I read a recent article from the Life Extention Foundation concerning
weight loss. The article suggests the use of a special sugar from
standardized avacado extract to stop carbohydrate cravings.  A prior
question about a year ago in Google Answers deals with this same
substance, Mannoheptulose. In that answer suppliers were identified
for the substance in minute quantities at research chemical prices. 
My question is, are there now commercial suppliers of this substance
as a food supplement?  I am not interested in the research chemical
versions.  An acceptable answer will contain the proper contact
information for such a supplier(s).

Mindsponge-ga

Apparently the Life Extension Foundation plans to bring out a
commercial product later this year. Here is a post from the LEF forum,
dated June 17, 2003:

"LEF is bringing out avocado mannoleptulose later this year. The
standard reagent is VERY expensive. Only certain avocados contain
mannoheptulose. It will be very interesting to see not only the weight
reduction, but the dramatic metabolic improvements we've been seeing
in the cholesterol, CRP, insulin levels, and even homocysteine. I
think this will be a very importnat new product in life extensionists'
armamentarium."

Life Extension Foundation Forum
http://forum.lef.org/forum21/topic1004120.html

Thank you pinkfreud-ga. Hopefully LEF or someone else will come out
with it soon. I did see that someone, seemingly affiliated with LEF,
did file a patent application for the use of this substance for weight
loss.  I guess I will wait for LEF unless someone beats them to the
punch.

Mindsponge-ga

LEF will put you on an emailing list if you contact them (at least if
you are a member) and will notify you when the product is available. 
In the meantime, insulin in the blood can be partly neutralized by
taking the amino acid cysteine along with vitamin B1 and vitamin C. It
is VERY IMPORTANT to take 3 times as much vitamin C as cysteine.  The
LEF protocols detail how much under the hypoglycemia protocol, and
these are, I believe, available online.  Also, the Life Extension book
by Pearson and Shaw discuss the proper taking of this combination of
nutrients,  as it requires more care than that reported for
mannoheptulose.  You may also want to look at: 1)the glycemic index of
foods and the glycemic load and 2) the Paleo diet to help control
excess insulin.

Thank you mindmeld-ga.  I am a member of LEF and have the book.  I
will get onto the mailing list for the product and wait for it to
come.  In the meantime, I will read the protocol you suggest.

mindsponge-ga

Synthetic mannoheptulose is available beside avocado extracts. Its
high purity and  readily availability is the reason for synthetic
manufacturing of this sugar. Studies of effects mannoheptulose showed
anti-cancer effect, and its use for diabetes patients (same metabolism
as glucose). This sugar has potential to be used as a food-additive
with beneficial health effects.
To our knowledge synthetic mannoheptulose -- sugars have the same
activity as extracts. There is no evidence that extracted
mannoheptulose shows better activity compared to synthetic one. This
information is based on research facilities purchasing synthetic
mannoheptulose for testing.

Dr. J. Thimm
Glycoteam GmbH 
www.glycoteam.de