinnitus and unsteadiness, but OME can be entirely without symptoms. Effusions (discharges) continue for several weeks after AOM; only 60% of ears with AOM are clear at 2 weeks and 80% are clear by 8 weeks.
Tumor (Tumors, Tumour, Tumours)
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm. Literally, a swelling; in the past the term has been used in reference to any swelling of the body, no matter what the cause. However, the word is now being used almost exclusively to refer to a neoplastic mass, and the more general usage is being discarded.
Last updated: Jul 19, 2008
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