Guest guest Posted October 23, 2005 Report Share Posted October 23, 2005 , From the two references below, it looks like this arabinogalactan may actually help reduce oxalates by its effects on the flora. The writeup in the PDR shows its metabolism, and nothing there seems worrisome. I think it is probably OK and might even be helpful. Vet Microbiol. 2004 Jul 14;101(3):161-6. Related Articles, Links Click here to read Oxalate degradation by intestinal lactic acid bacteria in dogs and cats. Weese JS, Weese HE, Yuricek L, Rousseau J. Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada. jsweese@... This study evaluated the ability of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) component of canine and feline feces to degrade oxalate in vitro. Oxalate degradation by individual canine-origin LAB was also evaluated. The effects of various prebiotics on in vitro oxalate degradation by selected oxalate-degrading canine LAB was also evaluated. Canine fecal samples reduced oxalate levels by 78 +/- 12.2% (mean +/- S.D.; range: 44-97%, median: 81%). Feline results were similar, with oxalate reduction of 69.7 +/- 16.7% (mean +/- S.D.; range: 40-96%, median: 73%). Thirty-seven lactic acid bacteria were isolated from canine fecal samples. Mean oxalate degradation was 17.7 +/- 16.6% (mean +/- S.D.; range: 0-65%, median: 13%). No oxalate degradation was detected for four (11%) isolates, and 10/37 (27%) degraded less than 10% of oxalate. The effects of lactitol, arabinogalactan, guar gum, gum Arabic, inulin, maltodextrin or a commercial fructooligosaccharide (FOS) product on in vitro oxalate degradation by five canine LAB isolates were highly variable, even within the same bacterial species. Overall, in vitro degradation was significantly greater with guar gum compared to arabinogalactan (P < 0.05), gum Arabic (P < 0.05), and lactitol (P < 0.01). This study suggests that manipulation of the LAB component of the canine and feline gastrointestinal microflora may decrease intestinal oxalate, and correspondingly intestinal oxalate absorption and renal excretion, thus potentially reducing oxalate urolithiasis. PMID: 15223120 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/lar_0320.shtml Larch Arabinogalactan DESCRIPTION Larch arabinogalactan refers to a polysaccharide derived from wood of the Western larch or Larix occidentalis. Arabinogalactans occur in other types of larch, but that which is marketed for supplemental usage comes from the Western larch. Larch arabinogalactan is not one substance but a mixture of several different arabinogalactans with molecular weights as low as 3,000 daltons and as high as 100,000 daltons. Arabinogalactans are water-soluble polysaccharides widely found in plants, fungi and bacteria. They are comprised of D-galactose and L-arabinose residues in the form of a beta-D-(1-3)-galactan main chain with side chains made up of galactose and arabinose units of various lengths. Galactan itself is a polymer of galactose. In plants, arabinogalactans occur as arabinogalactan proteins. These proteins are proteoglycans involved in plant growth and development; they may also be involved in signal transduction in plants. Dietary intake of arabinogalactans comes from carrots, radishes, tomatoes, pears and wheat, among other plant foods. Gum arabic, a commonly used food additive, is composed of highly branched arabinogalactan. Arabinogalactans are also found in such herbs as Echinacea spp. and such edible mushrooms as Ganoderma lucidum. Arabinogalactans are thought to contribute to the possible immune-enhancing activities of echinacea and ganoderma. Larch arabinogalactan is considered a nondigestible soluble dietary fiber. It is also thought to stimulate the colonic growth of such bacteria as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These bacteria may confer certain health benefits. Substances that stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria are called bifidogenic factors. Substances that promote the colonic growth of beneficial bacteria are called prebiotics. ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY ACTIONS Larch arabinogalactan may have immune-enhancing activity. MECHANISM OF ACTION Larch arabinogalactan has shown some immune-enhancing activity in the laboratory, particularly with regard to the stimulation of human natural killer cell cytotoxicity. The mechanism of the possible immune-enhancing activity is not known. PHARMACOKINETICS Little is reported on the pharmacokinetics of larch arabinogalactan in humans. It appears that there is little digestion of the polysaccharide in the stomach and small intestine. Like similar substances, it is most likely fermented in the colon to produce the short-chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate; the gases hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane; and lactate, pyruvate and succinate. This requires corroboration by human studies. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Larch arabinogalactan exhibits immune-enhancing properties in animal and in vitro studies. RESEARCH SUMMARY Larch arabinogalactan has enhanced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and has also enhanced the function of some other immune-system components in experimental studies. It has inhibited the metastasis of tumor cells to the liver in the laboratory. Human trials are needed. CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS Larch arabinogalactan is contraindicated in those hypersensitive to any component of a larch arabinogalactan-containing preparation. PRECAUTIONS Since larch arabinogalactan contains galactose and since the pharmacokinetics of the polysaccharide in humans has not been clarified, those who require a low galactose diet should avoid the substance. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid larch arabinogalactan supplements, pending long-term safety studies. Those with lactose intolerance should exercise caution in the use of supplemental larch arabinogalactan. ADVERSE REACTIONS Doses of up to 10 grams daily appear to be well tolerated. There are no reports of adverse reactions. However, as with similar products, it would be expected that at higher doses (e.g., greater than 30 grams daily) gastrointestinal side effects, such as flatus, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, would be likely to occur in some. INTERACTIONS No known interactions with drugs, nutritional supplements, foods or herbs. OVERDOSAGE There are no reports of overdosage. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Larch arabinogalactan is available in capsules, powder and combination products marketed as nutritional supplements. Dosage is variable and ranges from 1 to 3 grams daily and sometimes higher. LITERATURE Hauer J, Anderer FA. Mechanism of stimulation of human natural killer cytotoxicity by arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 1993; 36:237-244. He Y,Li.R, Chen Q, et al. [Chemical studies of immunologically active polysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.ex Fr.) Karst.] [Article in Chinese.] Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih. 1992; 17:226-228,256. GS. Larch arabinogalactan: clinical relevance of a novel immune--enhancing polysaccharide. Altern Med Rev. 1999; 4:96-103. Odonmazig P, Ebringerova A, Machova E, Alfodi J. Structural and molecular properties of the arabinogalactan isolated from Mongolian larchwood (Larix dahurica L). Carbohydr Res. 1994; 252:317-324. Ponder GR, s GN. Arabinogalactan from Western larch. Part III: alkaline degredation revisited, with novel conclusions on molecular structure. Carbohydrate Polymers. 1997; 34:251-261. At 06:32 PM 10/23/2005 -0500, you wrote: >Sorry everyone; I'm having a problem with the " r " on my keyboard (and some >other keys), since my son poured water on my desk and it leaked into my >keyboard; I realized that my post had TWO missing r's. > > > >, > >I definitely DON'T understand this on the technical level that you do, but >I was trying to understand the discussion below. We're gradually moving to >a low oxalate diet; I was reviewing the chart you made for the upcoming >DAN! conference and it makes sense that my son might be high in >oxalates. I'm looking at the supplements he is currently taking and trying >to determine if I should delete any, or add others. We use Larch Arabinex >(Arabinogalactans) from Thorne Research. Is this recommended, neutral, or >contraindicated on the low oxalate diet??? > >Thanks! :-) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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