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Oral Health
Green Tea And CoQ10 May Protect Against Gum And Heart Disease
Date: 07/05/09
It is estimated that 15 per cent of adults between 21 and 50 years old, and 30 per cent of adults over 50, have gum disease.
The main cause of gingivitis is plaque (or biofilm), a soft, sticky film that forms on the teeth when starches and sugars react with bacteria that is naturally present in the mouth. Plaque build-up occurs between the teeth and gums, in faulty fillings, and near poorly cleaned partial dentures, bridges, and braces. If not removed within 72 hours, plaque will harden into tartar that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing.
Gingivitis - the most common form of oral/dental disease - is characterised by inflammation and bleeding of the gums and because it is rarely painful in its early stages, it often goes unnoticed until severe irritation or receding gums occur.
Now researchers have found that consuming green tea may offer protection against gum disease.
Healthy gums in a cuppa
Researchers from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan suggest that the antioxidant catechins (polyphenolic antioxidant plant metabolites) in green tea may be responsible for the protective effects of green tea against gum disease. Previous research indicates that the antioxidant has anti- inflammatory effects, and gum disease has been linked to an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth.
Lead researcher Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki and his colleagues recruited 940 men aged between 49 and 59, and analysed if green tea consumption had any effect on the incidence of gum disease, as measured using periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue.
The researchers reported their findings in the Journal of Periodontology and wrote that men who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health than their peers who drank less green tea. They found that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a 0.023-mm decrease in the mean PD, a 0.028-mm decrease in the mean CAL, and a 0.63 per cent decrease in BOP. The researchers suggest that the antioxidant catechins may interfere with the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, thereby promoting periodontal health, and warding off further disease.
Commenting on the study, Dr. David Cochran, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) said: ‘Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body. That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea - something already known to possess certain health-related benefits.’
This study adds to the ever-growing body of science supporting the anti-cancer benefits and other health benefits of green tea and its polyphenols.
Gingivitis and Heart Disease
There is also a clear association between gum disease and heart disease. A 2004 study found that 91 per cent of patients with cardiovascular disease also suffered from moderate to severe periodontal disease. While people with gum disease have a 25 per cent greater risk of heart disease than those with healthy gums, researchers have only recently begun to uncover possible causes for this link.
It is now believed that gum disease, which is inflammatory, causes the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, which triggers a systemic inflammatory response. Atherosclerosis is also an inflammatory disease, and many of the same factors that increase risk for heart disease also increase risk for gum disease, including C- reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and cholesterol.
This theory was supported by a recent study involving 5000 participants, which showed that oral inflammatory markers entering the bloodstream encouraged systemic inflammation. This large study also confirmed that periodontal disease and body mass index are jointly associated with increased levels of CRP in assessing the risk of heart disease.
Luckily green tea has also shown to have some heart health benefits. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan investigated data of more than 400,000 participants aged 40 to 79 years. These individuals were followed for 11 years, and the death rates from heart disease, cancer and other causes were analyzed. Researchers found that the heart disease death rate from participants who drank more than five cups of green tea daily was 26 per cent lower in the first seven years of study. In addition, researchers found that the benefits of green tea appeared to be stronger in women than men. Furthermore, green tea was particularly associated with a reduction in the risk of stroke. The results of this study were published in the Journal of American Medical Association in September 2006.
Two birds with one stone
Along with green tea, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - a vital nutrient needed by every cell in the body to make energy - is beneficial for a variety of diseases and disorders, including periodontal disease.
In addition to energy production, CoQ10 plays a vital role as an antioxidant at the cellular level by neutralizing free radicals. As early as the 1970s, researchers found that gum tissue in people with periodontal disease was often deficient in CoQ10. Subsequent studies have shown that CoQ10 doses of 50 mg to 75 mg a day can halt deterioration of the gums and allow healing to occur, sometimes within days of starting therapy. In one double-blind trial, 50 mg per day of CoQ10 was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms of gingivitis after three weeks of treatment.
Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, clinical cardiologist and author, reports that many of his patients see improvements in their gum health after beginning CoQ10 supplementation for heart disease. According to research by Dr. Sinatra, CoQ10's supportive effects on the immune system in general account for its ability to promote healing in diseased gums. Dr. Victor Zeines, a holistic dentist, recommends 100 mg a day of CoQ10 in combination with other supplements to help reverse gum disease naturally.
So the conclusion on our side is: If you want to protect your gums add some green tea and CoQ10 and if you want to protect your heart add some...yep, green tea and CoQ10.
Related Reading:
Avoid Periodontitis With These Healthy Habits
Heart Disease: The Hidden Culprit Behind Heart Disease - And How You Can Fight It
Gingivitis Treatment: Natural Remedies To Help Your Gums
Sources:
Back to topThe main cause of gingivitis is plaque (or biofilm), a soft, sticky film that forms on the teeth when starches and sugars react with bacteria that is naturally present in the mouth. Plaque build-up occurs between the teeth and gums, in faulty fillings, and near poorly cleaned partial dentures, bridges, and braces. If not removed within 72 hours, plaque will harden into tartar that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing.
Gingivitis - the most common form of oral/dental disease - is characterised by inflammation and bleeding of the gums and because it is rarely painful in its early stages, it often goes unnoticed until severe irritation or receding gums occur.
Now researchers have found that consuming green tea may offer protection against gum disease.
Healthy gums in a cuppa
Researchers from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan suggest that the antioxidant catechins (polyphenolic antioxidant plant metabolites) in green tea may be responsible for the protective effects of green tea against gum disease. Previous research indicates that the antioxidant has anti- inflammatory effects, and gum disease has been linked to an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth.
Lead researcher Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki and his colleagues recruited 940 men aged between 49 and 59, and analysed if green tea consumption had any effect on the incidence of gum disease, as measured using periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue.
The researchers reported their findings in the Journal of Periodontology and wrote that men who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health than their peers who drank less green tea. They found that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a 0.023-mm decrease in the mean PD, a 0.028-mm decrease in the mean CAL, and a 0.63 per cent decrease in BOP. The researchers suggest that the antioxidant catechins may interfere with the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, thereby promoting periodontal health, and warding off further disease.
Commenting on the study, Dr. David Cochran, president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) said: ‘Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body. That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea - something already known to possess certain health-related benefits.’
This study adds to the ever-growing body of science supporting the anti-cancer benefits and other health benefits of green tea and its polyphenols.
Gingivitis and Heart Disease
There is also a clear association between gum disease and heart disease. A 2004 study found that 91 per cent of patients with cardiovascular disease also suffered from moderate to severe periodontal disease. While people with gum disease have a 25 per cent greater risk of heart disease than those with healthy gums, researchers have only recently begun to uncover possible causes for this link.
It is now believed that gum disease, which is inflammatory, causes the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, which triggers a systemic inflammatory response. Atherosclerosis is also an inflammatory disease, and many of the same factors that increase risk for heart disease also increase risk for gum disease, including C- reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and cholesterol.
This theory was supported by a recent study involving 5000 participants, which showed that oral inflammatory markers entering the bloodstream encouraged systemic inflammation. This large study also confirmed that periodontal disease and body mass index are jointly associated with increased levels of CRP in assessing the risk of heart disease.
Luckily green tea has also shown to have some heart health benefits. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan investigated data of more than 400,000 participants aged 40 to 79 years. These individuals were followed for 11 years, and the death rates from heart disease, cancer and other causes were analyzed. Researchers found that the heart disease death rate from participants who drank more than five cups of green tea daily was 26 per cent lower in the first seven years of study. In addition, researchers found that the benefits of green tea appeared to be stronger in women than men. Furthermore, green tea was particularly associated with a reduction in the risk of stroke. The results of this study were published in the Journal of American Medical Association in September 2006.
Two birds with one stone
Along with green tea, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - a vital nutrient needed by every cell in the body to make energy - is beneficial for a variety of diseases and disorders, including periodontal disease.
In addition to energy production, CoQ10 plays a vital role as an antioxidant at the cellular level by neutralizing free radicals. As early as the 1970s, researchers found that gum tissue in people with periodontal disease was often deficient in CoQ10. Subsequent studies have shown that CoQ10 doses of 50 mg to 75 mg a day can halt deterioration of the gums and allow healing to occur, sometimes within days of starting therapy. In one double-blind trial, 50 mg per day of CoQ10 was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms of gingivitis after three weeks of treatment.
Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, clinical cardiologist and author, reports that many of his patients see improvements in their gum health after beginning CoQ10 supplementation for heart disease. According to research by Dr. Sinatra, CoQ10's supportive effects on the immune system in general account for its ability to promote healing in diseased gums. Dr. Victor Zeines, a holistic dentist, recommends 100 mg a day of CoQ10 in combination with other supplements to help reverse gum disease naturally.
So the conclusion on our side is: If you want to protect your gums add some green tea and CoQ10 and if you want to protect your heart add some...yep, green tea and CoQ10.
Related Reading:
Avoid Periodontitis With These Healthy Habits
Heart Disease: The Hidden Culprit Behind Heart Disease - And How You Can Fight It
Gingivitis Treatment: Natural Remedies To Help Your Gums
Sources:
‘Relationship Between Intake of Green Tea and Periodontal Disease’ by Mitoshi Kushiyama, Y. Shimazaki, M. Murakami, Y. Yamashita, published in Journal of Periodontology Vol. 80, No. 3, Pages 372-377, 2009
‘Gingivitis’ published online 21/02/2006, lef.org
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