The Real Story that ABC’s 20/20 MissedWhy did ABC not finish their investigation on Mannatech?
The Real Story that ABC’s 20/20 Investigators Missed ABC’s 20/20 story on Mannatech – Why did ABC not finish their investigation on Mannatech?
By Mark Johnson
June 2, 2007
In the U.S., we are conditioned to be directed by "the experts". This has become the educating (brainwashing) method of choice employed by the media for years, attempting to convince us “public” of many things. Thank goodness for the Internet where we can expose such nonsense when we see it. Let's examine the ABC 20/20 deceptions presented by the two "doctors" who were interviewed on the June 1, 2007 program investigating Mannatech and Ambrotose.
First, let's look a little closer at what one of the scientists who was interviewed on the 20/20 piece, Dr. Hudson Freeze, has to say about glyconutrients in published papers that he has helped author. Researching at the Burnham Institute in La Jolla, CA, USA, Dr. Freeze has published several papers, some of which were in collaboration with other researchers. A March 1998 published study done using rats, demonstrated that intact mannose molecules are rapidly absorbed from the intestine into the blood, and mannose is cleared from the blood within hours.
His work showed that, contrary to current thinking, liver cells in tissue culture absorb most of the mannose for glycoprotein synthesis directly from mannose and not from glucose. This finding has challenged a long standing belief by scientists that the body converts all sugars directly from glucose intake, (effectively disproving the “glucose-only” theory) and demonstrates that other pathways exist for absorbing the necessary glyconutrient sugars.
In December 1998, Dr. Freeze and other scientists conducted a study on healthy humans who were given radioactively labeled galactose, mannose or glucose (sugars found in Ambrotose.) To their amazement, galactose and mannose were directly absorbed and incorporated into glycoproteins without first being broken down into glucose. Dr. Freeze and the other scientists concluded: "that specific dietary sugars could represent a new class of nutrients." A 1998 literature review concluded that humans frequently developed liver dysfunction when they were fed only glucose in state-of-the art parenteral nutrition (intravenous drip bags). They concluded that use of other saccharides could have practical consequences, especially in parenteral nutrition where only glucose is currently given.
In a November 1998 review by Dr. Freeze and others, he concluded that disorders in glycosylation are much more common than originally thought and that there is emerging belief that Diabetes in children is just one such genetic disorder. The authors stated that "the finding that mannose, but not glucose, corrected glycosylation .... was surprising ... Mannose offers an attractive therapy because it should be easy to administer and non-toxic ... There is scant information on the availability of mannose in food, but dietary mannose is probably insufficient to supply all glycosylation." We all know that these "dietary sugars" are found in Mannatech's Ambrotose. So why did Dr. Freeze respond as he did? We can only speculate.
The other person touted by ABC as a leading scientist in glycobiology named Ronald Schnaar, Ph.D. of John’s Hopkins was asked the following question by the ABC reporter: “Is there any valid scientific evidence that this Mannatech product really works?” Dr. Schnaar responds by referencing the National Library of Medicine (www.PubMed.org) as the main repository of medical knowledge. Then with intentioned drama, he looks at the reporter and makes a circle with his right hand and says quite emphatically, "Zero." Well, he is absolutely correct, because "Ambrotose" is a company brand name.
The term "glyconutrients" or “glyco-nutrients” is the word that Mannatech coined as a new generic term for scientists to use in research papers. Glyconutrients are found to be essential in the production of glycoproteins made in human cells (Harper's Biochemistry Textbook, 24th ed. and later). There are many listings on PubMed for “glyconutrients.” Basic common sense confirms that scientific journals, papers and research, all use terms like “glyco-nutrients,” "glycoprotein," "glycoconjugate," "glycoform," "mannose," "fucose," "xylose," etc... Journals report on the science, not on a particular company's name or brand names. As an example, published papers focus on the results of clinical studies using “monosaccharides” and “oligosaccharides.” Ol’ Doc Ronnie is not demonstrating intellectual honesty with his answer to the question. Besides, there have been hundreds of published studies using Mannatech’s glyconutritionals. Someone needs to show him how to find them.
As an example, two double blind, placebo-controlled studies conducted at the University of Arkansas, evaluated the effects of glyconutrient supplementation upon the brain functioning of twenty healthy college students. It was found that glyconutrients (1) enhanced brainwave frequencies known to be associated with attention or alertness, (2) increased reaction time and (3) enhanced concentration (Wang, Pivik and Dykman – University of Arkansas, presented April 2002) This study was done with Mannatech’s glyconutrients.
Contrary to the drama of Doc Ronnie, and the sensationalist, yellow journalistic reporting of ABC's “20/20 Entertainment Show,” here are the counts for the number of published papers on some of the components of Ambrotose as listed directly from the PubMed.org web site:
Mannose: 20,265 papers
Fucose: 7,983 papers
Galactose: 26,832 papers
Xylose: 7,493 papers
Glucose: 302,162 papers
N-Acetyl Galactosamine: 1,175 papers
N-Acetyl Glucosamine: 3,744 papers
N-Acetyl Neuraminic Acid: 3,766 papers
Arabinogalactan: 776 papers
Arabinose: 4,308 papers
It is obvious that ABC, partially funded by revenues from pharmaceutical company advertisers who know that our products are making a difference in the quality of life of thousands, has purposefully tried to damage Mannatech in the 20/20 piece. This is obvious to everyone. If ABC was interested in fair reporting, they would have taken a different approach. For starters, they would have interviewed the tens of thousands of people whose health has recovered as a result of using these products. That would be some good news, worthy of airing.
If they were reporting honestly, the 20/20 story would have mentioned that Mannatech's glyconutrients have been found to be necessary to be incorporated into special "quick response foods" by the World Health Organization and the United Nations, to help nourish distressed and starving people in crisis situations. Perhaps ABC could have mentioned about the ministry of Manna Relief and the global impact that Mannatech's glyconutrients are having on children around the world like those with AIDS in Africa. Surely ABC could let people know about the up-coming 8th Wonder of the World Concert Series, where Manna Relief is a beneficiary and where billions of people are going to learn about Manna Relief and be exposed to the benefits of Ambrotose for saving the lives of children. (visit the official web site: https://www.eighthwonderoftheworld.com )
If ABC were truly being objective, they would have mentioned that Dr. Ben Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John's Hopkins University, and Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Plastic Surgery and Pediatriacs, has stated that Mannatech's glyconutritional products helped save his life from an aggressive form of prostate cancer. A video where Dr. Carson addresses a large audience and shares his story is available on www.youtube.com. Dr. Carson is also pictured on the front cover of an issue of Dallas Weekly magazine where he makes the same incredible statements. Perhaps ABC should have interviewed Dr. Carson to find out why he is so excited about Mannatech’s Ambrotose and his experience with how Ambrotose has helped children so that they no longer have childhood seizure disorders.
Why didn't ABC mention that Mannatech was invited to attend MIT's 2004 Emerging Technology Conference where Mannatech was selected (the only nutrition company attending) out of over 100 applicants, for presenting new and disruptive technologies to investors. And at that event, Dr. Robert K. Murray who co-authored Harper's Biochemistry Medical Textbook, attended Mannatech's booth to answer investor's questions about glyconutritional technology!
If ABC were so accurate in reporting, surely they wouldn't have missed the fact that rheumatologist, Dr. John Axford of the Royal Society of Medicine and a renowned author of several medical textbooks as well as a leading researcher on Rheumatoid Arthritis, joined the board of directors of Mannatech. Dr. Axford is helping with glyconutrient research being conducted simultaneously both at Mannatech and at the Royal Society of Medicine.
Or what about the first place award given to Mannatech's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Rob Sinnott, for the poster presentation he recently showed. Dr. Sinnott’s presentation explained how emerging science is showing that digestive bacteria play an important role in the chemical breakdown, assimilation and absorption of dietary sugars found in our product, Ambrotose.
I guess ABC 20/20 video editors were in a hurry and "just forgot" to put the name and title underneath the short video clip of H. Reginald McDaniel, M.D. (Dr. Reg). Dr. Reg, who was one of the highest paid pathologists (doctor specializing in disease) in the Southwest, was shown speaking about glyconutrients to an audience. I guess ABC sort of wanted the gullible viewing public to think he was just some wacko renegade Mannatech Associate peddling a “sugar pill.”
ABC failed to mention that Dr. McDaniel is one of the co-inventors listed on the Mannatech Ambrotose patent, that he has been doing clinical research with hundreds of patients over the past quarter century, and that he is the founder of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research.
ABC should have known that Dr. McDaniel, as a professional witness, testified before Congress on Comprehensive Medical Care for Bioterrorism Exposure. At that historic event, Dr. McDaniel’s exhibits and scientific data showed that “glyconutrients boost the level of innate body defenses by enhancing the synthesis of cytokines that are designed to protect the body from ALL infectious agents.” (https://www.fisherinstitute.org – complete syllabus available for anyone).
The investigative ABC reporters seemed to have missed a chance of a newsworthy story relevant to the current stem cell debate. Dr. McDaniel has published research based on accepted testing methods demonstrating that supplementation with glyconutrients greatly increases the production of adult stem cells in the human body. He has presented this incredible finding before state legislators in an attempt to inform them that fetal stem-cell research is no longer necessary since our own bodies can generate massive quantities of healing stem cells when given glyconutrients. In fact, he reveals that implanting stem cells from other people is actually very dangerous and even fatal (as studies in China have proved)!
Oh, and by the way, you'd think that ABC would have mentioned something about the American Medical Association (AMA) approved Continuing Medical Education (CME's) Category 1 Credits now available for Medical Doctors, Nurses, Dentists and other medical professionals on the benefits and applications of glyconutritionals. Medical professionals are required to accumulate CME’s in order to maintain their medical licenses to practice in the various states where they work. Courses at various Glycomics Medical Conferences have addressed specific disease conditions that respond beneficially with the use of glyconutrients and other nutritional components. Medical professionals are taught about the potential benefits of dietary supplements and how to recognize quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements and nutritional technologies.
Dr. Gilbert Kaats, Ph.D., CEO of Integrated Health Technologies who has been independently testing the effects of nutritional supplements for nearly 30 years, has performed one of the countries largest longitudinal studies on nutritional supplements – specifically Mannatech’s glyconutritionals. Testing blood work and bone density of nearly 7,000 people over the past 12 years, his findings are impressive. In his conclusions, 8 of 10 biomarkers associated with the disabilities of aging are actually reversed on Ambrotose. Further, Dr. Kaats states that there is no competition with Mannatech with regards to (1) efficacy, (2) safety and (3) consistency – the three things one desires in a nutritional supplement product.
I guess in the name of fairness, ABC just didn't have enough time to “squeeze it all in.” The truth of the matter is that this 20/20 piece shows the level of irresponsible journalism that exists in the media today. When you pick up the Star, or the National Enquirer, you sort of figure that things they write about are likely untrue. The sad thing is that shows like 20/20 portray an air of sophistication and lead you to believe they’re “investigative journalists.” Now we can see that they are not reporters, they are entertainers. This is classic “yellow journalism.”
I hope this has helped clear the air about the intent of the 20/20 show. Fortunately, the truth is that we do have technology that is making a serious difference, helping to restore people's lives. Understand that we need not worry about such trivial nonsense from the media - it is to be expected. In fact, I am pleased that we are making such an impact that we are now being noticed, and as the saying goes "we are known by our enemies." And keep in mind, this is now old news and will be forgotten like all the rest of their drivel.
Now, you can see why it’s so important that we educate people about glyconutritionals. Our main objective should be to educate others about the science and benefits of these products. Solid science, verifiable truths, good manufacturing practices, and the wonderful stories from thousands of lives that have been improved through Mannatech’s products, will show people that we truly can offer the answers that people everywhere are seeking for their health.
Sincerely,
Mark
P.S. Mannatech filmed the interview between the ABC reporter and CEO Sam Caster. To see the full 4-part interview, go to: www.YouTube.com and enter “Mannatech” in the search box.