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Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

sciencedaily.com

41–50 of 66 posts

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#41
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does? I wonder, what it does to the gut biome then

It's already bad for your cardiovascular system. It's food as a mouth wash but don't swallow it, especially at the recommended doses of 3+ mouthwash per day with 3-5g each time

The recent study on it gave the subjects a 300mL "standardized, artificially sweetened beverage containing 30g of xylitol diluted in water."

Recommended amount is 5–10g per day (5 pieces of 100% xylitol gum, 36% is already effective), taken after meals.

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#42
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean some fetishes have science behind why they exist. For example, the part of the brain that process feet is located next to the area that processes genitals. At least, some are explainable. Some are not.

Well, if natural selection had a say, the only fetish anyone would have would be an impregnation fetish. (Only half joking.)

Natural selection had a say in female mammals leaking blood trails every month, which is, mildly said, fcking stupid. Natural selection does not create optimal beings, it creates stuff that, somehow, kinda, works. If you have the time for it, I highly recommend the lecture series on behavioral evolution by Robert Sapolsky, it's on the Stanford YouTube channel.

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#43
post #32

Alternative form of delivery required for Singapore.

Chewing gum in Singapore is a bit like medical marijuana was in California. Possession and use of chewing gum is legal. Importation for personal consumption is also legal. Selling and importing in commercial quantities are banned.

Ah, a real delicacy then

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#44
post #8
post #7

Tangentially related, apparently xylitol gum can reduce cavity risk by killing off bacteria (which cannot digest but cannot differentiate xylitol from regular sugar) in the mouth.

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-phosphate. Once they realize that they need to get rid of it, they convert it back to xylitol (so it can cross the membrane easier and probably to keep the phosphate). Of course, that means the xylitol is back to fool some other nearby bacteria into wasting its…

Wouldn’t this also be a problem for gut flora?

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#46
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-phosphate. Once they realize that they need to get rid of it, they convert it back to xylitol (so it can cross the membrane easier and probably to keep the phosphate). Of course, that means the xylitol is back to fool some other nearby bacteria into wasting its…

Wouldn’t this also be a problem for gut flora?

Excessive xylitol consumption causes digestive problems, yes.

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#47
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-phosphate. Once they realize that they need to get rid of it, they convert it back to xylitol (so it can cross the membrane easier and probably to keep the phosphate). Of course, that means the xylitol is back to fool some other nearby bacteria into wasting its…

Wouldn’t this also be a problem for gut flora?

Not just gut flora. High levels of circulating xylitol (and erythritol for that matter) have been shown in both mouse models and humans to be associated with increased platelet reactivity and elevated 3-year risk of major cardiovascular events.

But we're talking significant levels of xylitol/erythritol, such as from keto-friendly ice cream and drinks, not the modest levels from chewing gum, and the dental benefits are well established.

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#48
post #8
post #7

Tangentially related, apparently xylitol gum can reduce cavity risk by killing off bacteria (which cannot digest but cannot differentiate xylitol from regular sugar) in the mouth.

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-phosphate. Once they realize that they need to get rid of it, they convert it back to xylitol (so it can cross the membrane easier and probably to keep the phosphate). Of course, that means the xylitol is back to fool some other nearby bacteria into wasting its…

I swish xylitol crystal after each meal for five minutes and then spit out. I no longer have plague on my lower bottom teeth, a problem area for most people. I like the fresh minty feel afterward as well. Wish I had learn about this earlier.

Re: Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight HPV and other microbes

#50
post #42
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, if natural selection had a say, the only fetish anyone would have would be an impregnation fetish. (Only half joking.)

Natural selection had a say in female mammals leaking blood trails every month, which is, mildly said, fcking stupid. Natural selection does not create optimal beings, it creates stuff that, somehow, kinda, works. If you have the time for it, I highly recommend the lecture series on behavioral evolution by Robert Sapolsky, it's on the Stanford YouTube channel.

It's stupid from a practical perspective but the energy required to build up the uterine lining and tear it down on a (basically-)monthly basis is much lower than its upkeep
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