Other Benefits of Xylitol

Thursday, May 28

After we heard of the dental benefits of xylitol at the Xlear conference held in Rome, we turned our attention to its non-oral anti-infective properties.

As I pointed out earlier in previous blogs, the key to Xylitol's mode of action is its ability to break up biofilms, the mucus layers in which bacteria hide and proliferate, virtually immune to the body's natural defenses, and even resistant to antibiotics.

One of the speakers, Dr. Mary Cloud Ammons, a microbiologist from the Montana State University, provided dramatic evidence of the infection-fighting capabilities of xylitol. One of the world's leading experts on biofilms, she showed us a remarkable series of slides showing xylitol in action against skin ulcerations in diabetics.

Poor circulation and out-of-control blood sugar leads to terrible ulceration and gangrene of the toes and feet in diabetics. The skin breaks down, and deep ulcers literally gnaw away at the flesh, ultimately resulting in amputation. Antibiotics are powerless at eradicating these chronic suppurating wounds.

Dr. Ammons and her research team have been testing a novel treatment of these intractable wounds: topical xylitol, along with lactoferrin, an immune-boosting natural infection-fighter that is present in mothers' milk. Dramatic photographs illustrated the power of these combined ingredients in treating resistant infection and bringing about near-miraculous healing of gory wounds.

While use of the xylitol/lactoferrin combo is in the research phase, and not yet ready for "prime-time", Dr. Ammon's research amply demonstrates the anti-infective power of xylitol.

Conventional medicine certainly needs help in knocking out an even more common scourge, chronic sinusitis. While it seems logical to treat these infections with antibiotics, studies now demonstrate that antibiotics are generally ineffective, and seldom hasten resolution of severe congestion.

A slew of drugs are employed in an effort to tame sinusitis, including powerful anti-histamines, leukotriene-blockers, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays, usually to little avail.

The reason may be that bacteria (and, now it is being recognized, fungal species) literally hide from antibiotics in protective biofilms, evading successful eradication. Studies show that xylitol, taken in the form of a nasal spray, or used as a nasal douche (with a neti pot), can break the hold of tenacious pathogens within the nasal passages.

Since asthma is linked to chronic post-nasal drip, xylitol may also offer a plausible strategy for breaking the cycle of bronchial inflammation. And, in children with chronic ear infections, chewing xylitol gum or administering xylitol nasal drops has been shown to reduce ear infections. Logical, since the inner ear communicates with the oral cavity via the Eustachian tubes.

Moreover, unlike steroid sprays, xylitol does not dry the nasal passages and inhibit their defenses; rather, it acts as a lubricant, facilitating the natural mucus secretions that float pathogens away.

In the past, I had urged my sinusitis patients to use Xlear nasal spray twice daily. Some, but not all, have achieved remarkable results. Now, I am newly inspired to exhort patients to use the spray four or five times daily because, if the analogy of preventing oral bacteria extends to the nasal passages, more frequent application of xylitol is necessary to attack the biofilm.

One might say that xylitol represents a paradigm change in the treatment of infection: from "find a bug, use a drug" to "evict bugs from their home".

By adding Xlear to my usual regimen of allergy-elimination, anti-fungal treatment, and nutritional anti-inflammatory and immune support, I am getting better results than ever with my chronic sinusitis and asthma patients.

Learn more about xylitol at www.xlear.com