Galactan

Arabinogalactans are found in a variety of plants but are more abundant in the Larix genus, primarily Larix occidentalis (Western Larch). The Western Larch is unique among pines in that it loses its needles in the fall. Larch arabinogalactan is a source of dietary fiber, but also has potential therapeutic benefits as an immune stimulating agent.

Non-absorbed larch arabinogalactan is actively fermented by intestinal microflora and is particularly effective at increasing beneficial anaerobes such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. Larch arabinogalactan is an excellent source of dietary fiber that is able to increase short-chain fatty acid production (primarily butyrate) via its vigorous fermentation by intestinal microflora.

It is well documented that butyrate is essential for proper colon health as it is the preferred substrate for energy generation by colonic epithelial cells. Arabinogalactan added to human fecal homogenates has also been shown to decrease ammonia generation. Larch arabinogalactan given to human subjects increased levels of beneficial intestinal anaerobes, particularly Bifidobacterium longum, via their fermentation specificity for arabinogalactan compared to other complex carbohydrates.

Arabinogalactan is a soluble dietary fibre that resists the action of human digestive hydrolytic enzymes, and therefore, enters the large bowel intact, where it is anaerobically broken-down by the resident microflora ultimately resulting in the production of the SCFAs and other intermediate products. These bacteria are known to resist the invasion of the large bowel by potentially pathogenic species and thus contribute to the human host defence against diarrhoeal illness.

Investigations of 48 h fecal incubates from two human subjects given arabinogalactan at 0.8 g/kg/day for 14 days, showed significant, about 3-fold increases in the content of SCFAs indicating upregulation of bacterial metabolism of arabinogalactan. It has been suggested that a flourishing bacterial population of the large intestine may also assist with the function of the intestinal immune barrier.

To that extent, it is possible that the non-specific immune response is supported by the trophic effects of SCFAs on intestinal mucosa, which are believed to be helpful in maintaining a properly functioning mucosal cell population, and therefore, an optimal defence barrier against invading organisms.


Galactan™ Ingredients: 
100% Quantum-State Arabinogalactan

Other Ingredients: None (no toxic sweeteners, fillers or taste enhancers)

Size:  227g