Galactose is one of the eight essential nutrients a human body needs for optimal health and functioning. Most prevalent in dairy products and pectins (in some fruit), galactose is bonded with another glyconutrient, glucose. This bonding forms a disaccharide called lactose, of which a small percentage of people are intolerant.

Galactose, in animal studies, inhibits tumor growth and its metastasis especially in the liver. It enhances the healing of wounds, communication between cells, calcium absorption and decreases inflammation. Laboratory mice that have been exposed to X-rays and protected from cataracts by giving them galactose supplements (Insert your own three blind mice joke here).

Those with arthritis and lupus show lower rates of galactose than the norm. Galactose like fucose is essential in long-term memory formation.

Galactose is absorbed in both the mouth and intestines where it competes with glucose for transport. Bowels disorders can affect the absorption of galactose and the other essential saccharides and will need to be attended to before maximum absorption can take place.

Galactose is metabolized mainly in the liver, filtered by the kidneys and expelled by the bladder. Galactose is also used as a marker to diagnose liver dysfunction and liver blood flow. Galactose does not stimulate insulin secretion, which is good news for diabetics.

Like fucose, galactose is found in the testes and thought to be an important part of the reproductive process in humans. Also present in intestinal mucins, galactose inhibits cholesterol absorption. As part of one's diet, galactose is an important part of maintaining normal bacterial flora in the intestines, strengthening the digestive abilities and the immune system as well.

Some research has been conducted (and more is needed) linking galactose deficiencies with multiple sclerosis. In MS, the myelin sheath covering the nerves is attacked by overactive immune cells and supplementation of galactose to aid in this condition is presently being researched.

For those taking galactose supplements, twice a day dosing is recommended since this saccharide is excreted in the urine every 8 hours or so.