Sugar alcohol (polyol) used as humectant, sweetener, and bulking agent. Poorly absorbed in GI tract — fermented by colonic bacteria producing gas and loose stools at higher doses. Osmotic laxative effect at doses >20g/day.
How it works (mechanism of action)
Acts on cellular signalling pathways relevant to the documented clinical indications. Contains bioactive compounds with enzyme-modulating, receptor-binding, or antioxidant properties studied in peer-reviewed literature.
LAXATIVE EFFECT at doses >10-20g/day — diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating. Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI): potentially problematic. Diabetes: safer than sucrose but affects glucose. Sorbitol intolerance: some individuals sensitive at very low doses. Accumulation in diabetic complications (aldose reductase pathway).