4 Ways Trehalose Powder May Benefit Your Health

by James Denlinger Digital Marketing Strategist

Trehalose powder comes from a sugar compound found in various bacteria, fungi and plants, as it is the source of energy and moisture for cellular membranes. People often use its powdered form as a sweetener. The compound has natural antioxidant properties that can help fight oxidative stress in the body that causes damage and disease. Research also states that trehalose powder may reduce the risk of liver damage and prevent spikes in blood sugar. Some studies also suggest that trehalose might be able to support cognitive function and help keep the body hydrated.

There is no specific evidence that proves that trehalose can completely cure, treat or prevent any disease or medical conditions, but studies do suggest that the compound has properties that may aid some of the body’s natural functions. If you’ve been looking for a more natural way to sweeten your food and promote your overall health, trehalose may be the right supplement for you.

What is Trehalose?

Trehalose is a natural sugar compound in plants, made up of two glucose molecules. It is also called “mycose” or “trelamose”. Studies have suggested that trehalose may be one of the most effective sugars in protecting cellular membranes and helping them retain moisture. Trehalose is also a main source of energy for some bacteria, fungi, plants and invertebrates. Humans use it as a sweetener. Researchers have studied trehalose in a number of clinical trials and are still investigating its potential abilities for the human body, including cognitive health, hydration and inflammation.

What Foods is Trehalose Found in?

Before you look into adding trehalose supplements to your everyday health regime, there are the food sources of trehalose. It’s found naturally in a variety of foods and may have antioxidant properties that can promote a healthy immune system. Trehalose is naturally in the following foods:

Shrimp, lobster, sea algae
Honey
Sunflower seeds
Wine, beer
Bread & other forms of yeast

What is Trehalose Powder Used for?

Trehalose is used as a sweetener to flavor food and beverages. In addition to its flavor, using it as a dietary supplement may provide a number of potential health benefits including its potential ability to:

Induce autophagy
Support cognitive function
Protect the skin and eyes
Fight free radicals
Help the body retain water for hydration

However, there is no specific evidence proving that trehalose can cure, treat or prevent any disease or medical condition. Researchers still need to conduct more studies to fully understand its potential benefits on the body. Make sure to consult a doctor before adding trehalose powder to your everyday health regimen.

For more information on trehalose and how it works, we reached out to Will Cartwright, co-founder of SMP Nutra, a supplement-manufacturing facility. Here’s what he had to say.

Inducing Autophagy

Trehalose helps induce a process called autophagy. According to Cartwright, it’s “the natural process the body undertakes to recycle out old cells that are unnecessary or dysfunctional.” It is a defense mechanism, protecting the body from damage and disease, aging and infections. Studies show that autophagy helps the body fight disease through cellular self digestion. Any dysfunction in this process can cause complications such as cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic diseases.

According to research, trehalose may function as a target to induce autophagy and protein expression. One study concluded that trehalose may help address chronic diseases that involve oxidative stress and dysfunctions in autophagy because of its antioxidant properties.

Combating Oxidative Stress & Inflammation

Trehalose sugar naturally helps protect mitochondria and promotes autophagy in blood vessels. It has natural antioxidant properties that help protect the body from disease and as a dietary supplement, it may produce similar effects. Trehalose may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. It may also reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, insulin resistance and diabetes, as well as signs of aging. More specifically, Cartwright states that it may be able to “reduce stress-induced inflammation in the cornea along with playing a role in reversing arterial wall inflammation.”

Supporting Cognitive Function

When it is healthy, the human brain can typically rid itself of cellular waste using autophagy. When the brain can’t remove this waste, it causes a buildup which may lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Remember that trehalose plays a natural role in inducing autophagy, which can help remove the buildup of waste and it has natural “neuroprotective properties” that may prevent neurodegenerative damage and support cognitive function.

Additionally, the sugar can naturally stabilize proteins in the brain to help them maintain their structure, reducing protein mutation and inflammation. This is an extremely important step in preventing neurodegenerative brain diseases. If there are proteins in the brain that are already damaged, trehalose may help prevent them from clumping together and forming plaque that could cause damage.

Hydrating the Skin & Eyes

Autophagy is also important in protecting skin tissue and it’s essential to protect the skin from UV damage from the sun. As a result, sometimes you can find trehalose as an ingredient in sunscreen and cosmetic products. According to Cartwright, “It has properties to boost the formation of the natural moisturizing factors in the skin’s epidermis, to maintain hydration. Essentially, it helps protect skin from dehydration under dry conditions.” Studies state that trehalose also acts as a natural pretin stabilizer and reduces UVB-induced corneal damage as a topical applied to the eyes, which may help with dry eye syndrome.

As a dietary supplement, trehalose is not intended to cure, treat or prevent any disease, illness or health condition on its own. It simply aims to mimic its natural properties and support the body’s natural functions. Consult a doctor before taking trehalose or any other dietary supplement.

Possible Side Effects of Trehalose Powder

While there are many possible benefits of taking trehalose as a dietary supplement, there are also a few reported side effects. The FDA generally recognizes the supplement as safe, but different individuals may react differently to it. Be sure to consult a doctor before you begin taking this supplement to potentially avoid side effects:

Trehalase Deficiency

Some people may have trehalase deficiency, meaning they lack the enzyme trehalase and the body cannot convert trehalose into glucose. Symptoms are similar to irritable bowel syndrome—bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and gas.

C. Difficile Outbreaks

Avoid taking trehalose powder if you suffer from gut infections. It may cause outbreaks of a bacterium called C. difficile, which can lead to severe diarrhea and inflammation in the colon, which may be life-threatening. Most of the time, people develop it when they take antibiotics. Other risk factors include age (65 or older), hospitalization, weak immune systems and previous infection or exposure to the bacteria.

There is a study that suggests that C. difficile may be able to to acquire unique mechanisms to metabolize trehalose, which in turn causes the infection to expand and increase. The infection has become increasingly severe over the past few years. Researchers are working to bring awareness to the infection and its effects to try and prevent outbreaks in the future.

Dosage for Trehalose Powder

As a sweetener, the recommended dosage for pure trehalose powder is 5,000 mg per serving to add flavor to food or beverages. Make sure to consult a doctor before taking this supplement. Too much of it may cause gastrointestinal issues.

Where to Buy Trehalose Powder

You can purchase pure trehalose powder at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.

Are you interested in trying trehalose powder as a dietary supplement to potentially increase antioxidants, combat oxidative stress, support cognitive function and provide hydration to the skin and eyes? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.

Bottom Line

Trehalose is a sugar compound found in several bacteria, fungi and plants. It is the source of energy and moisture for cellular membranes, but humans usually use it as a healthy alternative to table sugar. Trehalose powder may have a number of benefits, including the potential to support cognitive function, reduce oxidative stress with its antioxidant properties, hydrate the skin and eyes and provide protection from the sun. One of its most important mechanisms is inducing autophagy, a process the body uses to get rid of damaged or unnecessary cells that may cause disease.

While trehalose may have its benefits, it can also cause side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues. Some people may experience an intolerance to it because of a trehalase deficiency, which prevents the body from metabolizing trehalose. There is also research that associates it to a bacterium called C. diff, which causes severe digestive symptoms.

Overall, trehalose has been deemed safe overall by the FDA, but it is still important to speak with your physician to make sure this supplement is the right one for you.