Church News
| New Testament Church Health Tip - 11/4/2013 |
|
New Testament Church Health Tip Volume 5, Number 2
Please note: the New Testament Church Health Tips are for information purposes only. It is not for diagnosis or treatment of any condition. If you have an illness, injury or other symptoms please consult with your health care provider immediately.
Your Mouth, Not the Number of Eggs You Eat Leads to Heart Disease
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health completed a study on 428 New York City/Northern Manhattan Borough residents, collecting over 5,008 plaque or gum samples on them over a 3 year period. During this time the residents were monitored for changes in the thickness in the lining of their carotid arteries that leads to the development atherosclerosis or hardening of the blood vessels in both the heart and brain, changes in inflammation marker Interleukin 1B, and the for the presence of 11 bacteria known to cause deterioration of the teeth and gums
Those who had the highest number of bacteria known to cause periodontal also had an increase in the thickness of the lining of their carotid artery (the large blood vessel in the neck). The increased thickness leads to narrowing of the opening of the artery and decreased blood flow-a precursor of strokes (brain infarct-death of brain tissue). These findings remained the same regardless of history of diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, etc.
These findings agree with previous studies looking at how these same 11 bacteria lead to blockages in the blood vessels of the heart, leading to heart attacks.
Brushing, flossing and irrigating your teeth at least twice a day is not just about having a pretty smile it’s about keeping your brain and heart healthy.
References
Desvarieux M, Demmer RT, Rundek, T, et. al. Periodontal Microbiota and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study (INVEST) Circulation 2005; 111:576-582.
Burke AS, Trapp WM, Matsumura NL. Relationship between Professional Dental Care In Childhood and Coronary Heart Disease in Adulthood in a Single Urban Dental Clinic. Oral Health Preventive Dentistry 2012;12(1):47-51.
|
|
|
