Dr. Peter Milgrom, the University of Washington, said xylitol can be more effective than fluoride.
It is because it stops bacteria in the mouth from emitting acid that causes tooth decay and
cavities, and it makes it harder for bacteria to find shelter on the gums and teeth of young
children. [1]
What are the potential health benefits of xylitol?
There has been research showing xylitol may have some dental health benefits, originally in
Finland. Chewing gums and xylitol syrup can be effective protection against tooth decay. [2] A
recent research shows children consuming eight grams of xylitol per day had 1.3 fewer decayed
teeth, compared to children consuming only 2.7 grams per day. [3] Studies have showed that
xylitol gums, toothpastes and candies could help develop fewer dental cavities than those
receiving either placebo or no treatment. Xylitol may prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of
the Streptococcus mutans bacteria. Researchers also found xylitol chewing gums could
effectively reduce the levels of mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva in a study of 91
children, aged 10-12. Xylitol (in chewing gum) may also benefit people at risk of middle ear
infection.
Studies of rats also showed that dietary xylitol supplementation diminished bone resorption, it
also protected rats against ovariectomy-induced increase of bone resorption during
experimental osteoporosis. In rats, 10% xylitol combined with 10% ethanol seems to be effective
in diminishing bone resportion and increasing bone mineral density and content.
Dietary xylitol has also been shown to increase the amounts of newly synthesized collagen, and
to decrease fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction in the skin of both healthy and
diabetic rats. Thus, some people believe xylitol may benefit people at risk of diabetes and
osteoporosis.
What are the side effects of xylitol?
Xylitol appears to be safe. However, overdose of xylitol may cause serious side effects such as
stomach discomfort, diarrhea, oral erosive eczema or even acute renal failure. Infusion of xylitol
may cause renal oxalosis. Oral consumption of a large quantity of xylitol-containing gum was found
to induce severe hypoglycemia, collapse and seizures in a 9-mo-old neutered male Labrador
Retriever. In dogs, xylitol is a strong promoter of insulin release and can cause severe hypoglycemia
with ataxia, collapse and seizures. In humans, xylitol has little to no effect on plasma insulin or
glucose levels
What are the sources for xylitol?
Plums, strawberries, and raspberries are the rich sources of xylitol which has been
demonstrated to have benefits on preventing tooth cavities, plaque formation and ear infection
and helping improve skin and bone conditions in rats.
Reference
[1] Sharise M. Darby Xylitol joining fluoride as cavity fighter The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 21, 2009 [2] Xylitol chewing gum offers route to improved dental health Dental Plans.com
7/28/2009 New health benefits research results on folate, xylitol, and krill oil Sacramento
Nutrition Examiner July 17, 11:21 PM
It is because it stops bacteria in the mouth from emitting acid that causes tooth decay and
cavities, and it makes it harder for bacteria to find shelter on the gums and teeth of young
children. [1]
What are the potential health benefits of xylitol?
There has been research showing xylitol may have some dental health benefits, originally in
Finland. Chewing gums and xylitol syrup can be effective protection against tooth decay. [2] A
recent research shows children consuming eight grams of xylitol per day had 1.3 fewer decayed
teeth, compared to children consuming only 2.7 grams per day. [3] Studies have showed that
xylitol gums, toothpastes and candies could help develop fewer dental cavities than those
receiving either placebo or no treatment. Xylitol may prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of
the Streptococcus mutans bacteria. Researchers also found xylitol chewing gums could
effectively reduce the levels of mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva in a study of 91
children, aged 10-12. Xylitol (in chewing gum) may also benefit people at risk of middle ear
infection.
Studies of rats also showed that dietary xylitol supplementation diminished bone resorption, it
also protected rats against ovariectomy-induced increase of bone resorption during
experimental osteoporosis. In rats, 10% xylitol combined with 10% ethanol seems to be effective
in diminishing bone resportion and increasing bone mineral density and content.
Dietary xylitol has also been shown to increase the amounts of newly synthesized collagen, and
to decrease fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction in the skin of both healthy and
diabetic rats. Thus, some people believe xylitol may benefit people at risk of diabetes and
osteoporosis.
What are the side effects of xylitol?
Xylitol appears to be safe. However, overdose of xylitol may cause serious side effects such as
stomach discomfort, diarrhea, oral erosive eczema or even acute renal failure. Infusion of xylitol
may cause renal oxalosis. Oral consumption of a large quantity of xylitol-containing gum was found
to induce severe hypoglycemia, collapse and seizures in a 9-mo-old neutered male Labrador
Retriever. In dogs, xylitol is a strong promoter of insulin release and can cause severe hypoglycemia
with ataxia, collapse and seizures. In humans, xylitol has little to no effect on plasma insulin or
glucose levels
What are the sources for xylitol?
Plums, strawberries, and raspberries are the rich sources of xylitol which has been
demonstrated to have benefits on preventing tooth cavities, plaque formation and ear infection
and helping improve skin and bone conditions in rats.
Reference
[1] Sharise M. Darby Xylitol joining fluoride as cavity fighter The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 21, 2009 [2] Xylitol chewing gum offers route to improved dental health Dental Plans.com
7/28/2009 New health benefits research results on folate, xylitol, and krill oil Sacramento
Nutrition Examiner July 17, 11:21 PM
Health Benefits and Side effects of Xylitol
Scibean August 07, 2009
Scibean August 07, 2009
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"Victoria crater" Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell SPACE
This article is for your reference only. Reasonable effect has been used in preparing this article, but
no guarantee for 100% accuracy. Please consult with your doctor for any medical advise. Do not copy
nor transfer the content to other websites or blog. All rights reserved. 2009
no guarantee for 100% accuracy. Please consult with your doctor for any medical advise. Do not copy
nor transfer the content to other websites or blog. All rights reserved. 2009
 | |  | |  |