DR. WEIL: Tests back silicone cookware

By Dr. Weil

Published January 5, 2009 at 6 p.m.

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Is silicone cookware safe?

Silicone is a synthetic rubber that contains bonded silicon - a natural element, abundant in sand and rock - and oxygen. Although I still prefer stainless cookware, silicone kitchen products seem to be everywhere these days.

You can now get cheery, brightly colored cake pans, muffin tins, colanders, potholders, baking mats, ice cube trays, pastry brushes, spoons, cake pans, and even roasting pans made out of silicone. Sales of these products have mushroomed into the millions. The advantages of silicone include heat resistance, flexibility, the fact that it can go directly from the oven or microwave into the refrigerator or freezer, and that it is generally easy to clean. Silicone containers also are environmentally friendly: The snap-on lids can eliminate the need for plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Silicone appears to be safe. It is an inert material - nothing used in its manufacture will leach into foods. So far, no safety problems have been reported, but if you're concerned, stick to silicone kitchen tools (such as spatulas) and avoid bakeware.

You might be interested in an assessment by The New York Times food writer Marian Burros about the usefulness of silicone cookware. Burros reported that the baking pans are not as nonstick as you might think: She found that you do have to grease them if you want your cakes and muffins to slide out unscathed. But she gave a rave review to potholders that double as trivets, mitt-type potholders, and a spatter screen that she found actually did prevent grease from speckling the stove top.

When you buy silicone products, make sure you get good-quality ones that don't contain any filler. Burros recommended pinching and twisting a flat surface to see if white shows through - if so, filler has been used.

I have burning mouth syndrome. Is there anything you can recommend? No one seems to know much about this disorder.

Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by intense burning pain in the mouth, often affecting the tongue and lips. Patients say it feels as if they've scalded their mouths by drinking something too hot. The syndrome has been associated with menopause, oral thrush, dry mouth (xerostomia), nutritional deficiencies, and psychological problems including anxiety and depression. It most commonly occurs among postmenopausal women, perhaps because of the effects of hormonal changes on the composition of saliva.

Drinking too many acidic drinks or brushing the tongue too often or too hard can also cause it.

If any of the disorders linked to burning mouth syndrome turns out to be the cause, dealing with the underlying problem is the best treatment. One natural remedy that helps heal irritated oral tissues is slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) in the form of lozenges, which you can take as needed to soothe pain. You will find them in most drug stores.

www.drweil.com

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