Sugar Alcohol Question

stefgray · September 6, 2007

Hi everyone. So far, so good...3+ months out and just over 48 lbs lost. I feel great and am exercising nearly every day. My question is - I chew a lot of sugar free gum. I also have been having problems with my stomach for the last two weeks or so. I saw where someone else called it "unconstipation". That is a very good way to describe what happens to me. It's several times a day, very nasty and somewhat painful. It just occurred to me in the last few days that it could be from the gum. I've always been sensitive to the sugar alcohol in SF candy, etc., but never really thought about the gum. Is it possible? Any opinions?

Thanks!

Stephanie

Mary-2b150 · September 7, 2007

I think it's totally possible! Sometimes I'll just have a bite or two of something with sugar alcohol, and .... egads! <br /> <br /> Definitely try cutting it out and seeing if it helps. Goodluck!

Congrats on the weight loss, and great job on exerising every day.. you are an inspiration!!

Mary-2b150 · September 7, 2007

I did some googling, and found this:

Stomach Pain From Gum

Susan Charmain · September 7, 2007

What is sugar alcohol?

Mary-2b150 · September 7, 2007

What is sugar alcohol?

They are a sort of artificial form of sugar. They are similar to sucrose, but with an -OH group added to the end (an alcohol group).. This makes them taste similar to sugar but our bodies don't absorb/digest them, really.. so they pretty much go right through you! Unfortunately, this creates some interesting side effects in the bathroom, such as diarrhea, bloating, and major gas issues.

You find them in a lot of "low-carb" candy bars or Proteins shakes.< /p>

stefgray · September 9, 2007

Thanks for the look-up, Mary. I have been laying off the gum now since I posted the original note and have still had the stomach problems. I guess that wasn't it, but now need to work on narrowing it down. Steph