N-AcetylGalactosamine is one of the eight essential sugars necessary for optimal health and functioning in human beings. N-AcetylGalactosamine is perhaps the least-known of the eight essential saccharides.

Cheap Glyconutrients Get the most Cost Effective Glyco Supplements Mushroom Glyconutrients Using the Magic of Mushrooms to Heal

What is know is that N-AcetylGalactosamine is needed for communication between cells, inhibiting tumor growth and studies have shown those with heart disease to have lower-than-normal levels of this saccharide. N-AcetylGalactosamine also has a role in the disease processes of cancer, inflammation, and immunity in the human body. N-AcetylGalactosamine has also been implicated in Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI; Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome), which is a lysosomal storage disorder and more information about its clinical trials may be found at ClinicalTrials.gov.

In regards to colon cancer, patients have been found to have roughly one-half the amount of N-AcetylGalactosamine as normal. N-AcetylGalactosamine is contained in macrophages and neutrophils (immunity cells) and has been connected to joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

N-AcetylGalactosamine is also present in the visual areas of the body such as the retina, optic nerve, photoreceptors and eye pigment in both humans and animals. This suggests that N-AcetylGalactosamine is an important element for high-functioning visual acuity.

N-AcetylGalactosamine is also present in other human tissues such as:

The amount of N-AcetylGalactosamine also decreases with age and some suggest supplementation may slow some of the aging effects in humans.

N-AcetylGalactosamine is absorbed in the intestines but with a different transporter than glucose. More research is needed on N-AcetylGalactosamine in order to confirm the specific transporter to which this sugar binds.

The current research indicates that N-AcetylGalactosamine is eliminated through the kidneys and bladder like the other glyconutrients, every eight or so hours.

In lab animals that are given extremely high doses of N-AcetylGalactosamine hepatitis is induced, so unlike most of the other saccharides overdosing may have adverse affects in humans. N-acetylgalactosamine is found in red algae, bovine and shark cartilages and many supplements may be found for each of these except the red algae variety is rare in North America.