Polysaccharides are polymeric carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages and on hydrolysis give the constituent monosaccharides or oligosaccharides.
Contents
Uses
In nutrition, polysaccharides are digested in the body and used as potential energy sources. There are many benefits to this macro-molecule. They can reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and stabilize blood sugar. Polysaccharides are a broad term for any sugar molecule that has a glycogen bond.
Benefits
Polysaccharides offer numerous benefits to our system, including helping us to prevent and treat several ailments. Most importantly, polysaccharides facilitate in improving our mood by augmenting the amount of optimistic and satisfying chemical substances in the brain, thereby, helping to create a happy feeling. Polysaccharides also promote the healthy blood sugar levels that are vital for diabetics. In addition, the other benefits offered by polysaccharides include supporting the cardio-vascular health as well as immunity health of people consuming complex carbohydrates found in foods and nutrients. This action of polysaccharides helps us to ward off several degenerative ailments, such as heart diseases. Most importantly, consumption of polysaccharides also helps to improve the function of the liver. People who ingest sufficient amounts of polysaccharides also find themselves to be more energetic and hardly get exhausted, since polysaccharides provide the body with the vital source of energy that is often used to run the different vital body functions. In addition, when polysaccharides are consumed, they also have a beneficial effect on the intestines. In effect, they not only enhance the health of the intestine, but also facilitate in the lessening of risks of colon cancer as well as inhibiting certain developments by releasing energy at a slower pace to keep the blood sugar levels stable.
It is important to note that any carbohydrate that supplies workable energy also encloses polysaccharides. Therefore, it is not surprising that several varieties of mushrooms as well as goji berries (the commercial name of Wolfberry) are being promoted commercially for the health benefits they provide us. In addition, specific cereals as well as grains, for instance, barley and oats, also enclose polysaccharides and additional nutriments that facilitate in maintaining the blood sugar level steady. These cereals and grains also provide us with several types of vitamins and minerals that are essential for our health in general. Many physicians and dieticians often recommend direct consumption of polysaccharides in the form of foods, as purchasing dietary supplements containing this carbohydrate chain may prove to be hard for the body to digest because they are considered to be alien substances in our body.
On the other hand, foods are seen as natural substances in the body and easily digested providing us with numerous health advantages. In effect, there are a few dietary supplements that contain extracts of the principal elements of acai berries, goji berries and other fruits that enclose polysaccharides or the polymeric carbohydrate chains. Hence, it is advisable that before you start taking any dietary supplement containing polysaccharides, it is essential to undertake a personal research to find out the precise products that not only suit your requirements, but are also genuinely effectual. In addition, you also need to do some research to determine the exact time when you need to consume the real fruits and not just dietary supplements containing polysaccharides.
It is important to note that pectin is a vital polysaccharide and it comprises several fruits and vegetables, such as bananas,oranges, apples, apricot, grapefruits, carrots and cabbage, which encloses the maximum amount of pectin.
Caution
Constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or upset stomach may occur. These effects are usually temporary and may disappear as your body adjusts to this medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
n/a
Reference
Source: Herbs2000, http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/polysacharides.htm
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysaccharide
WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5909/polysaccharide-iron-complex-oral/details#side-effects