In the 1980's, scientists biochemists began to explore the properties of Aloe Vera. Their research led to the discovery of a group of polysaccharides known as Aloe polymannans. 

According to Dr. Ian R. Tizard, an emminent immunologist, "Although common polysaccharides such as starch, dextran, and insulin do not have anti-tumour activity, there is abundant evidence that some mannans [including polymannans] are very potent anti-cancer agents."

Aloe polymannans are complex sugars consisting of two mannose molecules and one glucose molecule. These polymannans are composed of different molecular lengths, weights, and sizes. Lengths vary from short, medium, large, and very large. Within these parameters, each size molecule performs it own unique function in the body. 

Imagine a pearl necklace. The heavier, longer in length, and larger the pearls, the more valuable the necklace.  Imagine now that these pearls are actually individual mannans. The heavier and longer the chain of polymannans, the more vital and valuable the function performed in the body. In short, there are 4 chain lengths: short, medium, large, and very large. The very large chain length, with the heaviest molecular weight, is referred to as the Acemannan Fraction. It is these very large molecules that cause the body to produce a natural chemical, tumor necrosis factors, that shuts off blood supply to tumors.

According to The Scientist (April 29, 2002), "these macromolecules affect cell-cell interactions, immune function, and protein regulation, and disruption of their [presence in the body] results in disease..."

Our ancestors understood Aloe Vera to be an effective healing substance. Their understanding was largely based on observation and experience, on generations of trial and error. Today modern science has validated, from a molecular perspective, that the healing properties found in Aloe's inner gel can be traced to polymannans. 

What sparked the interest of the scientific community in this particular complex molecule in the first place was its ability to enhance the body's immune system when ingested-and to do so without harmful side effects.
In fact, a relatively new field of scientific study focusing on carbohydrate research has emerged: glycobiology . Scientists are especially interested in the key sugars, or glyconutrients, and phytochemicals contained within the Aloe gel.

In the 1990's, scientists discovered 200 sugar molecules found in nature. Of these 200 sugar molecules, the body requires 8 key sugars that support cell to cell communication. These 8 key sugars help the body properly synthesize bioactive molecules required in protein regulation. In fact, 7 of the 8 key sugars are found in the Aloe Vera inner gel; of these sugars, the most important or the "master" sugar is the polymannans (mannose).  Why? Because the body's receptor sites are waiting for this particular molecule, the mannose molecule, to dock there in order to start biological processes. The real importance of this "docking"  is for immune recognition; that is, recognising that which is self or other, that which is friendly or invasive (for example, viruses, parasites, etc.)  It is the only sugar found in nature that is not broken down by any enzyme. Furthermore, mannose is totally engulfed into the cell through a process known as endocytosis. Mannose is guided to very primitive receptor sites on each and every cell-from a hepatic cell to a brain cell. These sites, exclusive to mannose, are called MP6 (mannose phosphate 6).        

Once polymannans were detected in Aloe Vera, researchers noted that the varying chain length sizes of polymannans produce different healing properties. For example:

Short Chain Length
Small Molecular Weight:  Reduces inflammation, provides digestive support, and balances blood sugar regulation.

Medium Chain Length
Medium Molecular Weight: Very effective intracellular antioxidants and free radical scavengers.  
 
Large Chain Length
Large Molecular Weight:  Has a direct anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic and anti-viral effect.
 
Very Large Chain Length 
Very Large Molecular weight:  The very large molecules [also referred to as acemannans or Acemannan Fraction ] are immune modulating. They orchestrate a cascade of immune responses resulting in an enhanced activation of general host defense, tissue remodeling and healing for up regulation under active and down regulation over active immune systems.
   

Unlike other plants, Aloe Vera contains all FOUR chain lengths, instead of three. Again, the presence of the fourth (Acemannan Fraction, with its very large chain length) makes all the difference

Aloe Vera is not the only nutritive substance containing polymannans,. In fact, we should be receiving polymannans through the consumption of wheat and rice.  However, the development of hybrid seeds, the use of poor farming practices, and the marketing of overly processed foods have sabotaged the nutritive value of our diets. Even if products are labeled "organic,"  one could never eat a large enough quantity of the organic food in question to meet the body's immune system mannose requirements.  

Add to this the emotional, mental, and physical stress inherent in daily life-as well as taxing environmental factors-and one begins to understand the profound level of support required by our immune systems. 

Until very recently, most Aloe products available on the market were either highly processed or processed incorrectly, and therefore devoid of the highly prized, very large-sized polymannans. At AL Low & Associates, all of our products are processed according to the most sensitive methods possible-stabilizing these precious molecules and passing their maximum benefits on to you.

 The U.S. Adopted Name Council gave one product the generic drug name "acemannan."