Certain Mouth Bacteria Signal Pancreatic Cancer, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2011) — Particular types of mouth bacteria, some of which are found in gum disease, are associated with the development of pancreatic cancer, indicates a small study published online in the journal Gut.

The finding opens up the possibility of curbing the progress of one of the most difficult cancers to treat, by altering the balance of bacteria, say the authors. Pancreatic cancer usually spreads very quickly, and only around one in 20 patients is still alive five years after diagnosis.

The authors base their findings on an initial comparison of the bacteria found in the spit of 10 patients with pancreatic cancer, which had not yet spread, and 10 healthy people, matched for age and sex.

They found significant differences between the bacterial colonies in the two groups, with 31 additional species and 25 fewer species in the spit of the cancer patients.

They then checked spit samples from a further 28 pancreatic cancer patients and 28 healthy people to verify their findings.

And they checked tissue samples from 28 patients with chronic inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis), which is associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Among six suspicious species, two --Neisseria elongata and Streptococcus mitis -- showed up significantly less often in the mouths of the cancer patients than in those of their healthy peers, while levels of another species -- Granulicatella adjacens -- were significantly higher.

The combination of N Elongata and S mitis accurately differentiated between healthy patients and those with cancer in more than 80% cases.

Furthermore, they found similar differences in the prevalence ofS mitis and G adjacens between the chronic pancreatitis samples and the spit of healthy people.

It is as yet unclear whether the presence of particular types of bacteria are a cause or effect of pancreatic cancer, say the authors. But their findings back previous research, which has implicated bacteria in the development of pancreatic diseases.

They go on to suggest that levels of certain bacteria could be used as a non-invasive and credible screen for pancreatic cancer, with the promise of earlier detection for a disease that has no clear symptoms in its early stages.

Xylitol to Control Cavities – The Smart Sugar

Xylitol is a natural sugar – “the good sugar”. Xylitol is found in the birch raspberries, plums, strawberries, corn, and other plants. Xylitol was discovered in Germany in 1891. It began to increase in popularity in Finland. Though found in tree barks and some plants, it is also manufactured in the human body during carbohydrate metabolism.

Finnish researchers studied meal replacements with Xylitol and found among other statistics: chewing 6.5 grams of Xylitol chewing gum for only 5 minutes a day reduced cavities by 85%!

The Finnish studies led to use of Xylitol products in the school system and in army rations among other programs.

Americans consume on average ½ cup sugar per day. Americans have an estimated annual sugar consumption of 150 pounds per year.  Large amounts of sugar leads to diabetes, obesity, increased blood pressure, increases in high density lipoproteins, heart disease, dental caries, and periodontal disease.

Many say that sugar is the “white poison” as it affects our metabolism in so many negative ways.

An interesting side effect of dental research on Xylitol was that Xylitol reduced ear infections, allegedly related to upper respiratory infective bacteria, therefore reducing the need for antibiotics.

Xylitol nasal sprays were developed after seeing dental research benefits

Dental relevance: Xylitol reduces bacterial plaque mass, reduces biofilm (the film of bacteria that forms in our mouths daily), reduces the acid environment, inactivates the bacteria’s ability to produce acid to form cavities, and increases saliva flow (with Xylitol containing gum). Xylitol also promotes remineralization of the tooth enamel so some early cavities can be reversed.

Method of Use – The 5x5 Rule

Xylitol works best when it is “exposed” to the mouth in 5 gram amounts and five times a day. This may seem a lot but it can easily be achieved with the use of Xylitol mints, chewing gum, and rinses. Xylitol can also be used as a sweetener in your food and drinks.

Xylitol can be found at most health food stores such as Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppes, and can be found on line at the following links:

www.xylipro.com

This is an excellent, informative site. But their products can only be ordered online.

www.xlear.com

This is line of Spry products; many found at Whole Foods.

www.bfreshgum.com

These products similar to Spry, but not as diverse.

www.spiffies.com

An entire product line focusing on childhood prevention/eradication of dental caries by use of Xylitol wipes and sprays.

We hope you will consider these products to improve your oral and systemic health.

Please let us know if you would like us to carry any of these products.

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