Arabinogalactan (AG), is a fermentable fiber found in high concentrations in North American larch trees. It is also the active constituent of echinacea. Using a patent-protected, water-based extraction process, the larch AG can be extracted from the plant cell in its natural state. Arabinogalactans are thought to contribute to the possible immune-enhancing activities of ganoderma lucidum and echinacea. Arabinogalactan may be an important adjunct to cancer treatments due to its capability to stimulate Natural Killer Cell cytotoxicity, stimulate the immune system, and block metastasis of tumor cells to the liver.
Arabinogalactan Benefits
Larch AG are a class of long, densely branched polysaccharides of the 3,6-beta-D-galactan type with molecular weights ranging from 10,000-120,000. Arabinogalactan has showed the capability to activate immune cells involved with the body’s first line of defense and to promote cytokine production, the communication and signaling compounds of immune cells.
Scientific experiments have indicated arabinogalactan can stimulate natural killer cell cytotoxicity, develop other functional aspects of the immune system, and inhibit the metastasis of tumor cells to the liver. Natural Killer Cell activity is a important marker for health. A number of chronic diseases are characterized by decreased natural killer cell activity, including viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. In prostate cancer, changes in natural killer cell activity were found to be associated with boththe likelihood of metastasis and tumor response to therapy. Actually, it was found to be as reliable as the specific tumor markers reflective of prostate cancer.
Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte and a component of innate immune system. Natural killer cells play a critical role in the host-rejection of both tumours and virally infected cells. Natural killer cells circulate through the blood, lymphatic and tissues, on patrol for the presence of transformed or pathogen-infected cells. Since NK cells are possible to kill cancer cells, experts are studying ways to increase the number or boost the function of these cells in the body as a method to treat cancer stronger.
Arabinogalactans may be substantial in cancer cure protocols due to its capability to block the metastasis of tumor cells to the liver, and to stimulate natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Metastatic disease most commonly spreads to the liver, in preference to other organ sites. This has been theorized to be the result of a reaction between the galactose-based glycoconjugate on the metastatic cells and a hepatic-specific lectinlike receptor found in liver parenchyma. Some experiments have reported that arabinogalactan may alter this reaction by inhibiting the attachment of metastatic cells to liver parenchyma via competitive binding to liver hepatic galactose receptors. A study involving animal with liver carcinoma treatment with larch arabinogalactan reported a reduced amount of liver metastasis and also had prolonged survival times, although all test animals eventually succumbed to liver metastasis. Modified Citrus Pectin has also been mentioned as a possible anti-metastatic agent in cancer however, arabinogalactan, while having the same anti-metastatic activity of action as Modified citrus pectin, also offers immunemodulating activity not offered by this other natural substance.
Larch Arabinogalactan Dosage
Dose of general use 400 mg, 4 times a day. Available medical literature indicates that this dietary supplement should be standardized to at least 98 % arabinogalactan. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, may boost arabinogalactan effect.
Leave a Reply