Xylitol for Sinus Infections

Sinus infections can be a recurring nuisance. They can linger for weeks, and once they're gone, they can return without warning. This can mean expensive trips to the doctor and rounds of antibiotics and other medications. Thankfully, xylitol, a natural sugar found in our own bodies, has shown to be an effective alternative cure.

Facts

Sinuses are hollow cavities within the head. They're located around the eyes and nose, and they're responsible for keeping the membranes of the nose and throat moist. Each sinus has an opening into the nose, allowing for mucus and air to pass through and clean the membranes. However, if one of the passageways gets blocked, it can allow for bacteria to build up, leading to a possible infection.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sinus infection can often be confused with those of a cold, flu or allergy. The most common complaint associated with sinus infections is pain or pressure in the sinus cavities. Pain is typically felt around the eyes, but it can also stretch into the ears, cheekbones, neck, teeth or sides of the head. A thick mucus discharge is usually present. Other symptoms of a sinus infection may include cough, fatigue, fever and sore throat.

Treatment

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol reduction made from the wood sugar xylose. Many fruits and vegetables contain xylitol, and our bodies produce about 15 grams of it each day. Xylitol looks like sugar and has essentially the same chemical makeup, except its five-carbon structure makes it effective in treating sinus infections.

When added to a saline nasal spray, xylitol enters the sinus cavities and serves to moisten and clean the membranes with one important difference. Bacteria can't metabolize xylitol due to its unique carbon structure. This kills the bacteria and cures infection. Continuing to use the xylitol spray will even prevent future occurrences of sinus infections or at least lessen the effects of those that do develop.

Benefits

Aside from curing sinus infections and all their assorted symptoms, xylitol is also a wonderful sugar substitute, especially for those suffering from diabetes, and has demonstrated remarkable ability to fight tooth decay.

Warnings

Since it's a natural product found in our bodies, xylitol is perfectly safe in small doses of less than 15 grams. Even when ingesting doses of more than 100 grams, xylitol has shown little or no adverse effects, with the most severe complaint being some mild diarrhea.