Question

Toxicology of the Alkylglycerols.

Answer 1

Ans) Alkylglycerols are a type of lipid. Lipids are fatty in nature. We sometimes use the terms “lipid” and “fat” as synonyms.

- But actual fat (triglycerides) is just another type of lipid, and so it is not accurate to say that a lipid is always a fat. Lipids do many things in your body; they build cell membranes and perform cell signaling.

- All of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are different kinds of lipids. Alkylglycerols are a fatty-like lipid nutrient.

- The carbons and hydrogens that make up the fattiness of alkylglycerols are in a long chain called a hydrocarbon that is uniquely bonded together by single-bonded oxygen (ether bonds), as opposed to double-bonded oxygen (ester bonds) that typically hold triglycerides together. It is these ether bonds that make alkylglycerols uniquely active as a type of fatty substance.

- Similar to fatty acids, there can be different lengths of alkylglycerols based on how many carbons form their “spine.” These can range in length from 14 to 24 carbons.

- Different length alkylglycerols do different things in your body. At the end of the carbon spine is an alkyl group, a molecular end cap, which is like the plastic tip on the end of a shoelace. Biological activity is based on the length of the carbon spine and the unique oxygen bonding system of the nutrient.

- Unlike the alcohol you drink, alkylglycerols are basically functional alcohols of different lengths. Chimyl alcohol, batyl alcohol, and selachyl alcohol are all different types of naturally occurring alkylglycerols. Each of these behaves differently in metabolism, meaning that alkylglycerols have multiple different functions.

- The basic point to understand is that alkylglycerols are a unique fatty nutrient with a wide variety of activities in your body.

- While they were first understood in a context of immune support, they are now moving into a broader context of basic cell nourishment for health. They easily become part of cell membranes and participate in cell signaling. The new science is beginning to explain their diverse functions to support health.