Xylitol

[cchick]

I just have to put this out there. I've been dieting, and have become addicted to chewing gum. In the past I wasn't able to chew gum, because the sweeteners bothered my bladdar. But I started chewing Stride, with xylitol, and have a two pack a day habit. This has been going on for several months.

In the meantime, I realized that something was different with me, bladdar-wise. Frequency is MUCH better. (I still have a little pain.)

Keep in mind my IC is under fairly good control with medication.

The only thing I can think of that's different is the gum. I did a quick web search, and there's one anecdotal mention of xylitol as helpful for IC.

Is this just me? Has anyone else noticed this effect? I suppose it could be something else, but I'm starting to see a difference on the weekends when I don't chew much gum, and the weekdays when I do.

[purpleviolet]

I was thinking something like that.

I was reading somewhere about xylitol and how it is good for dental health because it controls germs somehow? and I was wondering about if it could get to the bladder sort of like d-mannose (someone on the forum says taking d-mannose has helped their IC.) Funny I was thinking of that yesterday when my daughter and I were looking at gum ingredients. I hope it has helped you for real.

[sabstory]

Xylitol gives me diarrhea and horrible cramps, so if you haven't tried it, consider going slow.

[earthlady]

I did read somewhere that this ingredient can be helpful for bladder frequency, but I can't remember where I read it or why it's helpful.

[chelseau]

Re: Xylitol

Hi,

I just read a book written by a medical doctor about combating biofilms. The book explains that xylitol and lactoferrin are extremely
effective in combating biofilms - and bacteria specifically - pseudomonas, enterococcus, and staph - the 3 most common biofilm
infections that WILL NOT show up on your doctor's standard urine test.

Xylitol along with lactoferrin kill pseudomonas biofilms - and prevent the biofilm from accessing iron in your body.

If xylitol helps you, have you considered adding lactoferrin and seeing if that provides more relief?

[Bladderella]

Re: Xylitol

I've never tried Stride but I looked up the rest of the ingredients. Not all of them are IC-friendly:

Sorbitol, Gum Base, Mannitol, Xylitol, Glycerin, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Soy Lecithin, Blue 2 Lake, and BHT (to maintain freshness).

[purpleviolet]

Re: Xylitol

Was on some forum and reading about arthritis and this link came up and was referencing xylitol and pentosan polysulfate. Now Elmiron is pentosan polysulfate sodium. I'm sure not quite the same, but interesting. So we know Elmiron is somewhat synthetic (so can be patented), but guess it can exist in nature from birch or beech. Wish I was a chemist! Darn!
Interesting article

http://www.naturalmedicine.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1-Polisulfate-to-PDF1.pdf

[Aaarrrggghhh]

Re: Xylitol

Wow great read, maybe we can get more benefits from Elmiron than just our bladders. I think this is a wonderdrug for me.