Warning over severe weight loss caused by chewing gum

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Public release date: 10-Jan-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/bmj-wos011008.php

Contact: Emma Dickinson

edickinson@...

44-9

BMJ-British Medical Journal

Warning over severe weight loss caused by chewing gum

Lesson of the week: Severe weight loss caused by chewing gum

In this week’s BMJ, doctors warn of excess sorbitol intake, a widely

used sweetener in “sugar-free” products such as chewing gum and sweets.

Sorbitol has laxative properties and is poorly absorbed by the small

intestine.

Their advice follows the cases of two patients with chronic diarrhoea,

abdominal pain and severe weight loss. Although extensive investigations

were carried out, final diagnosis was only established after detailed

analysis of eating habits.

On questioning, both patients admitted consuming substantial amounts of

sugar-free gum and sweets.

The first patient (a 21 year old woman) chewed large amounts of

sugar-free gum, accounting for a total daily dose of 18-20g sorbitol

(one stick of chewing gum contains about 1.25g sorbitol). The second

patient (a 46 year old man) reported chewing 20 sticks of sugar-free gum

and eating up to 200g of sweets each day, which together contained

around 30g sorbitol.

After both patients started a sorbitol free diet, diarrhoea subsided,

normal bowel movements resumed and weight gain was achieved.

As possible side effects are usually found only within the small print

on foods containing sorbitol, consumers may be unaware of its laxative

effects and fail to recognise a link with their gastrointestinal

problems, write the authors.

In conclusion, they say, our cases demonstrate that sorbitol consumption

can cause not only chronic diarrhoea and functional bowel complaints but

also considerable unintended weight loss (about 20% of usual body

weight). Thus, the investigation of unexplained weight loss should

include detailed dietary history with regard to foods containing sorbitol.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

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