Mannose is a major player in communication between cells and is absorbed eight times slower than glucose. When mannose is ingested, it goes directly from the upper GI tract to the blood stream instead of being converted to glycogen or stored in the liver. Next, Mannose is filtered through the kidneys and routed to the bladder for evacuation.

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Of the eight essential sugars for optimal health in humans, mannose is the most significant. It is involved in more cell actions than any of the other essential sugars and deficiencies of mannose can lead to a whole host of physical problems.

Mannose is credited with aiding not only in communication between cells, but also with inhibiting tumor growth and spread and preventing parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Helping with the immune system, mannose is necessary for the production of cytokines, which fight infections and disease. According to research, mannose also eases the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, lowers blood sugar and triglyceride levels in diabetics and helps with urinary tract infections.

E. coli bacteria, which is present in the bladder lining during infections attaches itself to the mannose molecules and is expelled during urination. This attachment and expelling mechanism can give mannose a higher success rate than antibiotics in fighting urinary infections. D-Mannose may be found in some fruits including cranberry, which is why cranberry juice is sometimes recommended as a home remedy to fight bladder infections.

Mannose occurs naturally within some plants such as aloe vera, reishi and shiitake mushrooms and some brans and also can be ingested through glyconutrient supplements.