Interconversion of Glucose & Galactose Into the Other Big 8 Sugars

• Glucose and Galactose are readily available in our diets.
• The other six sugars (xylose, mannose, fucose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-actylgalactosamine & N-acetylneurinimic acid) are not readily available in our modern diet.
• The interconversion of glucose & galactose into the other 6 sugars requires from 9 to 36 enzymatic reactions. This requires a lot of ATP for energy.
• Perhaps this is why we are a tired society!!