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Xylose (wood sugar), defined as an essential sugar saccharide of
the Pentose class, is an element vital to cellular communication.
Clinical research found xylose as one of the eight sugars crucial
to human nutrition. The others are galactose, mannose, N-acetylglusamine,
N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose, and sialic acid (also known as N-acetylneuraminic
acid).
At the jejunum area of the small intestine, xylose is absorbed
by a mechanism entirely different from that of glucose. Moreover,
Xylose absorption is not age dependent, although from medical tests
it appears that children exhibit slower absorption rates especially
when taken orally. As Xylose enters the bloodstream, it is quickly
distributed to the liver; metabolized and distributed to tissues
dependent on said nutrient for its formation, including the kidneys,
fat, and muscles.
Upon ingestion of xylose, the body retains 75-percent of the dose,
while the remaining 25-percent is excreted through the urine within
five hours. The amount of excreted Xylose however increases with
the frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables. This suggests
that Xylose competes with Aldopentoses (a type of monosaccharide;
each with five carbon atoms) in the reabsorptive transport to the
kidneys.
Failure of the body to absorb Xylose may result to any of the following
disorders including persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss,
suspected malnutrition and general weakness. A medical test is therefore
necessary to help evaluate the nutrient absorption troubles of the
intestines or from those that may be due to a disease of the pancreas.
Normal values indicate D-xylose to be found in the blood or urine;
and are therefore being absorbed by the intestines. Nevertheless,
abnormal results may be an indication of Crohn's disease, Giardia
Lamblia infestation, hookworm infestation, Lymphatic obstruction,
Radiation Enteropathy, small intestinal bacterial over growth, celiac
disease (sprue), viral gastroenteritis, and Whipple's Disease.
How is the test on xylose deficiency performed?
An initial blood and urine sample is taken, but it can only provide
conclusive results if administered following thorough preparation.
Initially, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink anything (water
included) for at least 8 to 12 hours prior to the test. It is also
recommended for patients who are about to undergo the test to resist
the intake of any drug and perform a few exercises before the test,
for these can influence the test results.
Patients will be required to drink a mixture of 25 grams of D-xylose
in 8 ounces of water. After 2 hours, a blood sample is collected
and if necessary another blood sample is again derived after 5 hours.
Urine excreted within a five-hour period is collected for the test.
This test when completed should provide conclusive evidence that
the intestine has the ability to absorb D-xylose, an indication
that nutrients are properly distributed throughout the body.
What are the risks encountered in a D-xylose deficiency test?
Risks are only pronounced in blood sampling and may vary depending
on an individual's state of health. Some may experience excessive
bleeding; others may feel lightheaded or even faint; hematoma (blood
accumulating under the skin) is also possible; or an infection (a
slight risk anytime a cut is made on the skin); and multiple punctures
to locate the veins.
D-xylose malabsorption syndrome is evident with individuals or
children who eat too much but fail to gain any weight despite feeding
patterns. This symptom should merit a trip to the laboratory for
a thorough check-up.
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