Xylitol — cavity-fighting sweetener a possible solution for osteoporosis

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2002 by Ward Dean

Xylitol Mechanisms and the Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging -- Another Receptor Sensitizer?

The scientists speculated that Xylitol's bone density-enhancing properties were due to its ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium. They pointed out that calcium absorption is impaired with aging. They believe that this is due to an age-related intestinal resistance to 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, and by an age-related decrease in intestinal vitamin D receptor concentrations. I think this is similar to the age-related loss of receptor sensitivity and associated hormonal resistance observed in many other receptor systems. (9)

The scientists proposed that Xylitol's efficacy in enhancing calcium absorption and utilization may be independent of the apparent vitamin D resistance. It may be the mineral absorption- and utilization-enhancing effects of Xylitol combined with its H. pylori-killing effects that result in Xylitol's ability to reduce the number and size of cavities. Some cavities have even tended to "fill in." Of course, it may be that Xylitol acts as a vitamin D3 receptor sensitizer, enhancing the effects of vitamin D (see Table 2).

Xylitol May Prevent Osteoporosis in Humans

In a rare action for academic scientists, the Finnish researchers made bold recommendations for human application of their studies. Based on their study with rats (the rats were given about two grams of Xylitol daily -- 7% of their daily caloric intake), the scientists extrapolated that a human dose would be about 40 grams daily. (Many people routinely take 30 to 60 grams of Xylitol per day.) Xylitol does not appear to have a toxic dose. People have safely taken doses as high as 400 grams daily for prolonged periods without significant ill effects (initially, such high doses may cause diarrhea).

Conclusion

The findings of the bone-building effects of Xylitol are exciting. Although clinical studies with humans should certainly be conducted, in view of (1) the overwhelming safety of Xylitol, (2) its numerous significant health benefits, and (3) the high likelihood that these animal results can be replicated successfully in humans, I recommend that people replace their sucrose consumption to as great a degree as practical with this remarkable nutrient.

Although Xylitol may seem to be expensive when compared to sugar, its cost is clearly a bargain when compared to the cost of most other antiosteoporosis or weight loss agents, to say nothing of savings on dental bills and hip fracture-rehabilitation costs, and improved quality of life.

Note: Xylitol is available from Vitamin Research Products at www.vrp.com or 1-800-877-2447.

[Figure 2 omitted]

[Figure 3 omitted]

Fig. 1

Xylitol-sweetened gum reduced cavities in children in a dose-dependent
manner (i.e. the more gum chewed, the fewer cavities). (Isokangas P, et
al. J Am Dent Assoc 1988.)

Pieces of gum chewed per day

* One piece of gum contains 3.5 grams of xylitol.

Control (no gum)     (2.3)
1.5 pieces or fewer  (2.3)
2-2.5 pieces         (1.6)
3 pieces             (1)

Note: Table made from bar graph
Table 2.

To place the overwhelming and seemingly disconnected array of natural
hypothalamic and peripheral resensitizers into perspective, they are
displayed in chart form. Note that the receptors/homeostats affected are
sorted roughly in descending order from left to right (i.e., the
receptors/homeostats on the left are generally affected by more
substances than those on the right), and the receptor-sensitizing
substances are sorted in

Receptor/Homestat Affected

SUBSTANCES           Insulin  Cortisol  Reproductive  Dopaminergic


SAMe                                                       X
Acetyl-L-Carnitine               X           X
Goat's Rue Extract      X        ?           ?
Aminoguanidine          X        ?           ?
DHEA                    X
Ginkgo Biloha
Phosphatidylserine               X
Thymic Extract          X
Tryptophan                       X                         X
DMAE                             X                         ?
EFAs                    X
Statins (Red Yeast)     X
Cinnamon                X
Vanadium                X
Chromium                X
Phenylalanine                                              X
Tyrosine                                                   X
L-dopa                                                     X
Malatonin                                    X
Succinic Acid                                X
Tribulus terrestris                          X
Vitex                                        X
Cimifuga racomosa                            X
Adaptogens                       X
Blueberries
Forskolin
Xylitol
Ca AEP (?)

SUBSTANCES           Immune  HT1A  Prolactin  NMDA  Muscarinic


SAMe                          X        X
Acetyl-L-Carnitine                             X
Goat's Rue Extract     ?
Aminoguanidine         ?
DHEA                   X                       X
Ginkgo Biloha                 X                         X
Phosphatidylserine                     X
Thymic Extract         X
Tryptophan
DMAE
EFAs
Statins (Red Yeast)
Cinnamon
Vanadium
Chromium
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
L-dopa
Malatonin
Succinic Acid
Tribulus terrestris
Vitex
Cimifuga racomosa
Adaptogens
Blueberries                                             X
Forskolin
Xylitol
Ca AEP (?)

SUBSTANCES            Alpha 2      Beta 2    GABA  Adenylate  CHAT
                     adrenergic  adrenergic         cyclase

SAMe                                 X        X
Acetyl-L-Carnitine                                             X
Goat's Rue Extract
Aminoguanidine
DHEA
Ginkgo Biloha            X
Phosphatidylserine
Thymic Extract
Tryptophan
DMAE
EFAs
Statins (Red Yeast)
Cinnamon
Vanadium
Chromium
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
L-dopa
Malatonin
Succinic Acid
Tribulus terrestris
Vitex
Cimifuga racomosa
Adaptogens
Blueberries
Forskolin                                              X
Xylitol
Ca AEP (?)

SUBSTANCES           Vitamin D


SAMe
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Goat's Rue Extract
Aminoguanidine
DHEA
Ginkgo Biloha
Phosphatidylserine
Thymic Extract
Tryptophan
DMAE
EFAs
Statins (Red Yeast)
Cinnamon
Vanadium
Chromium
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
L-dopa
Malatonin
Succinic Acid
Tribulus terrestris
Vitex
Cimifuga racomosa
Adaptogens
Blueberries
Forskolin
Xylitol                  ?
Ca AEP (?)