What Is Galactose And Where It Is Contained

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Video: What Is Galactose And Where It Is Contained

Video: What Is Galactose And Where It Is Contained
Video: Metabolism of galactose: Classic Galactosemia, Galactokinase deficiency 2024, November
What Is Galactose And Where It Is Contained
What Is Galactose And Where It Is Contained
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Galactose is one of the main sources of energy for the body. Represents plain milk sugar. It is necessary for the proper functioning of our body, and is also used in medicine and microbiology.

Galactose is a monosaccharidewhich is very common in nature. It is similar in composition to glucose, only slightly different from it in its atomic structure.

Galactose is found in certain microorganisms in almost all products of plant and animal origin. Its highest content is found in lactose.

They are different two types of galactose: L and D.

The first, in the form of a polysaccharide fraction, is found in red algae.

The second is much more common, can be found in many organisms as part of various substances - glycosides, oligosaccharides, in a number of polysaccharides of bacterial and plant nature, pectin, gums. Oxidizing, galactose produces galacturonic and galactonic acids.

Galactose is used in medicine as a contrast agent for ultrasound, as well as in microbiology to determine the type of microorganism.

Galactose
Galactose

Galactose is actively involved in creating cell walls and also helping tissues to be more elastic. It is part of the lipids of the brain, blood and connective tissue.

Galactose is essential for the brain and nervous system. Normalized galactose levels prevent the development of dementia as well as nervous disorders. The risk of developing Alzheimer's is reduced.

In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Galactose is involved in the formation of hemicellulose, which is needed to create cell walls.

Prevents the development of some diseases of the nervous system.

Foods rich in galactose

The main source of galactose in humans is food. A large amount of food consumed during the day contains lactose, from which galactose is formed in the intestine as a result of hydrolysis. Many foods contain pure galactose. Such products are, for example, milk, sour cream, cheese, yogurt, kefir.

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