A natural sugar with profound effects on the glycolysis pathways. PW2606 has been shown to stimulate appetite in a number of species. Primary metabolic effects include competitive inhibition of the phosphohexoisomerase step of glycolysis causing depression of intracellular glucose utilization. Resultant in vivo effects include depression of somatostatin concentration in the blood; release of growth hormone into the blood; increases circulating glucose and fatty acids. The stimulation of appetite of certain livestock can be very useful. Some young animals benefit from stimulation of their appetite so that long tem performance can be assured.