Can this much fun really be good for me?! YES!

I did some research on the internet and found a study that xylitol gum chewed by elementary students not only decreased the amount of cavities to those that chewed regular gum, but also had over 40% less ear infections!

Then last year during a dental check up, I asked the dentist about fluoride in toothpaste, especially for young children. I had become interested in fluoride when I was told by a dentist who took my alagam (mercury dental fillings) out, that fluoride is one of the few things that can cross the blood-brain barrier. As I understand, fluoride will also chelate with aluminum and carry that into the brain. This dentist confirmed that there were MUCH more effective chemicals for teeth… I do not remember them all, but at the top was XYLITOL! I was so amazed that xylitol was recommended for so many things! Why are we not hearing more about this? What until you read what other benefits it has on the human body!

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various hardwood trees like birch. It is a natural, intermediate product which regularly occurs in the glucose metabolism of man and other animals, as well as in the metabolism of several plants and micro-organisms. Xylitol is produced naturally in our bodies; in fact, we make up to 15 grams daily during normal metabolism.

Although xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar, that is where the similarities end. Xylitol is really sugar’s mirror image. While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs. It also builds immunity, protects against chronic degenerative disease, and has anti-aging benefits. Xylitol is considered a five-carbon sugar, which means it is an antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid-forming, xylitol is alkaline enhancing. All other forms of sugar, including sorbitol, another popular alternative sweetener, are six-carbon sugars, which feed dangerous bacteria and fungi.

Here are some wonderful benefits of using xytilol.

* Oral health, reduces cavities and periodontal disease
* Inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause middle-ear infections in young children. In two recent studies involving over 1,000 children, xylitolflavored chewing gum was found to reduce the incidence of middle-ear infections by 40%, significantly decreasing ongoing middle-ear complications and the need for antibiotics.
* Reduction in osteoporosis- The scientists speculated that xylitol’s bone density-enhancing properties are due to its ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium.
* Insulin Resistance, Diabetes Hypertension, And Hormonal Imbalances-Xylitol has been demonstrated in repeated clinical studies to be very slowly metabolised. In fact, on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly foods enter the bloodstream, sugar is rated at 100 and xylitol at just seven! Xylitol is a natural insulin stabilizer, therefore it causes none of the abrupt rises and falls that occur with sugar. In fact, it actually helps in stopping sugar and carbohydrate cravings.
* Using xylitol instead of sugar, as well as reducing intake of high-glycemic, refined carbohydrate foods, helps to lower the risk not only of PCOS but also of ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, PMS, hot flashes, weight gain, and depression.

I have been using a nasal spray called Clear, Spry gum, Spry tooth gel (did you know that toothpaste by definition was both acidic and abrasive? Do either of those things sound like they are good for your teeth?). After reading this article Xylitol: Our Sweet Salvation? by Sherill Sellman (The SPECTRUM Vol. 4 No. 8; February 2003, p.23 — www.thespectrumnews.org), I will be replacing as much sugar as I can with xylitol. I highly recommend you read the dangers of artificial sweeteners in http://www.laleva.cc/food/food.html

According to www.snopes.com, although xylitol is safe for human consumption, it can be very harmful to dogs. (read more here: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp)

After so many posts on the swine flu vaccine (almost posted another one on women who have miscarried after having the swine flu vaccine), I am happy to post some very positive information to you. I hope you have enjoyed this sweet post!

Here are some great resources on Xylitol

Please leave your comments and thoughts about xylitol and other sweeteners. We love hearing from you!