OT:Too Much Sugar-Free Gum Linked to Severe Weight Loss

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Too Much Sugar-Free Gum Linked to Severe Weight Loss - AOL Body

Chewing too much sugar-free gum containing the artificial sweetener

sorbitol can cause diarrhea leading to potentially dangerous weight

loss, German physicians report.

The cases of a 21-year-old woman who suffered diarrhea that caused

her to lose about 24 pounds and a 46-year-man who lost approximately

46 pounds because of diarrhea were mysteries until the doctors asked

about their chewing habits.

Both were found to be consuming a lot of sorbitol, primarily from

chewing gum, said Dr. Herbert Lochs, professor of internal medicine

at Humboldt University in Berlin, and one author of the report.

The answer solved the mystery, since heavy consumption of sorbitol

has long been associated with a risk of diarrhea, Lochs said.

" There have been case reports earlier, as far back as the 1980s, " he

said. " These were people who did not have malabsorbtion and

malnutrition. "

The risk is not as great for consumers in the United States, said Dr.

Bret Lashner, a gastroenterologist who is professor of medicine at

the Cleveland Clinic, since sorbitol is rarely used in chewing gum

here. The preferred artificial sweetener for chewing gum and candy

here is aspartame, sold as NutraSweet, Lashner said.

" NutraSweet and saccharin are safe, " he said. " Sorbitol is not safe.

People should look at the labels to see if they are getting something

with sorbitol. "

full article at Too Much Sugar-Free Gum Linked to Severe Weight Loss -

AOL Body

http://body.aol.com/condition-center/digestive-

disorders/news/article/_a/too-much-sugar-free-gum-linked-to-

severe/20080111092909990001