A diet full of fish and nuts goes a long way to protect people from gum disease, as indicated by a recent study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The research has suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids found in
foods such as fatty fish and nuts will help keep people’s smiles healthy
as it has been shown to help lower the risks of gum disease. The study
examined the diets of 182 adults during the years of 1999 to 2004 and
found that those who consumed the highest amounts of fatty acids were
30% less likely to develop gingivitis and 20% less likely to develop
periodontitis. Lead researcher Dr. Asghar Z. Naqvi of Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, Mass, said, “We found that n-3
[omega-3] fatty acid intake, particularly docosahexaenoic acid and
eicosapentaenoic acid are inversely associated with periodontitis in the
US population. To date, the treatment of periodontitis has primarily
involved mechanical cleaning and local antibiotic application. A dietary
therapy, if effective, might be a less expensive and safer method for
the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.” The following statement
was issued by chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation,
Dr. Nigel Carter: “This study shows that a small and relatively easy
change in people’s diet can massively improve the condition of their
teeth and gums, which in turn can improve their overall wellbeing.”
(Source: British Health Foundation news release, November 8, 2010)
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