Omega-3 protects against gum disease

Added 23.03.2010

Three out of every four adults in the UK has gum disease

Shocking as it may sound, three in every four adults over the age of 35 has gum disease, says the Gum Disease Information Bureau. Gum disease, or periodontal disease encompasses two main diseases: gingivitis and periodontitis. The most common symptoms include sore and bleeding gums while brushing teeth. Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss and a risk factor for heart disease and other chronic conditions.

DHA lowers risk of gum disease

But not to worry because the latest research show that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can protect you. It is one particular fatty acid called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that appears to offer the most protection. The researchers found that people with the lowest DHA levels had a 1.5 times higher incidence of periodontal disease compared to people with the highest levels of DHA. Researchers believe it is the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 that have this beneficial effect because gum disease is characterised by inflammation.

Doctor's Natural heavy metal-free omega-3 fish oil supplement is your ideal source of DHA and EPA fatty acids for dental, cardiovascular and overall health.

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Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:

Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth is something many of us experience and the worst thing is that this problem may be causing teeth to fall out! According to this study an amazing 75% of all adults seem to have this problem. The solution to this unpleasant problem is to either eat a lot of fish or take daily fish oil capsules. Unfortunately most fish contain toxic, heavy metals, especially mercury and in such high and toxic dosages that health authorities discourage pregnant women to eat some of the most commonly eaten fish because of the risk of birth defects to the foetus. High quality fish oil capsules on the other hand contain the right amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) fish oils but are 100% free of heavy toxic metals or other toxins and even contain small amounts of antioxidants that prevent the fish oil from oxidising. Unfortunately, today it is much safer to take fish oil capsules than to eat most fish, even though fish oil capsules do not taste very well! NEVER EVER get your fish oil from a bottle, as there is a high risk that the fish oil may have been oxidised (= very unhealthy).