Omega-3's Linked to a Lower Risk of Gum Disease
What are Omega-3 acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats that our bodies cannot make by themselves. Therefore, omega-3s must come from the things we eat, which is why it’s important to eat a balanced diet. Omega-3s are vital for metabolism and brain function and also help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help treat or prevent several conditions other than periodontal disease, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, talk to your health or dental professional before taking omega-3 supplements to make sure they’re right for you.
What role to Omega-3's play in preventing gum disease?
A Reuters.com article addressed this very subject. "People who consume a good amount of omega-3's -- the fatty acids predominantly found in oily fish -- may have a lower risk of developing gum disease," suggests the Reuters Heath study.
However, the researchers are hesitant to give omega-3's full credit just yet, as other factors might be involved, too. Advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, is a chronic inflammation caused by the accumulation of bacteria at the gum line. The condition can lead to bone and tooth loss. "The bacteria involved seem to need inflammation to grow," senior researcher Dr. Kenneth J. Mukamal of Harvard Medical School, Boston, told Reuters Health in an e-mail. "Indeed, anti-inflammatory treatment with omega-3's seems to help experimental periodontitis in rabbits. Our hope was to extend that to humans."
Read the full article at Reuters.com.