Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to mention that last night while suffering with maltilol indigestion/gas, I took an acidolphilus capsule--and voila! the gas, etc. was gone in 30-45 minutes.

I used Solgar acidolphilus, refrigeration optional, but I'm sure it would work with any quality probiotic from the health food store, either refrigerated or refrig. optional such as Kyodolpilis brand.

Worth a try! It also makes me wonder what those sugar alcohols due to your intestinal health....

Have a great day,
Datahamstr (Leigh)

Thanks for letting us know! I wonder if it would work on my DH who is not lowcarbing!

Your very best bet is just to stay away from Maltitol completely. This stuff is metabolized by the body at almost the same rate sugar is, which means each and every carb in Maltitol counts. It's a darned shame, too, because Maltitol is used in most 'sugar-free' candies and desserts, and doesn't cause me any digestive upsets.

Maltitol, like most sugar alcohols, is a laxative. There is a prescription laxative called Lactitol which is two sugar alcohols combined. They just make the intestines contract and "move stuff along" faster. They don't do anything to the intestinal flor except move it on out.

If it doesn't give you gastrointestinal problems, that means your body's absorbing it and you need to count all those carbs!

Much better to avoid the stuff than to turn it into something digestible.

Hmmm... Eryrthinol gives me pretty bad gas and you only digest a tiny portion of it, something like .2%.

My sister claimed eating Bean-o with her bars that have sugar alcohol help her.

That's why I quit using it. I hate wasting my carbs on something like that. I can find a few candies with some of the not-so-digestible sugar alcohols, so picked up a few of those. We've never used many of the sugar alcohol products but try to be careful with the ones we do use.

I don't indulge in that stuff very often, but a dose of psyllium is another way to help ease the blow of sugar alcohols. I suspect it absorbs a lot of it.

I actually like the effect of the sugar alcohols, but that's probably because I'm chronically constipated. Ooh, TMI. Sorry.

I tried a new low carb ice cream and even though I had a small portion the effects weren't worth it. It's easy for me to remember...MALitol is BAD for me.

Yeah, I am a MALtitol sufferer, too. Means no ice cream this summer , or I will check out beano and see if it works. I know it works for my sister, who is lactose intolerant.

M

Was just reading Dana Carpender's great cookbook last night "500 low-carb recipes" and she specifically says, in the section on sugar alcohols, not to use Beano as then you would digest the carbs. She also said that she has seen people gain weight this way.
I believe a member replying to this thread mentioned this also.
I still think that acidolpholus is good for restoring the good bacteria in the gut, after eating maltilol, and psyllium fiber--as mentioned by a previous member-- would be good to take to wash any "toxins" out, possibly before taking the acidolpholus.
Datahamstr (Leigh)

You don't need to put up with malitol to enjoy ice cream.

One very easy and quick way to make some is take some frozen raspberries some heavy cream and a touch of Splenda if you wish..give it a whirl in a food processor. Couple of seconds and the whole thing turns into Raspberry ice cream. Delicious! You could do the same with any small (frozen) berries.

Hi Angeline

Thanks for the idea, I think I'll have to try it. But it is still fun going to the local Baskin Robbins and getting ice cream... There is also a frozen yoghurt place, but I think I had a *problem* with their product (probably maltitol).

M

I also have a small hand cranked ice cream maker that makes about 1-2 portions. It's amazingly easy. Pour in some heavy cream, a packet of Splenda, a little vanilla extract and crank away. The ice cream will be ready before the next commercial comes on. The small size is good because I have heard that low-carb ice cream (made with Splenda) does not keep in the freezer. It turns into a block of ice. So this is a perfect size for making only what you will eat. It also helps prevent overindulging!