Sugar Alcohols --- Re-Post....

I think I promised someone I’d Re-Post some crap on Sugar Alcohol…. So- Re-Post----(if of no use, just skip it) __________________________________________________ Here’s everything I’ve picked up on Sugar Alcohols- "Sugar Alcohol" isn’t actually Sugar or Alcohol. They are carbohydrates, chemically structured to resemble sugar and/or alcohol. They aren’t completely absorbed or metabolized by the body, and thus supply fewer calories. The most commonly used ones are- Sorbitol, Mannitol, Xylitol, Maltitol, and Maltitol syrup, Lactitol, Erythritol, Isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Their caloric make-up ranges from 1.5 to 3 calories per gram (compared to 4 calories per gram for sucrose or other real sugars.) Most of them are about half as sweet as sucrose; But Maltitol and Xylitol have the same ‘sweetness’ as sucrose.

Sugar Alcohols are classified by chemical structure, such as- :Monosaccharides -( sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol) :Disaccharides -( isomalt, lactitol, maltitol) :Polysaccharide mixtures - (maltitol syrup, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates [HSH] on the label) They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration As either GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) or ‘approved’ food additives

They are either slowly or incompletely absorbed From the small intestine into the blood. Once absorbed they are converted to energy By processes that require little or no insulin. (thus diabetic safe) Some of the sugar alcohol is not absorbed into the blood And is passed out of the small intestine And is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. WARNING Though- Too Much may produce abdominal gas and diarrhea for most folks. Total daily intake should be considered Since it is the total intake that induces the laxative effects. Foods that contain certain sugar alcohols And that are likely to be eaten in amounts that could produce such diarrhea Must bear the statement "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect." [Here’s the part I think relates to most folks claiming to "Dump" from them-] The American Dietetic Association advises – "That greater than 50g/day of sorbitol or greater than 20g/day of mannitol "may cause diarrhea." All of the Monosaccharides tend to cause more diarrhea.

They are great at helping soothe that ‘sweet craving,’ But just count the Carbs and calories on the labeling. And don’t eat too much. They have a little more ‘laxative effect’ on Gastric By-Pass patients Because there is even less absorption as they miss some of the Small intestine where they would be partially absorbed in a complete digestive system.

When in doubt, you can stick to things sweetened with Splenda.

Or even Stevia. Harder to find, but doesn’t have the negatives of Nutra-Sweet or the Diarrhea of the Sugar Alcohols. That’s what I’ve picked up along the way… Hope it helps? Best Wishes- Dx

Troy, "…count them the same as sugar grams when calculating or reading your labels?" Well, even slower absorption does get them in as Carbs/Calories. That- "greater than 50g/day of sorbitol or greater than 20g/day of mannitol may cause diarrhea." For Many RNY folks, that’s about the same threshold for Dumping Syndrome. So it same "calculating" and "label reading" would work for both.

But-  (in my Zorro Mask) Part of it MAY also be the Nutritionist/Bariatric Doc combating a common problem with their Post-Op patients. I see Lots of people on the Boards going on and on about --- "SF Ice Cream…Yummm" and the "Sugar Free Syrup" on their "Multi-Grain Waffles…"  "SF Peanut Brittle!! Like the Real Deal!" And then later see posts from the very same folks concerning— "My Honeymoon Period has ended -and Even though I’m still ‘watching what I eat’ the weight loss has Stopped!!" Ask YOUR Doc- WHY? Example---- Faced with conflicting info from reputable sources about "Pouch Stretching," I asked my Doc- "What’s Up?" He’s also part of a ‘flagship’ program and designated a "Center of Excellence." His response? "…Not every patient is a University Professor digging for the studies To back up every ‘Friggin’ detail. :haha: So, it’s easier for some Surgeons to just say- Don’t do ANYTHING that will defeat your success!  Sometimes that’s easier." And it’s more effective that loading them down with a bunch of statistical data. If a Surgeon has a patient or two who have to go to the hospital to have gum removed From their Stomas, he’ll begin telling all of his patients- Don’t Chew Gum! Rather than tell them not to swallow their gum or – "…be careful to avoid gum, because I’ve seen a few cases where patients have had this problem." Same way we say to the Kids- "Get to sleep or Santa Won’t Come!" That’s much more effective than- "…Your Mom and I are having some relationship difficulties and with the pressure of the holidays We really need some time to talk this evening while assembling some presents And getting the house ready for our in-laws coming in tomorrow, And you kids are a little hyper-active with the anticipation which is raising the overall stress level in the home, so it would be extra helpful if you went to bed a little earlier than usual so we could sort through some "mom & dad" things and prep for the morning so it won’t be a family ‘melt-down’ like it was last year when we did Christmas at Gramma’s house. Ok?" Yes? "Get to sleep or Santa Won’t Come!" -Kicks Azz at expediting Solutions! I tend to ramble on Way too Long…But, I try to include- "Don’t do ANYTHING that will defeat your success!" also- "Your Mileage May Vary," and "ASK YOUR Doc!" Best Wishes- Dx

Yeah Troy. Many of the protein Bars and such have some sugar Alcohols and even some sugars. If you tolerate it, and it’s on your doc’s list of stuff you should be eating, then fine. I get diarrhea with anything over 4gs of Sugar, or around 30gs Sugar Alcohol. I know that there are studies that show that "sweet tastes" trigger and increase hunger. So for some, just eating a little something sweet, with the intention of "satisfying" their tastes, will actually lead to them being More Hungry. But, everyone doesn’t respond to the same "Trigger-Foods" that make them want more. Gotta figure out works Best for you! Best Wishes- Dx

Chuck, Splenda (of all the artificial sweeteners) is the only one "made out of" Sugar. It’s about twice as sweet as Saccharin but the process "fuffs it up" to measure about the same as sugar. Unlike other sweeteners, (An Sugar Alcohols) it passes straight on through the intestines, to the toilet, unchanged. - The molecules are not absorbed by the body. Right Now, the only place on the planet that makes it is a little factory down in South-West Alabama! It "bakes" better than any of the other sweeteners, is easier to measure, and has the Least "Bad Press" from the "Holistic / All Natural" Folk….who have terrible things to say about anything sweet that isn’t ‘organically grown fruit." Have the Greatest on the 14^th!! Best Wishes- Dx