Xylitol - Osteoporosis Message Board

osteoblast · 04-12-2008, 09:28 PM

I went to a new dentist recently and he mentioned I should start chewing xylitol gum to stimulate saliva-my mouth is dry. Well, I remembered the discussion here. I checked back and it was Pika B. I know that people here mentioned it being good for bones. Can someone tell me how it is helpful for our bones and how much to have a day for the bone benefit?
At the health food store I saw the xylitol in a gum, a hard mint and in a granulated form. So how are people here taking it?

taape · 04-12-2008, 10:14 PM

I'm chewing the gum, I just bought some today but only because I like chewing gum. I'm glad to know it's good for the bones also.

PikaB · 04-13-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osteoblast

...Can someone tell me how it is helpful for our bones and how much to have a day for the bone benefit?
At the health food store I saw the xylitol in a gum, a hard mint and in a granulated form. So how are people here taking it?

There are many studies in rats which show improved bone density and structure after taking xylitol. For a few of them, go to [url]www.pubmed.gov[/url] and search for any of the following articles: 7750030 11782878 10089228 7816005

I chew around 8-10 pieces of Xylichew, every other day, scattered throughout the day.

Based on the rat studies, an osteo-therapeutic dose for humans might be about 40 grams of xylitol per day, which is quite a lot more than I take. (Two pieces of Xylichew only has about 1.5 grams of xylitol.) Too much can easily cause diarrhea, so a person would need to gradually find out what dose can be tolerated. I've found that it's best to chew the gum after eating rather than on an empty stomach.

phylwill1152 · 04-13-2008, 06:58 AM

Hello...i have a bag of zylitol that i use to sweeten tea and coffee. After reading how much it takes to make a difference in our bones i decided to use it as a healthy alternative to splenda or equal and if its doing my bones some good then thats an extra bonus. I don't think it taste as good, but can live with that. Some trident gum is made with zylitol too, since it is also good for the teeth. take care...phyllis

osteoblast · 04-13-2008, 10:25 AM

PikaB-I am wondering if it is ok to ask you how you found out about xylitol? You seem to have a number of really great ideas that take me awhile to catch on to and I think why didn't I look into that when Pika B first mentioned it and get on with it then. I had read what you had said about xylitol earlier but then focused on other things that were discussed in that post-like your dexa results and dexa machine variances and etc. I was curious enough about the xylitol to ask what it was and just left it at that. But, now that the dentist is recommending it for oral health and then coupled with the osteo benefit, I am going to see how it works for me. But, as I said earlier-how did you learn about xylitol and decide to pursue it?
It is that old saying give a person a fish and they eat a meal, teach a person to fish and they can feed themselves for life. So, in a way I am trying to get at your process for finding these things (like the unipedal standing, and you were onto the weights on your shoulders pretty early , before we started talking vests).

Phylwil-so with the granulated, how much are you using a day?And, could I ask whether you recall where you read about xylitol and the effect of xylitol on bones? You too seem way ahead of the curve on what you have put together to help your bones.

Both of you are excellent mentors/colleagues and I want to let you both know how much you have helped me and I am sure so many others as well . THANK YOU.