Adding Fish and Nuts to Your Diet Can Protect You from Gum Disease
A study published in the November 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests that polyunsaturated fatty acids found in foods such as fatty fish and nuts, will help lower the risk of gum disease, including the more severe form—periodontitis.
The research which examined the diet of 182 adults in the US between 1999 and 2004 and found that those who consumed the highest amounts of fatty acids were a 30 percent less likely to develop gum disease and 20 percent less likely to develop periodontitis—severe gum disease.
According to lead researcher of the study, Dr Asghar Z. Naqvi of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, the n-3 fatty acids that are associated with the results are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Dr. Naqvi says that this finding opens up a vastly less expensive and safer method of preventing and treatment of severe forms of gum disease. Currently periodontitis is mostly treated with cleaning and local antibiotic application.
Adding EPA and DHA to your diet
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, DHA and EPA are found in cold water fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, shellfish, and herring. Bluefin tuna contains up to five times more DHA than other types of tuna.
Walnuts contain very high amounts of EPA and DHA compared to most other nuts. Other nuts including butternuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and hazelnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Other vegetarian and vegan sources of omega-3 fatty acids:
- Oils: Flaxseed oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Olive oil contains much smaller amounts. Canola oil is also a good source.
- Herbs and spices contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well as minerals. Omega-3 is found in cloves, oregano, mustard seeds, and flaxseeds.
- Green leaf vegetables such as spinach, green beans, romaine less, kale, brussel sprouts, and collard greens contain a good amount of omega-3.
- Berries: Strawberries contain the largest amount of omega-3compared to others. Smaller amounts are found in raspberries.
- Other vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, and squash can also add high levels of omega-3 to the diet.
You can find more about gum disease in Dental & Oral Health Problems>Gum Disease on FreeDentistFinder.com.
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