Learn more about Dr. Coy and the creation of his sugar solutions.
Dr Johannes Coy is a world-renowned scientist whose research focuses on the health benefits of sugar awareness. Dr Coy has made a number of important genetic discoveries which change our understanding of cancer and nutrition and make him the leading expert on sugars.
Book: Fit with Sugar, by Dr Johannes Coy
Dr Coy has written several books about cancer nutrition. His latest book, Fit with Sugar, is now available. In this book, you’ll discover the evolutionary role of sugar in the human body. Consuming too much conventional sugar isn’t good for our health, but with the right sugars, we can stop cell ageing, keep the brain fit, protect against diseases and switch on fat burning. Find out how you can maintain physical and mental performance using natural low- glycaemic sugars and sugar substitutes. The book includes many delicious recipes for cakes, snacks and desserts, so you can implement a sugar-conscious diet easily and intelligently, without giving up sweet treats.
Buy the book: Cancer-Fighting Diet: Diet and Nutrition Strategies to Help Weaken Cancer Cells and Improve Treatment, by Dr Johannes Coy.
Research & Resources
Oral Galactose Provides a Different Approach to Incretin-Based Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease
Incretin-based drugs, such as GLP-1 and GIP analogues, show promise for treating sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (sAD) due to their neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. This review highlights oral galactose as a potential sAD therapy, demonstrating its ability to prevent or improve cognitive deficits in a rat model by stimulating GLP-1-mediated effects and normalising cerebral glucose metabolism. Further research is needed to explore galactose’s therapeutic potential, safety, and its interaction with existing GLP-1 therapies.
The genes and enzymes for the catabolism of galactitol, D-tagatose, and related carbohydrates in Klebsiella oxytoca M5a1 and other enteric bacteria display convergent evolution
Enteric bacteria (Enteriobacteriaceae) carry on their single chromosome about 4000 genes that all strains have in common (referred to here as “obligatory genes”), and up to 1300 “facultative” genes that vary from strain to strain and from species to species. In closely related species, obligatory and facultative genes are orthologous genes that are found at similar loci. We have analyzed a set of facultative genes involved in the degradation of the carbohydrates galactitol, D-tagatose, D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-galactosamine in various pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of these bacteria. The four carbohydrates are transported into the cell by phosphotransferase (PTS) uptake systems, and are metabolized by closely related or even identical catabolic enzymes via pathways that share several intermediates. In about 60% of Escherichia coli strains the genes for galactitol degradation map to a gat operon at 46.8 min. In strains of Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae and K. oxytoca, the corresponding gat genes, although orthologous to their E. coli counterparts, are found at 70.7 min, clustered in a regulon together with three tag genes for the degradation of D-tagatose, an isomer of D-fructose. In contrast, in all the E. coli strains tested, this chromosomal site was found to be occupied by an aga/kba gene cluster for the degradation of D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-galactosamine. The aga/kba and the tag genes were paralogous either to the gat cluster or to the fru genes for degradation of D-fructose. Finally, in more then 90% of strains of both Klebsiella species, and in about 5% of the E. coli strains, two operons were found at 46.8 min that comprise paralogous genes for catabolism of the isomers D-arabinitol (genes atl or dal) and ribitol (genes rtl or rbt). In these strains gat genes were invariably absent from this location, and they were totally absent in S. enterica. These results strongly indicate that these various gene clusters and metabolic pathways have been subject to convergent evolution among the Enterobacteriaceae. This apparently involved recent horizontal gene transfer and recombination events, as indicated by major chromosomal rearrangements found in their immediate vicinity.
Structural features of sugars that trigger or support conidial germination in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger
The asexual spores (conidia) of Aspergillus niger germinate to produce hyphae under appropriate conditions. Germination is initiated by conidial swelling and mobilization of internal carbon and energy stores, followed by polarization and emergence of a hyphal germ tube. The effects of different pyranose sugars, all analogues of d-glucose, on the germination of A. niger conidia were explored, and we define germination as the transition from a dormant conidium into a germling. Within germination, we distinguish two distinct stages, the initial swelling of the conidium and subsequent polarized growth. The stage of conidial swelling requires a germination trigger, which we define as a compound that is sensed by the conidium and which leads to catabolism of d-trehalose and isotropic growth. Sugars that triggered germination and outgrowth included d-glucose, d-mannose, and d-xylose. Sugars that triggered germination but did not support subsequent outgrowth included d-tagatose, d-lyxose, and 2-deoxy-d-glucose. Nontriggering sugars included d-galactose, l-glucose, and d-arabinose. Certain nontriggering sugars, including d-galactose, supported outgrowth if added in the presence of a complementary triggering sugar. This division of functions indicates that sugars are involved in two separate events in germination, triggering and subsequent outgrowth, and the structural features of sugars that support each, both, or none of these events are discussed. We also present data on the uptake of sugars during the germination process and discuss possible mechanisms of triggering in the absence of apparent sugar uptake during the initial swelling of conidia.
Naturally occurring rare sugars are free radical scavengers and can ameliorate endoplasmic reticulum stress
Because of potential use of naturally occurring rare sugars as sweeteners, their effect on superoxide (SO), hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was examined in human coronary artery endothelial cells. SO generation was measured using the superoxide-reactive probe 2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-A]pyrazin-3-one hydrochloride chemiluminescence. Phycoerythrin fluorescence based assay was used to monitor scavenging activity of sugars in the presence of hydroxyl or peroxyl radical generators [CuSO4 and azobis (2 amidinopropane) hydrochloride respectively]. Measurements were made in relative light units (RLU). ER stress was measured with an ER stress-sensitive secreted alkaline phosphatase (SAP) assay and by Western blot analysis of the expression and phosphorylation of key proteins in the unfolded protein response, namely CHOP47, eIF2α and JNK1. D-Glucose (27.5 mM) increased SO generation (5536 ± 283 vs. 2963 ± 205 RLU in controls; p < 0.0007) and decreased SAP secretion (73411 ± 3971 vs. 101749 ± 7652 RLU in controls; p < 0.005) indicating ER stress. Treatment of cells with 5.5 or 27.5 mM of D-allulose, D-allose, D-sorbose and D-tagatose reduced SO generation (all p < 0.05). This could not be attributed to inhibition of cellular uptake of dextrose by the rare sugars tested. In a cell free system, all four rare sugars had significantly more SO, hydroxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activity compared to dextrose (all p < 0.01). Treatment of cells with rare sugars reduced ER stress. However, unlike other three rare sugars, D-sorbose did not inhibit tunicamycin-induced eIF2α phosphorylation. Naturally occurring rare sugars are free radical scavengers and can reduce ER stress.
Galactose enhances oxidative metabolism and reveals mitochondrial dysfunction in human primary muscle cells
This study looked at the differences in oxygen use when cells are nourished with glucose versus galactose. They saw a significant increase in oxygen utilisation with galactose, allowing them to characterise metabolic changes in diabetic patients, thereby creating a new model for the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Galactose promotes fat mobilization in obese lactating and nonlactating women
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published this study demonstrating the fat burning benefits of galactose: “Galactose consumption is associated with higher endogenous fat mobilization and oxidation during meal absorption”
Galactose increases mitochondrial activity which induces fat mobilisation and fat burning
This study focused on the role of transketolase (TKT) in colorectal cancer. The researchers found that TKT expression was significantly increased in colorectal cancer and correlated with poor prognosis. TKT was found to promote cancer cell growth and metastasis by interacting with GRP78 and enhancing glycolysis through AKT phosphorylation. These findings suggest that TKT could serve as a prognostic indicator for colorectal cancer and potentially be targeted for the development of new treatment strategies.
Preexercise galactose and glucose ingestion on fuel use during exercise
This study looked at how consuming two different types of sugar, galactose (Gal) and glucose (Glu), 30 minutes before exercise affects the use of these sugars during exercise. They had trained male cyclists do three cycling sessions after fasting overnight, and they consumed either a placebo, Gal, or Glu drink before each session.
The study found that Glu increased the use of the sugar from the drink during the first hour of exercise, while Gal was more effective during the last hour. Glu also led to higher glucose levels in the blood and the liver during exercise. However, there were no significant differences in overall carbohydrate or fat use between the two sugar types.
In summary, consuming Glu before exercise provides a quick source of energy in the early stages of exercise, while Gal becomes the primary source of fuel in the later stages, reducing the reliance on liver glucose.
Oxidation of independent and combined ingested galactose and glucose during exercise
This study investigated the impact of consuming a mixture of glucose and galactose during exercise on the utilization of ingested galactose. Fourteen trained male and female participants engaged in 150 minutes of cycling exercise at 50% peak power while ingesting different carbohydrate beverages. They consumed either galactose (GAL), glucose (GLU), or a combination of both (GAL + GLU) in a 1:1 ratio. The study used isotope labelling to measure the oxidation of the carbohydrates.
The study found that when participants consumed GAL + GLU, the concentration of galactose in their blood was lower compared to when they consumed GAL alone. However, combining galactose with glucose did not enhance the oxidation of ingested galactose during exercise. The total oxidation of the combined galactose-glucose blend (COMBINE) was similar to that of glucose alone, suggesting that these blends are a valid alternative to glucose as an energy source during exercise.
In summary, combining glucose and galactose did not enhance the use of ingested galactose during exercise. Galactose-glucose blends can serve as a viable carbohydrate source for energy during exercise, offering similar benefits to pure glucose.
Use of d-galactose to regulate biofilm growth
This animal study demonstrated the effectiveness of toothpaste made with galactose in preventing biofilm growth: “Our results suggest that d-galactose can be a candidate substance for the development of oral hygiene products to prevent caries by inhibiting the biofilm formation of S. mutans”
Anticaries effectiveness of D(+)-galactose
This study shows the effectiveness of galactose to prevent cavities and improve oral health: “5.0% galactose reduces the amount of caries with a high significance level, lowers abrasion of the chewing surfaces, possibly because of increased serum calcium related to this galactose concentration, and diminishes the amount of film.”
Galactose inhibits migration and invasive growth of cancer cells
This study provides clear evidence that specific types of dietary sugar are implicated in either feeding, or starving, the spread of cancer: “In order to test whether TKT’s promotion of colorectal cancer metastasis is dependent on glycolysis, we used galactose which induced cells to survive on ATP provided by mitochondrial respiration instead of glucose.”
Centella asiatica Protects d-Galactose/AlCl 3 Mediated Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Rats via PP2A/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway in Their Hippocampus
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and brain pathology. Centella asiatica (CA), an herb used in traditional medicine, has shown potential in improving cognitive functions. This study investigated the effects of CA on AD-like pathologies induced in rat models. The results revealed that CA increased the levels of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A), reduced glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) levels, and improved the expression of genes associated with cell survival. Additionally, CA prevented structural abnormalities in the hippocampus. This study suggests that CA may have a protective effect against AD-like pathologies by regulating tau proteins, promoting cell survival, and maintaining brain structure.
Metabolism of galactose in the brain and liver of rats and its conversion into glutamate and other amino acids
This animal study measured galactose uptake in various organs. It demonstrated that the liver, brain and muscles can use galactose. They showed that galactose concentrations in the brain remain higher for longer, demonstrating its ability to provided a more sustaining energy. They also found that galactose enhanced the breakdown of toxic ammonia and proposed “galactose as a new means of removal of this neurotoxic compound from the brain in patients suffering from hepatic encephalopathy or Alzheimer’s disease”.
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