Sialic acid information by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Sialic acid, a key component of both human milk
oligosaccharides and neural tissues, may be a conditional nutrient during
periods of rapid brain growth. For more research in this
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Sialic acid is a generic term for the N- or O-substituted
derivatives of neuraminic acid, a monosaccharide with a nine-carbon backbone. It
is also the name for the most common member of this group,
N-acetylneuraminic acid.
Sialic acid and brain
Dietary sialic acid supplementation improves learning and memory in piglets.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 2, 561-569, February 2007.
We tested the hypothesis that variations in the sialic acid content of a formula
milk would influence early learning behavior and gene expression of enzymes
involved in sialic acid metabolism in piglets. Piglets were allocated to 1 of 4
groups fed sow milk replacer supplemented with increasing amounts of sialic acid
as casein glycomacropeptide for 35 days. Brain ganglioside and sialoprotein
concentrations and mRNA expression of 2 learning-associated genes (ST8SIA4 and
GNE) were measured. Feeding a protein-bound source of sialic acid during early
development enhanced learning and increased expression of 2 genes associated
with learning in developing piglets. Sialic acid in mammalian milks could play a
role in cognitive development.
questions
Q. Would you please let me know if you have any supplements with sialic acid in
it. if so how many milligrams.
A. We are not aware of any sialic acid supplements for sale.