3430-D Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA  23139 ~ 804-598-5352 www.herbalconsultant.com

AUGUST, 2006 NEWS

XYLITOL

A healthy sugar substitute 

     Xylitol (pronounced zī ' li - tôl), a little-known all-natural sweetener, is being added to more and more food products. It not only serves as a sugar substitute, but in contrast to sugar and artificial sweeteners, it actually has positive health benefits. It contains 2.4 calories per gram, which is 40% less than other carbohydrates, and it looks and tastes remarkably like sugar.

      Xylitol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in fruit, berries, vegetables, and mushrooms. It was discovered almost simultaneously by German and French chemists as long ago as the late 19th century. In the Soviet Union it has been used for decades as a sweetener for diabetics, and in Germany it is used in solutions for intravenous feeding. In China, xylitol has been used for various medical purposes.

      When used in a nasal wash, xylitol helps prevent bacteria from adhering to the sinus passagese and helps the body’s natural cleansing processes to clear away harmful bacteria. This can greatly reduce the risk of sinus infection. One study (there have been many) in August 2000 study concludes: “…in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, xylitol sprayed for 4 days into each nostril of normal volunteers significantly decreased the number of nasal coagulase-negative Staphylococcus compared with saline control…Xylitol may be of value [for] enhancing the innate antimicrobial defense at the airway surface (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=17249). 

          Xylitol also prevents tooth decay when chewed in gum form just after eating. When you use xylitol, the acid that would usually attack your teeth for over half an hour after eating is stopped. The number of acid-producing lactobacilli and streptococci may fall as much as 90%. No acid is formed because xylitol prevents the pH of saliva and from falling. After taking xylitol, the bacteria do not absorb well on the surface of the teeth and the amount of plaque decreases.

      Another benefit is the reduction of ear infections in children. An article in Pediatrics for Parents reported that children who chew gum sweetened with xylitol have fewer ear infections than those who don’t (www.drgreene.com/21_837.html and http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0816/is_1_20/ai_89973142).

       Xylitol is perfectly safe for diabetics, children, people on medications, and anyone else to use as a sweetener. This was confirmed by JECFA, a joint expert committee of WHO and FAO, in 1983 and the FDA also confirmed this fact in 1986. In order to result in health benefits, a minimum of 4 grams a day should be consumed. The maximum daily consumption to prevent tooth decay is 15 grams daily. As an example, one piece of gum usually contains one gram of xylitol. Natural food stores carry gum, candy, and nasal washes with xylitol; xylitol in single-use packets; and xylitol in one-pound packages for cooking or baking. It can be substituted in equal measures for sugar and it bakes well.

     With such a versatile and natural sweetener available, there’s no need to ever use the chemically-altered, artificial and often harmful pink, blue and yellow stuff ever again!

 For more info, visit www.xylitol.org.

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XYLITOL PRODUCTS IN STOCK:

Xlear Nasal Wash

Xylitol in 1 pound bags 

Xylitol single packets  

SparX Candy w/Xylitol in 3 flavors

Spry Gum w/Xylitol in 2 flavors