—Advertorial— XYLITOL More Innovative than Antibiotics The Power of Xylitol


Xylitol’s effectiveness in oral health and usage as a sweetener is well-known. New research also shows its usefulness in upper respiratory health. However, people may not know the reason why it is so effective. Xylitol has a unique ability to interfere with bacterial adhesion.


Anti-Adhesion


Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect was discovered by accident in 1996. A British medical journal published a study, which analyzed past research done with xylitol. Researchers found that there was an additional correlation between xylitol and upper respiratory infections—a correlation researchers didn’t see when the studies were performed originally. The 1996 study found that among the children tested in the studies, those who used xylitol chewing gum had 42% fewer ear infections. Researchers performed subsequent research to answer why there was this correlation. These studies supported the discovery of xylitol’s anti-adhesion property.


Xylitol’s anti-adhesive effect interferes with bacteria sticking to tissue. In order for bacteria to thrive, they must attach to the cell membrane. There they metabolize and


the body senses the bacteria, it reacts with various responses like congestion, runny nose,


against bacterial infections using antibiotics, attempting to kill the bacteria. However, the use of antibiotics produces resistant bacterial strains, which leads to more serious problems.


Xylitol’s anti-adhesive property interferes with bacterial adhesion, resulting in bacteria not being able to colonize and thrive; eventually they are washed out. This is an innovative way to avoid antibiotic resistance. Instead of


them to become stronger and more resistant, xylitol doesn’t allow the bacteria to cling to the cell and start its metabolic processes. Professionals advise people to regularly wash


their hands to prevent illness. But washing with only water isn’t enough; they must wash with soap. Similarly, just as people should wash their hands, they should also wash their nasal passages. A normal saline solution is like washing with only water. Washing with a nasal spray containing xylitol is like washing hands with soap.


Bacteria and People


Bacteria, like people, congregate together. This is called quorum sensing. When people start coming together, they form a town or city. Bacteria act similarly; as they sense other


bacterial “city.”


If a group wanted to take over a city, historically they would send in soldiers to subdue the inhabitants so they could then occupy the city. However, there is no guarantee that they would control everyone, and there may be leftover survivors who rally together. But if that particular city were to have an extreme change in environment, the inhabitants wouldn’t be able to cope and they’d have to leave the city. Changing the environment is much more effective in expelling the inhabitants than attacking with soldiers.


Relating this back to bacteria, if we use antibiotics, we are sending in soldiers to


between antibiotics and the microorganisms, with both attempting to get stronger. But if we alter the environment in our nasal and sinus passages so that bacteria cannot adhere to the cell surface, and thus thrive, we win the battle.


What are Some of Xylitol’s Applications?


Studies have shown numerous uses for xylitol, many of which deal with its adverse effects on bacterial adhesion. Sinus, ear, and respiratory infections begin in the nose as we breathe in bacteria which attempt to adhere to the cell membrane. With the use of nasal sprays containing xylitol, the bacteria found in the nose cannot stick to the tissue and are


to greater probability that they will not infect the body. Nurse Practitioner Sherril Sego, FNP-


in this aspect. She says, “Saline nasal rinses containing xylitol have been found to be more effective than traditional saline rinses to reduce the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.”


One of the best things about xylitol is that it is 100% natural and 100% safe. It’s no wonder so


Go to xlear.com and look up the patented Xlear Nasal Spray.


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