Background

• Glyconutrients are dietary supplements that supply sugars such as glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose, xylose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. These sugars are thought to be necessary for cells to communicate with each other in the body.
• Glyconutrient research (glycobiology) has increased in the last few years. A leading manufacturer of glyconutrient supplements, however, was prosecuted by the Texas attorney general in 2009 for exaggerating the benefits of its product and was required to pay four million dollars in restitution to customers.
• Studies have investigated the effect of glyconutrients on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cognition, failure to thrive, and myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder. However, the scientific evidence is unclear. Additional research is needed before conclusions can be made.

References

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