LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN

OTHER NAME(S):

Abies gmelinii, AG, Ara-6, Arabinogalactan de Alerce, Arabinogalactan, Arabinogalactane, Arabinogalactane de Meleze, Arabinogalactane de Mélèze, Arabinogalactin, Arabinogalactine, Dietary Fiber, Fibre Alimentaire, Fibre Soluble, Gmelinii, Gomme de Mélèze, Larch, Larch Gum, Larch Tree, Larix, Larix dahurica, Larix decidua, Larix europaea, Larix gmelinii, Larix laricina, Larix occidentalis, Lch, Mélèze, Mélèze d’Europe, Mongolian Larch, Mongolian Larchwood, Pinus Larix, Soluble Fiber, Stractan, Western Larch, Western Larch Arabinogalactan, Wood Gum, Wood Sugar.

Overview

Overview Information

Arabinogalactan is a starch-like chemical that is found in many plants. It is found in highest concentrations in larch trees. Larch arabinogalactan is used for medicine. Most of the larch arabinogalactan you will find in stores is produced from western larch or eastern larch trees. However, larch arabinogalactan can also be produced by other larch tree species.

Larch arabinogalactan is used for infections, including the common cold, flu, H1N1 (swine) flu, ear infections in children, and HIV/AIDS. It is also used to treat liver cancer, as well as a brain condition caused by liver damage (hepatic encephalopathy). Some people use it to provide dietary fiber, lower cholesterol, and to boost the immune system.

In foods, larch arabinogalactan is used as a stabilizer, binder, and sweetener.

How does it work?

Larch arabinogalactan is a fiber that ferments in the intestine. It might increase intestinal bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and have other effects that could be beneficial to digestive tract health. There is also information that suggests larch arabinogalactan might boost the immune system and help prevent cancer cells in the liver from growing.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Common cold. Early research shows that taking 4.5 grams of a specific larch arabinogalactan extract daily for 12 weeks does not lower the overall number of colds or reduce cold symptoms in people who frequently suffer from cold symptoms. But more people taking larch arabinogalactan seem to avoid getting the cold compared to people taking a placebo pill.
  • High cholesterol. Early research shows that taking larch arabinogalactan does not lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol, other blood fats called triglycerides, body weight, blood pressure, or sugar levels in healthy people. It is not yet known whether larch arabinogalactan improves these outcomes in people with high cholesterol.
  • Pneumonia. Early research shows that taking 4.5 grams of a specific larch arabinogalactan product daily increases the immune system response to pneumonia vaccines. It’s not known if this helps prevent pneumonia.
  • Flu.
  • H1N1 (swine) flu.
  • Liver disease.
  • Liver cancer.
  • Earache (otitis media).
  • HIV/AIDS.
  • Dietary fiber supplementation.
  • Boosting the immune system.
  • Inflammation.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of larch arabinogalactan for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Larch arabinogalactan is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. It’s POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts for less than 6 months. It can cause side effects such as bloating and intestinal gas (flatulence). Not enough is known about the safety of long-term use of larch arabinogalactan.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking larch arabinogalactan if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Larch arabinogalactan might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using larch arabinogalactan.

Organ transplant recipients: Larch arabinogalactan might increase the risk of organ transplant rejection. If you have received an organ transplant, don’t use larch arabinogalactan until more is known.

Interactions

Interactions?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN

    Larch arabinogalactan seems to increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system larch arabinogalactan might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.

    Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of larch arabinogalactan depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for larch arabinogalactan. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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