Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Fish oil toothpaste?

Scientists seem to have confirmed what some of us have known for a while - that fish oils can prevent gum disease.

http://www.englemed.co.uk/10/10nov022_fish_oil_gums.php

This is the story that we know: gum disease is not only caused by infection but by inflammation;

if you have salicylate hypersensitivity you know that eating fish will reduce reactions and reduce inflammation.

What's  interesting about this sort of study is whether it is, in fact, picking up and averaging out the impact on a sub-group of people who react badly to omega-6. Or whether everyone benefits from this kind of effect. In the research 8.2 per cent of people had gum disease.

There could even be other explanations. For instance that eating oily fish or cod liver oil kills the appetite and deters the consumption of sugary foods - Atkins diet style. Just a thought.

Toothpaste made of fish oil anyone?

RAS

4 comments:

Alison said...

Thanks for posting the link to this research -- very interesting.

I think fish oil toothpaste would be a great way to get the necessary PUFAs, but would probably taste and smell vile! Too bad...:)

Adam Dayton said...

With all that's happening in the world today, I think now is the time for us to be more creative in formulating things. It's the first time I heard of this fish oil toothpaste. This is incredible! Did they make one already and is it available in the market? I think that would help people who have gum disease.

RAS said...

Hi Adam, someone should make it shouldn't they? Doesn't need to be fish - just omega 3 oil and a bit of fluoride!

To reinforce the point this just in

Unknown said...

hi, actually there already is fish oil toothpaste, here in thailand! i was surprised and a little grossed out. but now that i know this, i might buy it again...