Re: GLUCOSAMINE: Friend or Foe to Candida? Here's the real deal.

I don't know a lot about all the different forms of glucosamine but there is one form that I do know is helpful for candida sufferers because it prevents candida from adhering to mucosal lining and it promotes Bifidobacteria growth. That form is called N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG for short). Here is a write-up I found on it:

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) is a naturally occurring aminoglycan found in large concentrations in intestinal mucus, secretory IgA, and other immunoglobulins. Intestinal mucus plays a critical role in protecting the host by providing a mechanical and immunological barrier against toxins, antigens, and bacteria in the gut lumen. Studies have shown that NAG blocks the adherence of Candida albicans to the gastrointestinal mucosa in vivo in animals and stimulates the growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria in vitro.116,117 Studies indicate that a defect exists in the glycoconjugate composition of intestinal mucin in many patients with IBD.118,119 One clinical study found that NAG is deficient in the mucin of IBD patients compared to non-IBD controls. This appears to be due to a defect in the biosynthesis of NAG involving N-acetylation of glucosamine-6-phosphate to form NAG.120 NAG can be absorbed from the gut lumen and directly incorporated into glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins of the intestinal mucosa.121

I found this info from a great webpage about healing leaky gut. The entire thing is fantastic. You can find it here:

http://naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2010-03/nutritional-protocol-treatment-intestinal-permeability-defects-and-related Tweet