Title:
Goji And Polysaccharides

Word Count:
404

Summary:
No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than does the goji. It was not surprising when scientists found the little red berry chock full of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Keywords:
goji juice,health,nutrition

Article Body:
No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than does the goji. It was not surprising when scientists found the little red berry chock full of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Bioactive polysaccharides are a family of complex carbohydrates that are bound to proteins. They are produced by some plants as an extremely effective defense mechanism against attack against today’s environmental issues and attacks on our bodies. When we eat plants that are rich in polysaccharides, these protective effects are bestowed upon us. Until recent years, scientist had put all polysaccharides together with other carbohydrates such as starches and sugars. They had considered them to be of value only as a source of energy. All that changed when it was discovered that certain types of polysaccharides could cause beneficial changes to the human body.

Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.

LBP polysaccharides proved to have exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars (glycoconjugates), rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and galactose- that are necessary for proper immune function and cells to communicate. In fact, goji may be the richest source of glyconutrients yet found.

Scientists tested goji berry samples looking for polysaccharide content. They found that there was great variation in levels of LBP’s among the berries from different regions. Berries that are said to be highly effective contain the full range of LBP and not just one or two. Each of the four main polysaccharides has their own distinct benefit. Studies show, for the highest biological activity, all polysaccharides must be present.

Research strongly suggests that goji's unique polysaccharides work in the body as directors and carriers of cell information and therefore command and control many of the body's biochemical defense systems.
Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.