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helps keep salivary minerals in a useful form. Prolonged xylitol two years result in significant impairment in reading ability up to use increases the buffering capacity and protective factors in the age of nine.” Another study followed children longer and saliva. Increased saliva production is especially important for showed significant learning and social problems extending up to people suffering with a dry mouth due to illness, ageing or drug age eighteen.* side-effects. One of xylitol's versatile benefits is its ability to inhibit the Since the oral environment becomes less acidic with continued — growth of bacteria that cause middle ear infections in young xylitol use, it is advisable to chew xylitol gum or suck a xylitol children. In two recent studies involving over 1,000 children, mint after every meal or after eating sweet snacks. The best news xylitol-flavoured chewing gum was found to reduce the incidence is that studies have shown that xylitol's effect is long-lasting and of middle ear infections by 40 per cent, significantly decreasing possibly even permanent. ongoing middle ear complications and the need for antibiotics. Xylitol has recently received positive support in the Journal of Regularly washing the nose with a spray containing xylitol the American Dental Association. "Xylitol is an effective preven- decreases the number of harmful bacteria and stimulates normal tive agent against dental caries... Consumption of xylitol-con- defensive washing of this area. A clean nose reduces problems taining chewing gum has been demonstrated to reduce caries in with allergies and asthma that originate from nasal irritants and Finnish teenagers by 30-60 per cent. Studies conducted in pollutants. Current research shows how bacteria attach to cells in Canada, Thailand, Polynesia and Belize have shown similar the body, causing infection. Some sugars like xylitol are known results..." A study conducted at Harvard School of Dental to be able to interfere with this binding, blocking the attachment Medicine concluded that "xylitol can significantly decrease the of the major infection-causing bacteria that live in the nose. Dr incidence of dental caries".* Lon Jones, a physician in Plainsview, Texas, reported that the use Another unexpected benefit came from a Finnish study which __ of a xylitol nasal spray in his practice prevented 93 per cent of ear showed that children whose teeth are infections and resulted in comparable colonised between 19 and 31 months of reductions in sinus infections, allergies age by Streptococcus mutans bacteria and asthma.’ are more likely to have a large number Xylitol has been shown to be effec- eT . of cavities. Most children acquire this One of xylitol s versatile tive in inhibiting Candida albicans, a bacteria from their mother's saliva | Qenefits is its ability to inhibit serious systemic yeast problem, and through food tasting, sharing cups and other harmful gut bacteria including H. kissing. The study showed a dramatic the growth of bacteria that pylori, implicated in periodontal dis- 70 per cont Feduetion in tooth decay cause middle ear infections ease, bad breath, gastric and duodenal among children whose mothers chewet 4 A ulcers and even stomach cancer. xylitol gum.° In young children. Xylitol, however, isn't just for the Xylitol and Osteoporosis young. In a paper published in the Another exciting benefit from xylitol Journal of the American Geriatrics is its role in reversing bone loss. Society, researchers tested 111 adults Studies in Finland found that xylitol aged 60 and older over a 12-month period. All were frail but maintained bone density in rats that had their ovaries removed. healthy adults. In the study, one group of volunteers chewed no — Without ovaries, oestrogen levels plummeted and so did the bone gum, a second chewed gum containing xylitol, and a third group density in rats that were not given xylitol. However, in the rats chewed gum containing both xylitol and an antimicrobial. In the that had ovaries removed and were given xylitol, bone density two groups receiving gum, the participants chewed two pieces for actually increased." Another study showed that xylitol was effec- 15 minutes, two times per day. At the end of the study, the tive in decreasing age-related bone loss in older male rats by 10 researchers reported that the group who received xylitol gum had _ per cent." substantially lowered their risk of developing thrush, a fungal or In an unprecedented action, the Finnish researchers made bold yeast infection that can cause mouth soreness. (The group who recommendations for human application of their studies. They received xylitol plus the antimicrobial had equal benefits.) It had suggested that an effective human dose would be about 40 grams also reduced their risk of developing angular cheilitis, a condition daily. The scientists speculated that xylitol's bone density enhanc- in which sores develop in the corners of the mouth. The ing properties are due to its ability to promote intestinal absorp- researchers noted that xylitol gum can provide a "real clinical tion of calcium. Including xylitol in one's diet is certainly an benefit" to frail, elderly people.‘ enjoyable way to reap the benefits of greater bone density, along with other health benefits. One of xylitol's versatile benefits is its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria that aA nen Pan | a ae en =P Xylitol and Ear, Nose and Throat Infections Recurring middle ear infections pose a great health threat to children. Tubes are often inserted into the ear drum in children with these recurring infections to reduce the fluid that is attempt- ing to wash out the infection from the middle ear. While this pro- cedure sometimes helps to reduce the frequency of infections, it is also designed to help with hearing. Language, a critical part of learning, is built by auditory input during the first two years of life—the same period when ear infec- tions are most common. If this input is dampened by infection or fluid in the middle ear during this important period, it can cause learning problems. One researcher demonstrated that even when properly treated, recurrent middle ear infections during the first Xylitol and Insulin Resistance, Diabetes Hypertension and Hormonal Imbalances Consuming sugar and other refined carbohydrates results in the rapid release of glucose, or blood sugar. In response, the pancreas secretes insulin to usher glucose into the cells, where it is burned for energy. Excess glucose stresses the system, and over time the cells become less responsive to insulin. This condition, known as insulin resistance, is a huge health problem and it is estimated to affect half the American population. Insulin resistance is associ- ated with abnormalities in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, hypertension, increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. The dramatic rise in type-2 diabetes since the mid-1900s NEXUS * 29 cause middle ear infections in young children. DECEMBER 2002 — JANUARY 2003 www.nexusmagazine.com