Xylitol

Basic Facts
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol substitute, found in the fibers of __fruits and vegetables__. The Scandinavian birch tree was the first source of xylitol and has been in a lot of __studies__ that it inhibits certain bacterial growth that causes cavities, so it is teeth friendly. Its molecular formula is C5H12O5, has a molar mass of 152. 15 grams per mol, has a density of 1.52 grams per centimeter^3. Xylitol has a melting point of 92-96 degrees celsius and a boiling point of 216 degrees celsius.

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that is used to prevent cavities. It is found in the fiber of fruits and vegetables such as berries, mushrooms and oats. Xylitol has almost no aftertaste and is recommended for diabetics due to its low impact on blood-sugar levels. Besides preventing tooth decay, Xylitol is also used to treat ear infections and osteoporosis. Xylitol is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

Uses
- Xylitol is used in nasal spray. This is because Xylitol kills the germs inside the nose and moisturizes to clear the nasal passage way. - The structure of Xylitol keeps it from being metabolized by bacteria. This helps teeth no decay so as a result it is used in toothpaste. - Xylitol can also be used as a sweetener. - Xylitol is can be used as a natural __teeth whitener__

Google Image Google Image Another example of where xylitol can be found is in berries and mushrooms.

Xylitol crystals

Dental care
Xylitol is a “tooth-friendly”, nonfermentable sugar alcohol. [|[13]][|[14]] A systematic review study [|[15]] on the efficacy of xylitol has indicated dental health benefits in [|caries] prevention, showing superior performance to other [|polyols] (polyalcohols). This is because the structure of xylitol contains a tridentate ligand, (H-C-OH)3 that can rearrange with polyvalent cations like Ca++. This interaction allows for Ca++ to be transported through the gut wall barrier and through saliva may remineralize enamel before dental caries forms. [|[16]] Early studies from Finland in the 1970s found that a group chewing sucrose gum had 2.92 decayed, missing, or filled (dmf) teeth compared to 1.04 in the group chewing xylitol gums. [|[17]] Recent research [|[18]] confirms a [|plaque] -reducing effect and suggests the compound, having some chemical properties similar to [|sucrose], attracts and then "starves" harmful micro-organisms, allowing the mouth to remineralize damaged teeth with less interruption. (However, this same effect also interferes with [|yeast] micro-organisms and others, so xylitol is inappropriate for making yeast-based [|bread], for instance.) This is because cariogenic bacteria prefer fermentable six-carbon sugars, or disacharrides such as sucrose, as opposed to the nonfermentable xylitol, whose antimicrobial properties then "starve" the bacteria, reducing their growth and reproduction. [|[16]] Most of these studies suggest that at least 6 grams of xylitol per day is needed for dental efficacy; for most chewing gum or breath mints this would require 12 pieces per day (op cit). Xylitol is specific in its inhibition of the [|mutans streptococci] group, [|bacteria] that are significant contributors to tooth decay. [|[19]] Xylitol inhibits mutans streptococci in the presence of other sugars, with the exception of [|fructose]. [|[20]] Daily doses of xylitol below 3.44 grams are ineffective, and doses above 10.32 grams show no additional benefit. [|[19]] Saliva containing xylitol is more [|alkaline] than saliva which contains other sugar products. After taking xylitol products, the concentration of basic amino acids in saliva may rise. When saliva is alkaline (i.e., its [|pH] is above 7), calcium and phosphate salts in saliva start to precipitate into those parts of enamel where they are lacking. [|[7]] Xylitol also inhibits the growth of //Streptococcus pneumoniae//, as well as the attachment of //Haemophilus influenzae// on the nasopharyngeal cells, making xylitol nose spray a very marketable product. [|[16]] Xylitol-based products are allowed by the [|U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to make the medical claim that they do not promote dental cavities. [|[21]] As a water additive for cats xylitol is effective in reducing plaque and [|calculus] accumulation. [|[22]] However, there is evidence xylitol may be [|dangerous to dogs].

Diabetes
Possessing approximately 40% less food energy, xylitol is a low- [|calorie] alternative to table sugar. Absorbed more slowly than sugar, it does not contribute to high [|blood sugar] levels or the resulting [|hyperglycemia] caused by insufficient [|insulin] response. This characteristic has also proven beneficial for people suffering from [|metabolic syndrome], a common disorder that includes insulin resistance, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and an increased risk for blood clots. [|[23]]

Osteoporosis
Xylitol also has potential as a treatment for [|osteoporosis]. A group of Finnish researchers has found dietary xylitol prevents weakening of [|bones] in laboratory rats, and actually improves bone density. [|[24]][|[25]]

Ear and upper respiratory infections
Studies have shown xylitol chewing gum can help prevent ear infections [|[26]] (acute [|otitis media] ); the act of chewing and swallowing assists with the disposal of [|earwax] and clearing the [|middle ear], while the presence of xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria in the [|eustachian tubes] (auditory or pharyngotympanic tubes) which connect the nose and ear. [|[27]] When bacteria enter the body, they adhere to the tissues using a variety of sugar complexes. The open nature of xylitol and its ability to form many different sugar-like structures appears to interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, saline solutions of xylitol significantly reduced the number of nasal coagulase-negative //Staphylococcus// bacteria. The researchers attributed the benefits to the increased effectiveness of [|endogenous] (naturally present in the body) antimicrobial factors. [|[28]] In a small clinical trial nasally administered xylitol reduced ear complaints in children previously having chronic complaints, on the order of almost one a month, by more than 92%. The author also reported beneficial effects on asthma with nasal administration. [|[29]]

Infection
In rats, xylitol has been found to increase the activity of [|neutrophils], the white blood cells involved in fighting many bacteria. This effect seems to be quite broad, acting even in cases such as general [|sepsis]. [|[30]

Safety
Xylitol has no known [|toxicity] in humans. In one study, the participants consumed a diet containing a monthly average of 1.5 kg of xylitol with a maximum daily intake of 430 g with no apparent ill effects. [|[32]] Like most sugar alcohols, it has a [|laxative] effect because sugar alcohols are not fully broken down during digestion; albeit one-tenth the strength of [|sorbitol] .[// [|clarification needed] //] The effect depends upon the individual. In one study of 13 children, four experienced diarrhea when consuming over 65 grams per day. [|[6]] Studies have reported adaptation occurs after several weeks of consumption. [|[6]]

Dogs
[|Dogs] that have ingested foods containing high levels of xylitol (greater than 100 milligrams of xylitol consumed per kilogram of bodyweight) have presented with low blood sugar ( [|hypoglycemia] ), which can be life-threatening. [|[33]] Low blood sugar can result in a loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures in as soon as 30 minutes. [|[34]] Intake of very high doses of xylitol (greater than 500 – 1000 mg/kg bwt) has also been implicated in liver failure in dogs, which can be fatal. [|[35]] These are points of controversy, however, as earlier World Health Organization studies using much higher doses on dogs for long periods showed no ill effect. [|[36]] A study published in the //Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics// involved two groups of eight [|Pekingese] dogs fed either 1 or 4 g/kg of xylitol. In addition to developing hypoglycemia, all of the dogs developed elevated levels of liver enzymes associated with liver damage. The dogs also developed reduced serum phosphorus and potassium, and increased serum calcium. [|[37]]

Prevention/Solution

 * If you experience gas or diarrhea while using xylitol, reduce your consumption and slowly increase your use until your system has a chance to adjust to this low-calorie sweetener. Hypoglycemia can be prevented by monitoring your __ [|caloricintake] __ and being sure that you are getting enough calories for your body weight if dieting or according to your doctor's instructions for maintenance of diabetes. Changes in liver function tests only occur with very high use of xylitol and are not likely to occur at normal rates of consumption.