Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Sticky Glucose

This is more correctly termed glycosylation. This is a normal physiological process, by which glucose is chemical attached to proteins and lipids (fats). We can have
1. Glycolipids
2. Glycoproteins (lectins)

These compounds serve important physiological roles, such as:
1. Cell-cell recognition (eg immune system )
2. Intra-cell signalling

Sugars Involved
1. Glucose (carbohydrates,starches,sugars)
2. Fructose (fruits)
3. Galactose (fruits)

Toxic Aspects
1. Damaged proteins, not designed to have glucose attached. (eg haemoglobin)
2. Damaged fats (eg membranes of cells, endoplasmic reticulum, microsomes,mitochondria)

This leads to general havoc, and loss of functionality;
1. Immune system dysruption
2. Less efficient metabolism with loss energy

(to be continued)