What Are Glycosaminoglycans?

By Author: Gareth Hoyle
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Glycosaminoglycans or GAGs are long branched polymeric carbohydrate structures (polysaccharides). They are now most commonly referred to as GAGs, but used to be known as mucopolysaccharides.

These naturally occurring carbohydrates are found in the cartilage, skin, joint fluid and connective tissue of humans. In the body they have several functions, so there are several different kinds of glycosaminoglycans formed in the body to fulfil each function. An imbalance of any one of these glycosaminoglycans can be serious and research suggests that many serious joint diseases, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis are at least partly caused by an imbalance of glycosaminoglycans within the body.

Other problems occur in the body when the balance of glycosaminoglycans is not right. These problems include heart defects, skin disease, respiratory problems, fibrosis, an inability to heal and several other health problems.

Fortunately GAGs can be synthesised and given to you to re-balance the levels within your body. Innovative drugs firms are developing new forms of GAGs all the time and are making progress in treating ...
... many serious diseases as a result.

Some Medical Uses for Glycosaminoglycans

The most common form of glycosaminoglycans is Heparin. In the body it acts as an anticoagulant. Chemists have successfully synthesised Heparin and it is now available in injection form for use as an anticoagulant. There are a number of day to day medical uses for Heparin including priming dialysis machines, so that blood flows smoothly through the dialysis machine without coagulating on its way through. It is also used to prime test tubes for a similar reason.

Chondroitin sulphate is another example of a GAG that is used in medicine. This is one of the main glycosaminoglycans found in cartilage. So when someone suffers from osteoarthritis it is often prescribed to improve the quality of their cartilage.

Buying Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans should not be taken without medical supervision. Taking them without proper supervision can result in the onset of other serious diseases. There are specialist chemists and drug companies producing a wide range of GAGs many of whom can be found with a simple Google (or other search engine) search.