D-Mannose

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Carubinose, D-Manosa, Mannose, Seminose.

Overview

D-mannose is a kind of sugar that is related to glucose.

D-mannose is used for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and treating carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, an inherited metabolic disorder.

How does it work?

D-mannose might treat the deficiency caused by a genetic defect that causes abnormal breakdown and production of mannose. D-mannose might prevent certain kinds of bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Treating a rare inherited disorder called carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1b. Some reports suggest that taking D-mannose supplements improves protein loss, liver function, low blood sugar, and blood clotting disorders in people with this condition.
  • Preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of D-mannose for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

D-mannose appears to be safe for most adults. It can cause loose stools and bloating. In high doses, it might harm the kidneys.

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Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of D-mannose during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Some research suggests that D-mannose might make blood sugar control more difficult in people with diabetes.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of D-mannose 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 d-mannose. 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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References

Alton G, Hasilik M, Niehues R, et al. Direct utilization of mannose for mammalian glycoprotein biosynthesis. Glycobiology 1998;8:285-95. View abstract.

Davis JA, Freeze HH. Studies of mannose metabolism and effects of long-term mannose ingestion in the mouse. Biochim Biophys Acta 2001;1528:116-26. View abstract.

de Lonlay P, Cuer M, Vuillaumier-Barrot S, et al. Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia as a presenting sign in phosphomannose isomerase deficiency: A new manifestation of carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome treatable with mannose. J Pediatr 1999;135:379-83. View abstract.

Freinkel N, Lewis NJ, Akazawa S, et al. The honeybee syndrome - implications of the teratogenicity of mannose in rat-embryo culture. N Engl J Med 1984;310:223-30. View abstract.

Hendriksz CJ, McClean P, Henderson MJ, et al. Successful treatment of carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1b with oral mannose. Arch Dis Child 2001;85:339-40. View abstract.

Michaels EK, Chmiel JS, Plotkin BJ, Schaeffer AJ. Effect of D-mannose and D-glucose on Escherichia coli bacteriuria in rats. Urol Res 1983;11:97-102 . View abstract.

Niehues R, Hasilik M, Alton G, et al. Carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome type Ib. Phosphomannose isomerase deficiency and mannose therapy. J Clin Invest 1998;101:1414-20. View abstract.

Ofek I, Goldhar J, Eshdat Y, Sharon N. The importance of mannose specific adhesins (lectins) in infections caused by Escherichia coli. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl 1982;33:61-7.

Ofek I, Mosek A, Sharon N. Mannose-specific adherence of Escherichia coli freshly excreted in the urine of patients with urinary tract infections, and of isolates subcultured from the infected urine. Infect Immun 1981;34:708-11. View abstract.

Schaeffer AJ, Chmiel JS, Duncan JL, Falkowski WS. Mannose-sensitive adherence of Escherichia coli to epithelial cells from women with recurrent urinary tract infections. J Urol 1984;131:906-10. View abstract.

Venegas MF, Navas EL, Gaffney RA, et al. Binding of type 1-piliated Escherichia coli to vaginal mucus. Infect Immun 1995;63:416-22. View abstract.

Westphal V, Kjaergaard S, Davis JA, et al. Genetic and metabolic analysis of the first adult with congenital disorder of glycosylation type Ib: long-term outcome and effects of mannose supplementation. Mol Genet Metab 2001;73:77-85. View abstract.