Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #30 on: July 20, 2007, 02:09:07 AM » by its_me518

Hi. I see that I'm not the only one wondering this... Is xylitol safe? I've read much good stuff about it, but have also heard an alarming few. My brother in law works for a company that produces many products with xylitol... toothpaste, mouthwash, mints.... and many more... and he told me that his company actually hired someone to do a study on xylitol and that study showed that xylitol actually causes cancer in rats.... so now what? Doesn't it usually mean if rats got sick, humans are gonna get sick? What do you all think?

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #31 on: July 20, 2007, 10:10:19 AM » by its_me518

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #32 on: July 20, 2007, 01:37:41 PM » by skelliott2

Wow, thanks for the info. I had heard that it was completely safe, and the only problem from it can be digestive issues Embarrassed

. I would be interested in this as well.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #33 on: July 20, 2007, 02:19:10 PM » by StephTallent

Quote from: its_me518 on July 20, 2007, 02:09:07 AM

My brother in law works for a company that produces many products with xylitol... toothpaste, mouthwash, mints.... and many more... and he told me that his company actually hired someone to do a study on xylitol and that study showed that xylitol actually causes cancer in rats.... so now what? Doesn't it usually mean if rats got sick, humans are gonna get sick? What do you all think?

Do you think your BIL could provide you the information as to who did the study, and what the specifications of the study were? We have not been able to find *any* information thus far that have indicated any problems with Xylitol (aside from the potential digestive upset) so would appreciate having the information to be able to read and evaluate the results from this study.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #34 on: July 31, 2007, 05:43:14 PM » by its_me518

Quote from: StephTallent on July 20, 2007, 02:19:10 PM

Quote from: its_me518 on July 20, 2007, 02:09:07 AM

He sent me the link, but I deleted it. I'll try to get it from him again...

« Last Edit: December 26, 2007, 10:38:09 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #35 on: July 31, 2007, 07:57:49 PM » by TheGoLemons

We only use it for a sinus rinse. It works wonders for that. You do swallow a little when you use it though. Gives my DH a tummy ache if I use it in our food.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #36 on: November 17, 2007, 04:45:12 PM » by beppyjo

I realize this is an old thread but I just recently heard about Xylitiol and am curious.......... I read the link on post #18 from the weston price foundation which cautions against xylitol and the article in the Beeyoutiful magazine that just came with my order, which recommends xylitol, and am confused Huh

. Would you say that xylitol in small amounts is o.k., you just don't want to use it as your main sweetner? or ?? Thanks!

B

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #37 on: December 24, 2007, 04:06:05 PM » by Siege

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #38 on: December 25, 2007, 03:43:05 PM » by natural

I use it all the time and would like to hear more about this too...

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #39 on: December 25, 2007, 05:14:16 PM » by Mrs. B

Quote from: beppyjo on November 17, 2007, 04:45:12 PM

. Would you say that xylitol in small amounts is o.k., you just don't want to use it as your main sweetner? or ?? Thanks!

B

I'm definitely no expert, but I do know that xylitol is used medicinally as a laxative. I haven't given it as such in many years, but remember it mainly being used in the elderly in nursing homes.
I don't know that I would want to use it as a primary sweetener, but occasional use might be okay.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #40 on: December 26, 2007, 12:49:25 PM » by StephTallent

Here is the article on Xylitol that appeared in the Beeyoutiful Catalog this Summer for those of you that didn't get a chance to read it there! Grin

Everybody needs to evaluate the available information for themselves and make an informed decision for themselves and their own family. For me personally the benefits far out weigh the risks especially for my children's dental health. We do not use it as a substitute sweetener in our daily foods/drinks etc but our goal is to get the 4 to 12 grams a day that Nancy mentions in the article below. That is a relatively small amount if you think of how much sugar or other alternative sweeteners (Honey, Maple syrup, Stevia etc) many of us consume on a daily basis!

Quote from: Nancy Brillault for Beeyoutiful.com

Xylitol

From the time we are young children, we are taught to brush our teeth, planting the seeds for good dental hygiene. Good brushing and flossing and restricted sugar consumption can reduce the occurrence of cavities, yet they still remain common.

A National Institute of Health survery shows nearly 20% of children, ages 2-4, have already experience cavities; more than 67% of adults aged 35-44 have lost at least one permanent tooth due to detal cavities, and 25% of people 65-74 have lost all of their natural teeth!

Here's what is going on. Tooth decay is a bacterial disease. The bacterium, streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), is one of the many millions of bacteria living in our mouths. Most of these bacteria are harmless, some even beneficial. However, S.mutans is the culprit causing tooth decay by feeding on sugars in our mouth. Simple carohydrates are fermented by S. mutans into lactic acid. Lactic acid increases acidity in the mouth, initiating the process of dissolving tooth enamel, also referred to as demineralization.

This is a simplistic explanation of rooth decay; however, this article is not meant to be a chemistry lesson, but rather an introduction to a wonderful sugar substitute called Xylitol.

What is Xylitol you ask? Xylitol is a natural sugar. Sometimes called wood sugar or birch sugar, it can be extracted from birch wood, raspberries, plums and other fruits, corn seed hulls, and nut-shells. Xylitol is a 5-carbon structure and, unlike the 6 carvon structure of sucrose, is not a substance on which bacteria can grow. In fact, Xylitol may inhibit S mutans and other bacterial enzymes and actually interfere with the metabolism of other sugars found in the mouth.

So what does all this chemistry babble mean to us in terms of our dental hygiene and general health?
Xylitol is actually a “tooth-friendly” sugar substitute. Xylitol not only discourages tooth decay, but may actively help repair small cavities. Recent research suggests Xylitol attracts and then starves harmful bacteria, allowing remineralization of damaged teeth. Xylitol is not a sugar, so there is no sugar rush, or crash.

Twenty-five years of scientific research, mostly on children, has shown that regular use of Xylitol over a period of time reduces the incidence of cavities. There are many studies, the majority conducted in “developing” countries llike Belize, Hungary, and Costa Rica, where routine dental care is limited at best, and the results are consistent; the incidence of dental cavities is reduced by large percentages, in some cases as much as 75%.

Most research tested gums and candies (mints) containing Xylitol since the delivery systems that produced the best anti-cavity results were those permitting direct contact with the teeth for the longest time. Xylitol is also available in toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewable supplements and breath sprays.

How much should we use? Studies show using 4-12 grams per day is most effective. If a piece of gum contains 1 gram chew a minimum of four pieces per day. Given the safety of this product this is one case where “more is better.”

Remarkably, it appears that regular use of Xylitol for a period of time (2 years in the study of children in Belize), provides lasting protection against cavities. These children were examined five years later and the Xylitol group had an average of only 1.5 new cavities, compared to the 4 new cavities in the control group. Another study indicated that regular intake of Xylitol by mom while baby is in the womb, provides lifelong protection for baby.

New clinical evidence appears regularly about this safer sugar substitute. Other benefits include prevention of childhood ear infections, lower risk of Type II Diabetes due to the slower absorption of this sugar into the blood, and reduction of subsequent insulin response. A Finnish study has shown improved bone density.

Children who begin chewing Xylitol gum about a year before their permanent teeth erupt may avoid a lifetime of painful visits to the dentist. In fact, one dentist was reported as saying that regular use of Xylitol in the American diet, could put dentists out of business.

--Nancy Brillault is a clinically cerified herbalist, certified aromatherapist and practicing wellness consultant in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #41 on: January 07, 2008, 10:38:25 PM » by jry

Where is the xylitol in the SuperKids from? I don't want to be feeding my family anything from China!

jry

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #42 on: January 31, 2008, 11:14:43 AM » by Roehrmomma

Can you use xylitol to replace all sugar? Should you?

Em

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #43 on: January 31, 2008, 11:40:50 AM » by Siege

Quote from: Roehrmomma on January 31, 2008, 11:14:43 AM

Can you use xylitol to replace all sugar? Should you?

Em

I have. They say not to use it in drinks, but this person came over and brought Kool-Aid (YUCK!) and was so ecited that she could add to our meal. Well, I was NOT feeding my kids sugar-hyped Kool-Aid! So, I made 2 batches (she brought 2 packages) and put the xylitol in the one with no dyes (it was cherry, but was clear lke water when made). I gave that to my kids and the sugar stuff to hers ( Wink

). The reason they say it should not be used in drinks is because you need to get used to the amount you use, or you will be running to the bathroom with the runs. Since I use it ALL the time, my kids did not get the runs. One of theirs did because he would not listen to me and drank the Kool-Aid I made with the xylitol. You need a lot to sweeten drinks. We built up to the amount we use...one piece of 100% xylitol gum one day, 2 the next, 3 the next, 4, then a spoonful in tea, then 2 spoonfuls in tea, then 2 cups of tea a day, then some in homemade bread, then a cake, etc.

CJ

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #44 on: January 31, 2008, 11:46:25 AM » by Roehrmomma

Quote from: Siege on January 31, 2008, 11:40:50 AM

Quote from: Roehrmomma on January 31, 2008, 11:14:43 AM

Can you use xylitol to replace all sugar? Should you?

Em

then some in homemade bread,
CJ

Do you know a site to help me learn about this? Will it raise homemade bread?

Em

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #45 on: January 31, 2008, 03:13:42 PM » by Siege

There is a cookbook out there that emeralforest sells, as do a lot of other sites. Here is one site that I found, though some of the things on it are different then other research I have done. One thing I found interesting is that you cannot make hard candy with it, as it does not crystalize. That bummed me out.

http://www.xylitol.org/

http://www.xlear.com/xylitol/faq.aspx

http://xylitol-facts.blogspot.com/

I got an interesting pamphlet with my order from Emerald Forest. I found the above sites while doing a quick search for "xylitol"

CJ

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #46 on: January 31, 2008, 03:30:44 PM » by wyomama3

One of our favorite ways to get some Xylitol is to do cinnamon toast. We sprinkle it on like sugar and add fresh cinnamon (BHStore) on top. Yum. At first we had it in oatmeal and on toast. Our intestines had a few discussions with us until we, duh, realized to build up our tolerance.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #47 on: July 09, 2008, 09:58:08 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Here are two really interesting resources on Xylitol that I found:
A paper by a group of dentists on Xylitol, which includes charts of how much Xylitol is found in gums and other foods/sources. http://www.first5oralhealth.org/downloads/0/1631/Ly-28-2.pdf

Dr. Ellie is a dentist with 35+ years of experience. She has observed and developed a plan for preventative dental care which includes Xylitol, along with a regime of common mouthwashes for removing the bacterias that destroy teeth and gums. Here is a link to her blog that talks about her credentials:
http://askdrellie.blogspot.com/2007/12/qualifications-background.html
and the links to her two other sites are at the bottom. The clean white teeth site outlines the program. I like it that she offers her expertise and information for free. She has her own online store of products at Xellies.com
Read a review of Xellies mints and learn more at www.tammysrecipes.com/node/2822 (This is where I found the info...thanks Tammy!)

The first link at the top also shows the sweetness levels of common sweetners. Xylitol and sugar are equally sweet, so I would think they would substitute the same in recipes. Xylitol will not carmelize like sugar does, so it may not work in all recipes. Also, as noted by so many others, it takes a while for your body to adjust to Xylitol, so use it sparingly at first.

Hope this helps!
Gwen

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #48 on: September 21, 2008, 04:31:04 PM » by Mama Sita

XYLITOL WARNING FOR DOGS
Do not feed anything containing xylitol to your dog or any other pet. While xylitol is healthy and safe for humans, it is metabolized differently in canines, causing a potentially fatal drop in blood sugar. It is also toxic to the canine liver. No matter how much Baxter begs, do not hand-feed treats with xylitol to him, and store goodies out of his reach.

I found the above warning on the Swanson website. Just thought I'd pass this along--I had no idea xylitol was toxic to dogs and other pets.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #49 on: January 02, 2009, 09:15:46 AM » by healthyinOhio

I am a little leery of xylitol, myself. It seems to be okay as a natural sweetener for mouth care(toothpaste or rinses, etc). But I don't think I want to use it internally. According to the book: Eat Carbs, Lose Weight, the Harvard researcher says that xylitol(along with other "alcohol sugars") contain empty calories, as would refined sugar, and increases your insulin level. It also can promote bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
I didn't like using it for myself because of the excess gas my body was producing. Tongue

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #50 on: February 20, 2009, 03:47:58 PM » by mdessy

I was just researching this for a client and discovered that because xylitol intereferes with yeast micro-organisms it is not recommended for use in baking yeast based goods.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #51 on: July 29, 2009, 10:08:34 AM » by luvbnamommy2

Quote from: diaperswyper on August 29, 2006, 01:22:26 PM

My question is this. Is chewing gum bad for you? Can it cause cavities? I'm not talking about bubble gum, i'm talking about Orbit, wrigley's and gum like that. I've gotten a lot of cavities in the last couple yrs. and i'm starting to wonder if my gum chewing habit is the culprit. Any one know?

Not if the first ingredient and only sweetener is Xylitol. Actually if you research it chewing gum opens up the tubes in your ears, and if its Xylitol gum it helps prevent cavities and remineralizes already existing cavities if they're small, stops cavities if they're large.

I began using Xylitol products, gum and candy included after my 18 old son was diagnosed with extreme severe ECC. We, my mom and I, began using Xylitol on him along with tons of prayer. His dentist wanted to do 4 extractions, 2 root canals and 16 fillings; but they couldn't get an operating room for a year so mom and I began brushing, wiping, spraying, etc. his mouth and teeth with Xylitol and at 4 yrs he is cavity free.

All told he had 1 tooth extracted [he fell, broke the root and it abscessed] and 1 tooth filled; it didn't cost much more than $200 - from an original cost of $3400!!

Anyway, I too am cavity free, first time in years.

Start less, too much to begin with can cause tummy upsets and/or diarrhea. It didn't for me, or my daughter, but it did for my son.

I use Epic toothpaste fluoride-free and rinse. Cost effective, my mom buys XyloSweet crystals and adds them to my son's toothpaste and makes a rinse 1 tsp [= 4 grams] to 2 TBSP water, rinse in mouth and spit out. DO NOT RINSE WITH PLAIN WATER.

Use especially just before going to bed. Grin

Hope this helps!!

AND don't let pets get any, it can be toxic.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #52 on: July 29, 2009, 10:42:13 AM » by mykidsmom

We have been using xylitol toothpaste and gum for over a year now with great success. I have one dd prone to cavities and when we started with Xyliwhite from NOW (very cheap and good) she's had not a single cavity since and she was getting one or two new ones every six months. My youngest dd has a small cavity on a back tooth but she wouldn't let the dentist touch it. We decided to watch and wait and she goes to the dentist in a few weeks. I will report back with the results of that cavity. I actually expect it to have shrunk. It wasn't huge to begin with, but I'm thinking it will be almost gone. We actually went to taking our kids to the dentist once a year because we decided the xylitol works so well, what's the point in taking them?

I absolutely recommend the xylitol. Beka recommended the xyliwhite toothpaste a LONG time ago and it really is good. We get it at luckyvitamin.com.

patti

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #53 on: July 29, 2009, 10:55:55 AM » by DHW

I have read that Xlear nasal spray (xylitol in a saline solution) used over a period of time can have the effect of lessening symptoms of IBS. That would be a tiny amount of xylitol finding its way into the stomach and intestines, but apparently it helps wash out bad bacteria and feed the good bacteria in the GI tract just like it does in the respiratory tract.

Direct, prolonged contact with teeth is needed to reverse dental decay. That is why gum and lozenges are so effective. Has anyone tried using a tray (like those used for tooth whitening) filled with xylitol gel? Just a thought...

Also, it makes sense to me to add Xlear nasal spray to the dental regimen to make sure the good bacteria get the upper hand. (The respiratory system is closely linked to the oral cavity.) Bedtime would be a good time to administer the Xlear.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #54 on: July 29, 2009, 03:23:04 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: healthyinOhio on January 02, 2009, 09:15:46 AM

It also can promote bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
I didn't like using it for myself because of the excess gas my body was producing. Tongue

This is a common side affect of using too much Xylitol at first...since it kills off bacteria, it can cause a die-off and diarhea. I know this because my baby ate half a tin of xylitol mints out of my purse. It wasn't pretty!

But if you get your tummy used to it a little at a time, it shouldn't cause intestinal problems at all.
I wouldn't use it exclusively as a sweetner, as it's too pricey, but it's a good solution to sweeten your coffee and such.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #55 on: February 10, 2010, 03:26:53 PM » by mauimom

Quote from: mykidsmom on July 29, 2009, 10:42:13 AM

Patti, what ever happened with your dd's cavity? Did the xylitol do the trick?

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #56 on: February 10, 2010, 05:02:24 PM » by mykidsmom

Quote from: mauimom on February 10, 2010, 03:26:53 PM

Quote from: mykidsmom on July 29, 2009, 10:42:13 AM

Patti, what ever happened with your dd's cavity? Did the xylitol do the trick?

Ah! Forgot to report back didn't I? Undecided

Both DD's had a small cavity that we were specifically using the xylitol on. Neither cavity grew and had not gone any deeper. One of them is on a baby tooth so I'm trying to hold out until that tooth falls out. The other is on my older dd and she has not had any others since starting the xylitol toothpaste. I do let my kids chew xylitol gum pretty much at will during the day in the hopes that it will keep these two in check. For awhile I was really diligent in putting a liquid xylitol directly on their cavities but I didn't do that for long so I can't really say if that works. Me bad. Embarrassed

But in general, I think it works well for, at the bare minimum, holding things in check.

patti

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #57 on: February 11, 2010, 11:12:21 AM » by healthybratt

I just thought I'd put a teaser out there. I've been chatting with a friend who is researching xylitol. i've always been on the fence about it because it's not truly natural (and the whole diarrhea thing Roll Eyes

). anyway, in case anyone wants to comment or do further research

Very high doses of xylitol given by IV have been reported to cause high uric acid levels in the blood, changes in liver function tests, and high acid levels in the blood.

if you want to find more just google (or bing Grin

) 'xylitol uric acid'

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #58 on: February 15, 2010, 11:55:52 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: mauimom on February 11, 2010, 12:42:05 PM

Now five months after moving back to the mainland we have kids with 3, 4 ,and even 5 cavities PER mouth!!

this discussion has been split and moved here.

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,26480.0.html

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #59 on: February 15, 2010, 10:18:04 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: healthybratt on February 11, 2010, 11:12:21 AM

) 'xylitol uric acid'

OK...but I'm wondering why anyone would consider it a good idea to give high doses of anything like this (food, herbal or otherwise) directly into the bloodstream. Of course that would stress the liver...and I'd guess the kidneys as well. They'd be working overtime to clean all that mess out of the blood. The body is made to filter/absorb through the digestive system. IV is sort of going through the 'back door' and asking the body to do something that it's not designed to do. And the diarrhea thing is a major preventative for overdosing on Xylitol orally...sorta like magnesium and vitamin C...you get the automatic 'cleanse' if you take too much.

I was recently reading about magnesium via external sources (which would introduce it directly into the bloodstream), and found that the body works very hard to limit the percentage of magnesium that is circulating in the bloodstream to about 1% (of the total amount you have in your body). So I would not be comfortable messing around with the blood levels of minerals, much less foods/herbals unless I had a very good reason to and/or there is historic support for doing so safely.

Wondering outloud here, but lemons...a known acid...are also said to neutralize the ph of the body when eaten. I am just betting that large doses of lemon juice via IV would NOT have the same effect as ingesting lemon juice. KWIM?

I'm still 'on the fence' with Xylitol as well. It's something I would only use in specific anti-bacterial instances, and wouldn't consider it as a replacement for sweeteners in general. Plus, it's EXPENSIVE comparatively with other sweetner options. I would prefer to use more natural sources for treatments if available.

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