4 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Sugar alcohols aren’t sugars or alcohol DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently was diagnosed as being prediabetic and told to watch my sugar intake. So I now read the nutrition facts on packages. However, I am confused about the listed sugars. Sometimes the label includes both “sugar” and “sugar alcohols.” For instance, a package can read “sugars 1 g” and “sugar alcohols 11 g.” Would my sugar intake be 1 g or 12 g? What is the difference, and what should I avoid/limit? — B.D. ANSWER: First, congratulations on reading labels. There is a lot of good information to be found that can help you decide whether some- thing is a healthy food for you. That being said, sugar alcohols are con- fusing. SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Cupid is strong in the Aries aspect this week, with the cherub opening roman- tic possibilities for single Lambs, and strengthening ties ‘twixt loving pairs already in a caring relationship. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your dramatic flair might make things more interesting as you recount an event to your colleagues. But be care- ful not to exaggerate reality to the point that facts and fancy combine to form fiction. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You love to talk, and this week you should get lots of chances to share your thoughts with people who will not only pay attention to what you have to say, but will want to hear more. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The pattern of recent changes could begin Sugar alcohols have nothing to do with the type of alcohol in beer, wine or spirits, and they aren’t sug- ars either. A sugar alcohol, such as sorbitol or xylitol, is an incomplete- ly absorbed carbohydrate. Since they are incompletely absorbed, you get only some of the calories, and your blood sugar goes up less than if you had had the same amount of sweetness with regular sugar. A rough but reasonable rule of thumb is to count about half the grams of sugar alcohol as sugar, for the pur- poses of counting sugar grams. So in your example, it would be about 6.5 grams of sugar. You might wonder what happens to the unabsorbed sugar alcohol. It continues through your GI tract and acts as a laxative. Some people are very sensitive and will have diarrhea with just a little sugar alcohol; oth- ers tolerate more. DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been suffering for many years from mis- erable episodes of perineal pain related to my benign, enlarged prostate. My urologist’s recommen- dation of NSAIDs and sitz baths has afforded very limited relief. I would appreciate any suggestions you have to offer. — J.S.K. ANSWER: I see a lot of people with benign enlargement of the prostate, and the most common symptoms are inability to empty the bladder easily and having to urinate frequently. Persistent pain would make me concerned that the prostate enlargement is not the cause, or not the only cause, of the pain. I would think carefully about a bladder stone, chronic inflammation of the prostate and interstitial cystitis as a short list. Chronic pelvic pain is a condition much more frequently encountered in women, and there are specialists in evaluating just that complex problem. Men can get chronic pelvic pain too, and I am concerned that it often is assumed to be due to the prostate, when there are many other possibilities. It’s time for you to be re-evaluated. The booklet on the prostate gland discusses treatments for enlarge- ment as well as cancer. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach — No. 1001, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. to shift from mostly workplace-related events to more personal matters. Continue to keep an open mind as you prepare to deal with them. LEO (July 23 to August 22) An opportunity for work-related travel could be just what the Terrific Tabby needs to get a new perspective on a balky situation. The trip also could prove to be personally rewarding. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might want to suggest resolv- ing an old disagreement before it can affect a matter expected to come up for discussion. It’s always best to start with a clean slate. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) The week favors combining dol- lops of creativity and practicality to work out both professional and per- sonal problems. A longtime friend could have something of note to sug- gest. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Some surprising facts could come to light if you decide to probe deeper into an “opportunity” than you might usually do. What you’ll learn could determine what you’ll earn. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Someone close to you might seek your counsel. Hear him/her out, but hold the line at giving actual advice until you get credible answers to all your questions. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) What seems to be an over- whelming workplace project can be dealt with quite well if you handle one category at a time. Things will soon begin to fall into place. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A personal matter might need more of your time than you had expected. Try to prioritize between your many outside commitments and your domestic responsibilities. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A developing situation still needs more time to grow, and more time to study before you can plunge in and make some attention-getting waves. Patience is best for wise Pisceans. Siuslaw N ews ! AD IT DAY E R TO www. the siuslawnews.com E -E DITION • S PORTS • T OP S TORIES • O BITUARIES • W EATHER • F ORUMS • B LOGS