MCVitamins News

Your Nutritional Education Site

1. What are Statin Drug Side Effects?
2. Other Ways to Lower Cholesterol
3. A Simple Fix for Heartburn
4. Gingivitis, Gum Health Linked to Heart and Prostate Disorders

Other Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Clinical studies indicate that plant sterols can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine by up to 50%.

This can lower LDL when consumed as part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Read what Cholesterol is and What You Can do About it  Cholesterol

A Simple Fix for Heartburn

"Heartburn" (sometimes called acid indigestion or acid reflux) is a burning sensation, usually centered in the middle of the chest near or above the breastbone (the bone in the center of the chest). If you find you are experiencing heartburn, there may be a remedy that is as simple as changing what foods you eat together at the same meal.

Many people experience the discomfort of heartburn after eating a meal where animal protein and carbs are eaten together.

Protein is digested by stomach acid, carbohydrates begin digestion with the saliva in the mouth, which is alkaline [Definition: the opposite of acid], and continues the digestive process in the intestines, which are also alkaline.

When you combine alkaline and acid in your stomach, they neutralize each other. This slows the digestion, the food sits in your stomach decomposing and gives off gas that pushes back up your esophagus [Definition: the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach] and creates a burning sensation.

So, if you are experiencing this type of pain, try not mixing protein and carbs. Avoid eating bread, potatoes, rice, etc., with meat. Eat salad and non-starchy vegetables with meat, or salad and non-starchy vegetables with carbs. 

Try eating food this way for a while and see if it helps reduce or get rid of these painful symptoms.

Gingivitis, Gum Health Linked to Heart and Prostate Disorders

By Jim English, Tango Advanced Nutrition

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes gum tissues to pull away from the teeth, allowing bacteria to accumulate and triggering an inflammatory reaction that leads to the loss of bone tissues and teeth. In addition to the misery associated with the loss of one’s teeth, new research shows a positive link between the onset of periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, prostatitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Periodontitis occurs when bacteria gather and form a “biofilm” that coats tooth surfaces at or below the gum line. These bacteria emit toxins that cause the body to mount an inflammatory response that, in turn, begins to eat away at gum tissues, leading to gingivitis. Eventually, if the source of inflammation is not brought under control, the process can result in the destruction of supportive bone structures (alveolar bone) that play a critical role in anchoring teeth firmly in place. As these retaining tissues break down, once-firm teeth become loose, leading to increasing inflammation, loss of bone and eventually requiring extraction.

Inflamed, bleeding gums and loss of teeth are only part of the damage. Gum disease is essentially an open wound that allows bacteria and their toxins to enter the body.

Inflamed, bleeding gums and the loss of teeth, however, are only a part of the potential damage arising from periodontal disease. Gum disease is essentially an open wound that allows bacteria and their toxins to enter the body and cause widespread damage. Research has established that advanced periodontal disease contributes to atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Conversely, diabetes, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis have been shown to contribute to periodontal disease.

Gum Health and Periodontitis

While periodontitis is recognized as the most common form of chronic infection and inflammation in humans, the number of people in the United States afflicted with periodontitis turns out to be significantly higher than was originally believed. In a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study, a full-mouth, comprehensive periodontal examination of over 450 adults over the age of 35 was compared with the results of earlier studies that relied on only a partial-mouth periodontal examination. The recent study shows that the previous partial-mouth study methodology may have underestimated the true incidence of periodontal disease by up to 50 percent.(1)

According to Samuel Low, DDS, MS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, “This study shows that periodontal disease is a bigger problem than we all thought. It is a call to action for anyone who cares about his or her oral health. Given what we know about the relationship between gum disease and other diseases, taking care of your oral health isn’t just about a pretty smile. It has bigger implications for overall health, and is therefore a more significant public health problem.”

How ‘Jailbreaking’ Bacteria can Trigger Heart Disease

A growing body of research now links gum disease with the onset of heart disease, caused when plaque-causing bacteria from the mouth enter into the bloodstream and increase the risk of heart attack. According to Professor Howard Jenkinson of the University of Bristol, England, oral bacteria can wreak havoc if they are not kept in check by regular brushing and flossing. “Poor dental hygiene can lead to bleeding gums, providing bacteria with an escape route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots leading to heart disease,” he said.(2)

Streptococcus bacteria commonly live in the mouth, confined within communities termed “biofilms” that are responsible for causing tooth plaque and gum disease. Researchers have now shown that once let loose in the bloodstream, Streptococcus bacteria can use a protein, called PadA, as a weapon to force platelets in the blood to bind together and form clots.

Inducing blood clots is a selfish trick used by bacteria, Jenkinson points out. “When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection,” he said. “Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves (endocarditis), or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain.”

Professor Jenkinson said the research highlights a very important public health message. “People need to be aware that, as well as keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimize their risk of heart problems.”

Periodontal Disease Linked to Prostatitis

In addition to contributing to development of heart disease, researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine recently reported that initial results from a small sample shows that inflammation from gum disease and prostate problems just might be linked. In their paper, published in the official journal of the American Academy of Periodontology, the researchers described how they compared two unique markers for inflammation: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), which is widely used to measure inflammation levels in prostate disease, and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) of the gums and teeth, an indicator of periodontitis.

A PSA blood level of 4.0 ng/ml in the blood can be a sign of inflammation or malignancy, and patients with healthy prostate glands have lower than 4.0 ng/ml levels. A CAL number greater than 2.7 mm indicates periodontitis.

Like periodontitis, prostatitis also produces high inflammation levels. “Subjects with both high CAL levels and moderate to severe prostatitis have higher levels of PSA or inflammation,” stated Nabil Bissada, chair of the department of periodontics in the dental school. Bissada added that this might explain why PSA levels can be high in prostatitis, but sometimes cannot be explained by what is happening in the prostate glands. “It is something outside the prostate gland that is causing an inflammatory reaction,” he said. Because periodontitis has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers felt a link might exist to prostate disease.

Thirty-five men from a sample of 150 patients qualified for their study, funded by the department of periodontology at the dental school. The participants were selected from patients with mild to severe prostatitis, who had undergone needle biopsies and were found to have inflammation and in some patients, malignancies.

The participants were divided into two groups: those with high PSA levels for moderate or severe prostatitis or a malignancy, and those with PSA levels below 4 ng/ml. All had not had dental work done for at least three months and were given an examination to measure the gum health. Looking at the results, the researchers from the dental school and the department of urology and the Institute of Pathology at the hospital found those with the most severe form of the prostatitis also showed signs for periodontitis.(3)

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids may Reduce Periodontitis

In an article in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers from Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health report that dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like fish oil, known to have anti-inflammatory properties, shows promise for the effective treatment and prevention of periodontitis.

In a study involving over 9,000 adults, researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid intake, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), were associated with reduced incidence of periodontitis. One of the study authors, Asghar Z. Naqvi commented, “To date, the treatment of periodontitis has primarily involved mechanical cleaning and local antibiotic application. Thus, a dietary therapy, if effective, might be a less expensive and safer method for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. Given the evidence indicating a role for omega-3 fatty acids in other chronic inflammatory conditions, it is possible that treating periodontitis with omega-3 fatty acids could have the added benefit of preventing other chronic diseases associated with inflammation, including stroke as well.”

In their paper the researchers reported an approximately 20 percent reduction in incidence of periodontitis in those consuming the highest amount of dietary DHA. The reduction correlated with EPA was smaller, while the correlation to LNA was not statistically significant. Foods that contain significant amounts of polyunsaturated fats include fatty fish like salmon, peanut butter and nuts.(4)

Summary

Given the increasing prevalence of periodontal disease and the growing body of research connecting periodontal health and systemic health, it is clearly essential to take steps to maintain healthy teeth and gums. According to Dr. Low, “Not only should you take good care of your periodontal health with daily tooth brushing and flossing, you should expect to get a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year,” he advised. A dental professional, such as a periodontist, a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease, will conduct the comprehensive exam to assess your periodontal disease status.

References

1. P. I. Eke, G. O. Thornton-Evans, L. Wei, W. S. Borgnakke, B. A. Dye. Accuracy of NHANES Periodontal Examination Protocols. Journal of Dental Research, 2010.
2. Society for General Microbiology (2010, September 5). ‘Jailbreak’ bacteria can trigger heart disease.
3. Joshi et al. Association Between Periodontal Disease and Prostate Specific Antigen Levels in Chronic Prostatitis Patients. Journal of Periodontology, 2010.
4. Asghar Z. Naqvi, Catherine Buettner, Russell S. Phillips, Roger B. Davis, Kenneth J. Mukamal. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Periodontitis in US Adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2010; 110.

For more information about Prostatitis/Enlarged Prostate 

For more information about Gum Disease

For more information on Periodontal Disease

For Cold Water Fish Oil - Omega 3 Fatty Acids. 

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To Your Health

MCVitamins
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Sidebar: 

Are You Peeing Out Your Vitamins?

The technology of capsule and tablet manufacturing has grown and evolved; considerably more goes into making a good multi-vitamin capsule or tablet than simply compressing ingredients in a machine. 

For example, name-brand and all reputable supplement manufacturers test and re-test their products for acceptable dissolution times under stomach-like conditions. 

Then there's the old wives' tale about the worthlessness of vitamins because "they just make expensive urine" or "you just pee them out" or other variations on the theme. 

It's not hard to see where this one came from. Anytime you take a multi-vitamin or a B complex, you're going to get some vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in the multi-vitamin. B2 markedly changes the color of urine, usually making it much yellower.  

Thus, when someone visits the bathroom an hour or so after taking their supplement, it's easy to see why they might conclude that their vitamins have been wasted and have not been absorbed.

But neither is the case. Vitamins from supplements are absorbed the same way as vitamins from food; they have the same fate. No vitamin, whether from food or supplements, can go directly from the stomach to the bladder.

The only way vitamins can change the appearance of urine is if they have been filtered from the bloodstream by the kidneys. The only way that can occur, is if the supplement has been absorbed from the digestive tract, and the only way that can occur is if the supplement breaks down easily.

So, contrary to the myth, when you see color changes in your urine associated with your supplement, it's not evidence of it being wasted, it's confirmation that it's been broken down, absorbed and made available to body tissues. 

One final point about absorption; faster isn't necessarily better. Many people spend the extra money for liquid supplements based on a belief that they will absorb faster than capsules or tablets. 

They might, but the time difference between complete absorption of liquids versus other forms, 20-30 minutes, does not amount to a noticeable advantage or a nutritional advantage with most supplements.

In fact, where higher potencies are concerned, slower absorption may be preferable to fast, sudden absorption. This is because there are limits to how fast and how much of a given nutrient can be absorbed per unit of time. When you overwhelm these absorption pathways, you do waste nutrients.

If you need my assistance or have any questions, please let us know so that we can help you with improving your health. You can email or call us at 888 758-5590