HOW TO PREVENT EAR INFECTIONS (OTITIS)
By Dr. Lon Jones, D.O.

         Ear infections are the most common illnesses affecting children. Many people think ear infections are caused by dietary deficiencies. Such deficiencies may be a secondary cause, but the primary cause of ear infections is harmful agents (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) in the nose - especially in the back of the nose where the Eustachian canal opens from the middle ear to the nose. Normally, the body produces mucus to trap and carry away these infectious agents. In fact, the human body produces about a quarter teaspoon of mucus every minute, which takes about 15 minutes to move from the front of the nose to the back where it is swallowed. When the nose senses these agents certain cells are irritated and release histamine, a chemical that opens some of the very small blood vessels causing them to leak plasma like fluid. This leakage is often felt as congestion or post-nasal drip. These symptoms are some of the most common reasons people take over-the-counter medication or see a doctor. Common treatments for these symptoms focus on blocking the histamine, or what it does, and are made up of antihistamines and decongestants. As pointed out elsewhere this is not a good idea because such treatment blocks the normal cleaning and leaves the nose more polluted with no effective way to clean the nose. There are about five times as many ear infections now as there was in 1970 when these drugs first became available without prescription. 
          Biologists and medical researchers that look closely at this process  have concluded, along with common sense, that our bodies are trying to wash away the irritants by bathing the cells in our nose with the fluid leaking from the blood vessels. Imagine the infection laden mucus in the back of the nose. Taking an antihistamine or a decongestant makes this mucus even thicker and dryer, causing it to take even longer to get rid of the harmful agents.
          There is hope in the war against ear infections. Studies have been performed by doctors in Finland using a food substance called xylitol. These studies show that if children consume enough xylitol, they have 40% fewer ear infections. The studies also determine that when xylitol is added to cells taken from the nose, the germs that cause ear infections cannot hold on to these cells as well. Bacteria have to be able to hold on before they can cause infection. Xylitol can be used as a type of soap for the nose. These studies were done using xylitol in gum and syrup form; xylitol is as sweet as table sugar and is a frequently used sugar substitute. The problem with xylitol used in syrup and gum is that a person would have to chew about 12 pieces of gum every day to reap the benefits. That is a lot of gum chewing to prevent 40% of ear infections. Fortunately, another benefit of chewing gum containing xylitol is that it also prevents cavities.
          In my practice, I have been able to reduce ear infections in a group of 10 children with chronic ear infections by more than 90% by using xylitol in a saline nasal spray. To prevent cavities, chew xylitol-containing gum. To prevent ear infections, put it where the infections start, in the nose. Regular nasal washing is essential, at least once or twice a day when you have no problems. Those with complete nasal blockage may need to use it more often. Applying xylitol in the nasal passages helps the immune system do what it is naturally designed to do, wash out mucus in the nose.