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Q: Benefits of Xylitol for Diabetics ( Answered 3 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Benefits of Xylitol for Diabetics
Category: Health > Fitness and Nutrition
Asked by: karon-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 18 Jun 2003 14:55 PDT
Expires: 18 Jul 2003 14:55 PDT
Question ID: 218955
Please provide a 2-page report on the benefits of xylitol for use by
diabetics, why it is beneficial (in terms that are relevant to
diabetics), referring to scientific studies and their results for any
claims made, and including recommendations for how xylitol would be
incorporated into the diet/regime of a diabetic.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Benefits of Xylitol for Diabetics
Answered By: reeteshv-ga on 20 Jun 2003 02:04 PDT
Rated:3 out of 5 stars
 
Dear karon-ga,

Good day!

1. Introduction
Xylitol, in its pure form, is a white crystalline substance that looks
and tastes like sugar. It has been used in foods since the 1960's. It
is also a popular sweetener for the diabetic diet in some countries.
In 1891, the German chemist Emil Fischer became the first person to
synthesize xylitol through the hydrogenation of wood sugar. However,
it failed to caputre much attention among the scientists an the
general public. Chronic sugar shortages in the years following the
World War II prompted a search for other sweeteners. By the late
1950's, xylitol had been identified as a normal intermediate in human
metabolism, with a turnover capacity of between 15 grams (about half
an ounce) - 600 grams (more than one pound) per day, depending on the
metabolic cycle. The potential of xylitol as a major energy source was
now readily apparent, especially in light of its largely
insulin-independent metabolism. By the 1960's, Germany, Switzerland,
the Soviet Union, and Japan started using xylitol as a preferred
sweetener in diabetic diets and as an energy source. The US FDA
approved Xylitol for special dietary purposes in 1963.

In the late 60s, a few reports of adverse reactions from Australia and
Chicago negatively influenced attitudes toward xylitol worldwide, with
particular persistence in the United States. Review of these cases and
further research helped define safe levels and rates of xylitol
administration. Meanwhile the safety of orally ingested xylitol had
already been well established. Xylitol was also found to be a
particularly safe sweetener for teeth in the early 70s. An extensive
Finnish study (later known as "Turku Sugar Studies") conducted over a
period of two years, reported an astounding dental caries (or tooth
decay) reduction of at least 85%! Again, in the late 70s, the safety
of xylitol was put to question by the health authorities in the US and
the UK. However, xylitol was again found to be safe.

2. Benefits

Xylitol, as a sugar substitute, has the following advantages:

2.1 Xylitol has a pleasant taste with refreshing cool sensation and no
after-taste
2.2 Xylitol has a sweetness equal to that of sucrose.
2.3 Xylitol is versatile and has good functional properties in many
applications
2.4 Xylitol reduces calorie utilisation by as much as 40% for the same
sweetness and function. This helps to keep the overall diet within the
guidelines of the expert panel
2.5 With correct xylitol dosage, carbohydrate tolerance is increased.
This means that carbohydrate cravers are not as likely to go on a
xylitol binge.
2.6 Xylitol has a very low glycemic index (which rates carbohydrates
according to their impact on blood sugar). This means a slow, steady
release of energy.
2.7 Small xylitol doses stabilize the metabolic situation in unstable
diabetics.
2.8 Xylitol has antiketogenic properties, i.e., it prevents or
inhibits the formation of ketone bodies (serum free fatty acid
levels).
2.9 Xylitol is noncariogenic (i.e., prevents tooth decay) as well as
anticariogenic (i.e., inhibits tooth decay).
2.10 Xylitol is natural - our bodies produce up to 15 grams of xylitol
from other food sources using established energy pathways.
2.11 Xylitol is safe and there are no known harmful effects on the
central nervous system, hormones, or neurotransmitters.
2.12 Xylitol increases the absorption of B-vitamins and calcium 
2.13 Xylitol is good for teeth - diabetes is often associated with
higher rates of tooth loss
     
Studies conducted by various international and national regulatory
authorities in humans and rodents have shown that xylitol, when
appropriately administered orally with adaptation, is well tolerated
and safe to levels of at least 90 g/day, with no subjective or
objective adverse findings. Somewhat less insulin is released into the
blood during xylitol administration than during glucose
administration.

In 1986, FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology) experts completed a report on the health aspects of sugar
alcohols and lactose. Based on the comprehensive body of scientific
information, the FASEB report concluded that:
- No significant safety concerns would be expected from use of xylitol
in humans, and that
- Xylitol appears to have the same safety profile as other sugar
alcohols, such as sorbitol and D-mannitol.

3. Useful Products
It is not necessary to replace all sweeteners to get the dental
benefits of xylitol. The following are the possible products in which
xylitol can be incorporated into the diet/regime of a diabetic:
3.1 Chewing gum
3.2 Xylitol tablets
3.3 Candy - either chewy (or gummy) or hard varieties
3.4 Chocolate
3.5 Ice cream
3.6 Bakery products 
3.7 Sauces & dressings 
3.8 Tabletop sweetener
3.9 Beverages
3.10 Medications
3.11 Oral hygiene products

4 Dosage
Studies show that 4 to 12 grams of xylitol per day are very effective.
It is not necessary to use more than 15 grams per day as higher
intakes yield diminishing dental benefits. Xylitol needs to be used at
least three, and preferably 5 times every day. Xylitol-containing
products should be taken after eating and clearing the mouth Between
meals, one should replace ordinary chewing gum, breath mints, or
breath spray with comparable xylitol products.


Additional links:

The following website has a wealth of information on Xylitol
http://www.xylitol.org/

"Xylitol, Sweeten Your Smile", by Dr. John Peldyak (1996), (c)
Advanced Developments, Inc., is an excellent e-book on xylitol
available for free download from the xylitol.org website referenced
above

The English version of this Finnish website has details on the various
xylitol studies conducted:
http://www.xylitol.net/english/


Search strategy:

Xylitol
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Xylitol

I hope this addresses your query in a satisfactory manner :)

Regards,
reeteshv-ga

Request for Answer Clarification by karon-ga on 20 Jun 2003 12:40 PDT
Thank you for that but perhaps I was unclear in my wording request -
the report needs to be specific for diabetics and discuss the benefits
and usage of xylitol in relation to diabetes.

I am aware of all the other information - we have a website at
xylitol.com.au as we sell the product here in Australia. It was  in
relation to numerous queries from diabetics that I raised the
question.

Could you research your answer specifically related to diabetes,
please?

Clarification of Answer by reeteshv-ga on 20 Jun 2003 23:14 PDT
Dear karon-ga,

Good day!

I am sorry that my answer did not bring out the benefits of xylitol
very clearly. However, all the advantages mentioned under section 2
(except 2.9 & 2.10) are directly related to diabetic patients. Please
refer to the e-book cited in the original answer. While the book is
principally intended for dental caries prevention, the author has
listed the advantages of xylitol in diabetes managmeent.

Other sources that have discussed the issue of xylitol use in
diabetics are mentioned in the next few paragraphs.

* Diabetes Education and Research Center (
http://www.diabeteseducationandresearchcenter.org/index.html ):
Sugar alcohols have been recommended for people with diabetes because
the body either absorbs these sugars more slowly or metabolizes them
to glucose more slowly. This prevents a sharp rise in blood sugar
vis-a-vis regular table sugar.
( http://www.diabeteseducationandresearchcenter.org/info/que5.html )

*  Calorie Control Council ( http://www.caloriecontrol.org/index.html
)
"...Control of blood glucose, lipids and weight are the three major
goals of diabetes management today. Xylitol is slowly absorbed.
Therefore, when xylitol is used, the rise in blood glucose and insulin
response associated with the ingestion of glucose is significantly
reduced. The reduced caloric value (2.4 calories per gram versus 4.0
for sugar) of xylitol is consistent with the objective of weight
control..."
( http://www.caloriecontrol.org/xylitol.html )

The following studies have found xylitol effective on diabetic
patients:

1. Natah SS, Hussien KR, Tuominen JA, Koivisto VA:  Metabolic response
to lactitol and xylitol in healthy men. Am J Clin Nutr 65:947–950,
1997
Abstract available at the following link:
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/4/947?ijkey=dcb19b5e4c2fc6c4b9810c50dd7cd5221ec80240&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

2. Hassinger W, Sauer G, Cordes U, Krause U, Beyer J, Baessler KH: The
effects of equal caloric amounts of xylitol, sucrose and starch on
insulin requirements and blood glucose levels in insulin-dependent
diabetics. Diabetologia. 1981 Jul;21(1):37-40
Abstract available at the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=7024026&dopt=Abstract

3. Brunzell, John D.: Use of fructose, xylitol, or sorbitol as a
sweetener in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, Vol. 1, No. 4,
July-August 1978
Abstract available at the following link:
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/1/4/223?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=xylitol&searchid=1056173812582_904&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&journalcode=diacare

4. Marion J. Franz, John P. Bantle, Christine A. Beebe, John D.
Brunzell, Jean-Louis Chiasson, Abhimanyu Garg, Lea Ann Holzmeister,
Byron Hoogwerf, Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, Arshag D. Mooradian, Jonathan
Q. Purnell, and Madelyn Wheeler:
Evidence-Based Nutrition Principles and Recommendations for the
Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Complications.
Diabetes Care 25: 148-198.
Full-text available at the following link:
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/25/1/148?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=xylitol&searchid=1056173812582_904&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&journalcode=diacare

I hope that you are satisfied with the clarification provided. 

Search Strategy:

Xylitol + diabetes
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=Xylitol+%2B+diabetes
karon-ga rated this answer:3 out of 5 stars

Comments  
Subject: Re: Benefits of Xylitol for Diabetics
From: reeteshv-ga on 29 Jun 2003 21:45 PDT
 
Dear karon-ga,

Good day!

Thanks for the positive rating :)

Regards,

reeteshv-ga

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