"Sugar Alcohols"
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband has diabetes, so I read food labels carefully. Often, I see "sugar alcohols" listed. What are they? Are they sugar, and should he not eat foods with them? I've been ignoring them, but I am beginning to wonder if I'm doing the right thing. B.K.
ANSWER: Sugar alcohols are neither sugar nor alcohol, and the name confuses people. They're found in many "sugar-free" foods as the sweetener. Their chemical structure looks a little like a sugar and a little like an alcohol, but that's as close as they get to being either.
These substances can raise blood sugar a bit, but the rise is slow. They contain from 0.2 to 2.5 calories per gram. Sugar (carbohydrate) has 4 calories per gram.
You can safely ignore them if a food contains less than 10 grams of sugar alcohol.
If there's more than 10 grams of sugar alcohol in a product, take half the amount of listed sugar alcohol and deduct that from the total grams of carbohydrate listed on the label. That'll give you the carbohydrate load of the food.
Names of sugar alcohol include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol and isomalt. Many sugarless gums contain sugar alcohol. The kind I chew has 1 gram of sugar alcohol in each stick.
The diabetes booklet explains the ins and outs of diabetes and its treatment. Readers who would like a copy can order one by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 402W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Canada with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 34 and began walking to lose weight. I lost the weight, but I have continued to walk. Where I walk, there are many people, much older than I, who whiz by me. I have tried to run, but I get too winded to continue far. What can I do? D.J.
ANSWER: You've changed your goals. Now you want to be a runner. Start the change by mixing in a little running with your walking. Run for a short distance, a distance that doesn't make you breathless. Then shift back to walking.
As the weeks go by, increase the time you run and decrease the walking time. You'll be running the whole route within a year.
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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You mentioned involuntary eyelid closing without mentioning its cause or treatment. My wife has this condition, and I would appreciate your providing the answers we need. -- H.E.
ANSWER: The condition is blepharospasm (BLEFF-uh-row-SPAZ-um) -- uncontrollable, rapid eyelid blinking that virtually blinds a person. Or the eyelids can be locked tightly closed. The cause is a disruption in the brain center that controls eyelid muscles. Botox injections, by weakening eyelid muscles, can often stop the blinking. Medicines can also be prescribed.
Your wife should see a neurologist or an ophthalmologist (an eye doctor).
Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.
(c) 2007 North America Syndicate
All Rights Reserved
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