According to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Periodontology, researchers have found a significant correlation between healthy eating and healthy gums. Specifically, those people who were not overweight, consumed a nutritious diet, and regularly exercised with moderate intensity were 40% less likely to suffer from gum disease.
Of the over-12,000 people surveyed, only 3% of the people possessed all three traits (not being overweight, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly), but its interesting to note that as people added more of these traits to their arsenal, their periodontal health improved as well. Those people who possessed two of the traits were 29% less likely to suffer gum disease, and those who possessed only one of the three key traits were 16% less likely to suffer gum disease.
In statistics, there is a saying that goes like this: "Correlation is not necessarily causation." This means that, while the correlation is statistically significant, one must decide whether it is the healthy behavior that is the cause of the healthy mouth, or the healthy mouth the cause of the healthy behavior.
Researchers pointed out that there were a few possible factors contributing to this statistical relationship. Eating healthy foods (such as lots of fresh fruits and vegetables) tends to help scrub the plaque off of teeth before it can turn into tartar, which causes pockets in the gums where bacteria can take root. Also, it has been suggested that the increased circulation that comes from exercise may help to reduce inflammation.
The bottom line is that, whether the mouth is the window into the body or the body is the window into the mouth, it's just one other weapon to help you win the battle of the bulge. One measure of one's self is weight. We can step onto a scale once a day and see if we have gained, lost, or maintained weight in comparison to the previous day.
A scale can be "out of sight, out of mind," but your mouth never leaves you. The health of your teeth and gums, the lack of plaque and debris, and the freshness of your breath can be a constant reminder of the status of your overall health.
There are other dental health-related weight loss tips that you can use in conjunction with this periodontal health study.
1. Brush and floss your teeth immediately following each meal. Doing so will give you a clean mouth and fresh breath and you will be less likely to mess up your clean mouth by snacking on food prior to your next meal.
2. Use a strong, mint-flavored toothpaste, mouthwash, or both. The mint flavor does not mix well with many foods and flavors. Remember the last time you brushed your teeth and then finished off the glass of orange juice before rushing off to work? The very thought of that after-taste is enough to keep you from eating before your next meal.
An executive at the California Dental Association told me several years ago that, in his opinion, the biggest health crisis in this country was related to people not realizing that their oral health was so strongly related to their overall health. This new study seems to confirm his understanding of that relationship. The well-armed warrior will use this knowledge to his or her benefit in order to gain an advantage in fighting the "Battle of the Bulge."
References:
http://www.perio.org/
http://www.perio.org/
Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (http://www.perio.org/) and the Chief Technology Officer for WellnessPartners.com (http://www.perio.org/), an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), r+ alpha lipoic acid (R+ ALA), and green tea extract.
recurring maid service Wilmette ..I am somebody who has had an ongoing battle with... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
It can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan,... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With WeightsWorking out with weights... Read More
Gastric Bypass surgery is becoming increasingly more popular for the... Read More
As we look around at the current generation of children,... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
Diet tips for losing weight abound. Some are good, some... Read More
1. What is my BMI and how do I calculate... Read More
There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More
Are you one of the 90 million Americans who are... Read More
New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More
One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is that there... Read More
We know that children are becoming obese at an alarming... Read More
Natural Weight Loss Is PermanentOnly natural weight loss can be... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
How to burn fat fast is a question that burns... Read More
Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
Like many people I've been on dozens of diet plans... Read More
Ah the ever present battle to lose those unwanted pounds.... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More
Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..I made myself a sandwich today and thought I'd be... Read More
If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More
If I collected a dime for each time I've seen... Read More
You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More
One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More
Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
I have had some e-mails come in and everyone is... Read More
You and I know that getting plenty of support from... Read More
A bad day or even a bad week is not... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
College weight gain is at an all time high, and... Read More
Low carb beer and lite beer are two different animals.... Read More
I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning.... Read More
One pound of fat equals 3500 calories. Want to lose... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
An eating disorder is a life threatening condition that often... Read More
How's this for a diet: Take in fewer calories than... Read More
I was shocked. I started to cry...After the holidays, I... Read More
We have missed the boat and your boat is sinking... Read More
Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
Weight Loss |