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 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.