Fish for a healthy mouth

If you want to keep your teeth intact, give strong to fish. U.S. researchers have just seen in a study that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish and fish oils, shellfish and seeds as well as green leafy vegetables could effectively prevent and treat periodontitis, a disease inflammatory joint in which the gum tissue is separated from the teeth, which leads to accumulation of bacteria and loss of bone and teeth.

Until now, treatments for this disease (gum disease) have focused their efforts in combating bacterial infection. However, the recent objective is to attack the inflammatory response. "The traditional treatment of periodontitis has primarily involved cleaning and local antibiotic application. Therefore dietary therapy, if effective, might be a less expensive and safer for its prevention and treatment," Asghar Z finds . Naqvi, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, USA) and author of the paper along with researchers from Harvard University.

But also, and "since there is evidence to suggest a role for omega-3 fatty acids in other chronic inflammatory diseases, it is possible that your intake for the treatment of piorra have the added benefit of preventing other chronic diseases associated with inflammation, including stroke, "he adds.

The essay, published in the latest Journal of the American Dietectic Association 'has had the participation of 9,000 adults who were involved between 1999 and 2004 in the famous National Survey of Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and were subjected to tests dental checkups. Researchers also inquired in dietary habits (including supplement intake) of participants through telephone interviews. They took into account other factors that could affect the results, such as cultural, demographic or lifestyle, among others.

"We found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are inversely associated with gum disease in the U.S. population," say the authors of the trial.

Apparently 8% of the study population have gum disease. However, the data confirms "a reduction of approximately 20% in the prevalence of the disease among those greater intake of omega 3 fatty acids."

Elizabeth Krall Kaye, a professor at Boston University (USA) and author of the editorial accompanying the study, ELMUNDO.es recognizes that "the most important conclusion is that even small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids may be good for the gums . levels is that people can get from foods high in these fats, without resorting to supplements, which is more complicated because many people drop their consumption. "

This expert also insists that the U.S. work is the first to show this association. "There is already an essay published by Japanese scientists in 'Journal of Nutrition' has reached similar results. Yet most studies looking for a link between consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lower risk of gum disease have been out supplements high in omega-3 and not with diet. "

Despite the data, remember, "more research is needed, particularly prospective studies that follow patients over time and evaluate the changes in periodontal disease in relation to consumption of omega-3".