|
Mannatech Inc. (Coppell, TX) recently received a first-place award from the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine for the company’s research into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s abilities to assimilate complex substances.1 The award was given for Mannatech’s poster presentation of its research, displayed during Scripps’ 4th annual conference “Natural Supplements: an Evidence-Based Update,” held January 19-21, 2007, in La Jolla, CA.
Mannatech collaborated with Hyperion Biotechnology Inc. (San Antonio, TX) for an in vitro study to determine if GI bacteria could break down stabilized aloe vera gel, larch arabinogalactan, and Advanced AmbrotoseTM, one of Mannatech’s flagship glyconutritional supplements containing a proprietary blend of plant-derived saccharides, including aloe vera gel and larch arabinogalactin. The study concluded that GI bacteria broke down the complex carbohydrates, suggesting that the carbohydrates could also be broken down within the GI tract itself. According to a Mannatech press release, further research may lead to a better understanding of how complex carbohydrates, once metabolized by the body, can support the immune system. Mannatech’s research is scheduled to be published in a future issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
“Although we weren’t surprised that gut bacteria can partially degrade these complex polysaccharides, we were very interested to learn that there was a great variation between the GI flora’s ability to utilize high molecular weight components in aloe vera gel,” said Robert A. Sinnott, MNS, PhD, Mannatech’s chief science officer in a press release.1 “Even more fascinating was finding that bacterial utilization of Advanced Ambrotose was different than how the bacteria utilized aloe vera gel or larch arabinogalactan, generating an abundance of relatively small polymers. Something unique appears to be happening when the blend of ingredients found in Advanced Ambrotose interact with GI bacteria. We still have much to learn, and we are committed to finding additional answers by employing stringent research methods.”
Mannatech is a leading network marketing wellness company. The company produces and distributes more than two dozen glyconutritional products for adults and children that address health and nutrition, sports performance, weight management, and skin care. For the past 10 years, Mannatech has conducted in vitro studies, animal studies, human case reports, and human clinical studies that suggest that Ambrotose complex may provide support for immune system functions. Mannatech holds more than 20 patents worldwide for technology related to the Ambrotose complex formulation.
-Courtney Cavaliere
Reference
1. Mannatech recognized for research showing GI bacteria can break down complex carbohydrates in glyconutritional supplements [press release]. Coppell, TX: Mannatech Inc; January 31, 2007.
|