Xylitol sugar

My mom began working xylitol into their diet about a year ago after she found out how much healthier it was for you than regular sugar was. She didn't go straight to xylitol because your body has to get used to it.
I get magazine's from the health food store and I was looking through it the other evening and found this article on how good xylitol is especially for kids. The article is actually an advertisement for the new product they have called Xlear. It's not real long so I'll go ahead and type it in.

Combat Commom Childhood Ailment with new kids Xlear.
Some children suffer through rounds of runny noses, ear infections, sore throats and coughs, year- round. The multiple curses of antibiotics and other medications they are subjected to, often from an early age, increase their risk of developing allergies and asthma. Allergies and asthma, in turn, increase the child's vulnerability to further infections caused by constant inflammation and irritation in the respiratory tract...and so the cycle continues.

BEYOND HANDWASHES
Hand washing, we're told, is the best way to break the cycle of infectious illness. Washing often with soap and hot water for as long as it takes to sing a full round of the "ABCs" does make a big difference. If this isn't enough and pathogenic bugs find their way into the nasal passages, there's no avoiding the progression to runny noses, sore throat, and ear infection...or is there? Might there be a way to wash these bugs out of the nasal passages before the take hold and lead to unpleasant symptoms that keep kids home from school or make toddlers and infants (and, their parents) miserable?
Thankfully, now there is a way to fend off germs. It comes from Xlear, Inc. Saline Nasal spray. Their best selling saline nasal spray contains xylitol, and simple sugar that has documented, research-proven beneficial effects. Recently, Xlear introduced Kid's Xlear, a kids version of their spray with a child-friendly bottle.
Xylitol is a nutritional paradox as it is a natural sweetener that reduced bacterial growth. Used as a popular low calorie sweetener in shewing gums. xylitol stops bacteria from metabolizing sugar. Multiple studies have demonstrated that chewing gum containing xylitol helps prevent tooth decay. In fact dental experts are even encouraging school administrators to allow children to show this type of bacteria-busting gum in classrooms. Research has also shown xylitol to help reduce bacterial growth in the sinuses and nose.
In a study, oral xylitol in a syrup or in chewing gum form was found to reduce tooth decay and ear infections by 30 to 42 %, respectively: and the presence of xylitol was shown to reduce the adherence of bacteria to nasal tissue by 50 to 68%.
In the late 1990s, Xlear founder and nasal spray developer Dr. Alanzo Jones, D.O., a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at TTU Medical School, found that adding xylitol to a nasal spray was a sensible way to maintain good nasal hygiene. In his own research, Dr. Jones found that administering Xlear to 10 infants with chronic ear infections at each diaper change reduced the incidence of ear infections by an astonishing 90%.
Although a runny nose can be a real pain, it has a purpose: to dilute and detach pathogens and allergens and flush them out of the body and osmotic effect. Since most pathogens enter the body through the nose, this is an important defense against illness. When this doesn't happen, pathogens and allergens can go deeper, leading to bronchial, sinus, and ear congestion, irritation, or infection.
Xlear doesn't work by killing bacteria, and so doesn't cause bacterial resistance; instead, the science shows that Xlear acts in accordance with the body's natural mechanisms to enhance bacterial killing. It prevents allergens and certain bacteria from attaching to mucous membranes and aids in flushing those germs out. It gently moisturizes, cleanses and soothes dry, irritated nasal passages by hydrating the mucous membranes and encouraging the integrity of these tissues. Xlear helps to build the body's natural barriers to prevent bacteria, airborne contaminants and allergens from getting further into the body's system without causing side effects and isn't habit forming and for children of all ages.

MOTHERS WHO CHEW XYLITO GUM REDUCE CHILD'S RISK OF TOOTH DECAY
Several studies have found that when a mother shews xylitol gum during pregnancy or during her child's early years--particularly, when the child's first set of teeth is coming in--that child's risk of dental caries (tooth decay) is substantially reduced. this is believed to be due to a reduction of specific, tooth-destroying strains of strep bacteria in the mother's mouth. it stands to reason that future studies on the effect of maternal use of xylitol nasal spray on children's respirator health will likely show this could aid in reduced transmission of bacterial infection between mother and child.

I thought this was pretty good info. I would like to start using Xylitol in my family's diet but my husband is not quite ready for the change yet, but when the time is right he will be.

Hope this info helps you!!

Also here is a link telling you a little more about Xylitol....
http://www.xylitol.org/

Have a good day and be blessed!!!