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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!glacier!oliveb!3comvax!michaelm
From: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: left-handed sugar
Message-ID: <317@3comvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 31-Dec-85 19:21:58 EST
Article-I.D.: 3comvax.317
Posted: Tue Dec 31 19:21:58 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 2-Jan-86 04:42:28 EST
References: <851217151534.364613@HI-MULTICS.ARPA> <1598@Shasta.ARPA>
Reply-To: michaelm@3comvax.UUCP (Michael McNeil)
Distribution: net
Organization: 3Com Corp; Mountain View, CA
Lines: 35
Keywords: tooth decay, bacteria, left-handed molecules
Summary: Does left-handed sugar promote tooth decay?  No.

In article <1598@Shasta.ARPA> rsf@Shasta.UUCP (Ross Finlayson) writes:
>OK, my big question now is: does left-handed sucrose promote tooth decay?
>(I'm sorry that this has nothing to do with "space" anymore, but "enquiring
>minds want to know".)
>
>Ross Finlayson
>Stanford CS Dept.
>ARPA: rsf@su-pescadero.ARPA
>UUCP: ...!{decwrl,ucbvax}!Glacier!Shasta!rsf

I read recently (sorry, I don't remember where) that tooth decay
results from particular species of bacteria which consume sugar
in the mouth and then secrete an acid which attacks the teeth.  
Other species of bacteria eat sugar without secreting this acid.  

A proclivity towards tooth decay results from which species of
bacteria one is infected with (usually from the mother) early in
life.  Tooth decay is therefore a kind of "ecological" disease.  

This being the case, presumably bacteria as well as humans use
enzymes which are specific to the handedness of sugar.  Bacteria
which tried to eat left-handed sugar would starve or at least
wouldn't have the energy to secrete acid which attacks the teeth.  

-- 

Michael McNeil
3Com Corporation     "All disclaimers including this one apply"
(415) 960-9367
..!ucbvax!hplabs!oliveb!3comvax!michaelm

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