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
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