Glucose and Galactose

Monosaccharides

Essential Monosaccharides

Page 2 of 5

• Page 1: The Eight Essential Monosaccharides
• Page 2: Glucose and Galactose
• Page 3: Mannose and Xylose
• Page 4: N-Acetyl Glucosamine and N-Acetyl Galactosamine
• Page 5: Fucose and N-Acetyl Neuraminic Acid

Glucose

Glucose is the most important sugar (monosaccharide/glyconutrient) in and for the body. The body uses glucose as an energy source. Everything the body does requires energy that exists in the molecular bonds of
glucose.^[1][2] In anyone’s body, the brain is the largest consumer of glucose.^[3][4] The liver also uses glucose as a precursor to biosinthesize all other sugars in the body.^[5] It is the most commonly found glyconutrient in modern diets. One of five glyconutrients found in breast milk.^[6]

Galactose

Galactose, the second most commonly found glyconutrient in modern diets is present in milk and other dairy products.^[7] It is one of five glyconutrients found in breast milk.^[8] It can be produced by the body from glucose.^[5]

References:

[1] Prentice Hall. Available at: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/cellresp/glucose.html. Accessed August 12, 2008.

[2] Georgia State University Website. Available at:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Organic/sugar.html.
Accessed August 12, 2008.

[3] The Franklin Institute. Available at: http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html. Accessed August 12, 2008.

[4] McMurry, John. Organic Chemistry. 7e. Belmont, CA: Thompson Higher Education, 2008.

[4] Schmidt, Michael. Brain-Building Nutrition. 3rd Edition.

[5] McMurry, John. Organic Chemistry. 7e. Belmont, CA: Thompson Higher Education, 2008.

[6] Mary An Liebert, Inc. “Relationships Between Symptoms and Changes in Breast Physiology During Lactation Mastitis.”
Available at: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/bfm.2006.1.136.
Accessed August 12, 2008.

[7] Sharma, Sandeep. “Biostrip Technique for Detection of Galactose in Dairy Foods.” Food Chemistry Vol. 88, Issue 2 November 2004, Pages 299-303. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science.
Accessed August 12, 2008.

[8] Save Babies Through Screening Foundation, Inc. “Galactosemia (GALT).” Available at: http://www.savebabies.org/diseasedescriptions/galactosemia.php. Accessed August 12, 2008.