Periodontitis can be combated with DHA
Periodontitis: it can be treated with DHA
Omega 3 helps alleviate periodontitis, a serious infection of the gums. Supplementation with the fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is associated with a reduction in the depth of gingival pockets, a symptom of this disease, and in the gingival index, an indicator of its severity. Thus, the 'use of Omega-3s in the treatment of periodontal disease can be hypothesized for the future.
These are the results of a study published in the Journal of Dental Research and conducted in the laboratories of Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA.
Omega-3 and dental health benefits
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, initiated by bacteria, that destroys the soft tissue and supporting bone of the teeth. It is characterized by an increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus, the narrow channel located on either side of the tooth, forming the so-called gingival pocket.
The condition is common worldwide, and as many as 30-50% of the U.S. population suffers from it.
The decreased risk of dental disease associated with Omega-3 intake has been linked in recent years to the anti-inflammatory effects of DHA .
Other studies have shown strong antibacterial activity of Omega-3s against oral pathogens that cause disease.
In particular, according to some studies, DHA, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), and some molecules derived from them could inhibit the growth of bacteria such as. Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Porphyromonas ginigivalis.
DHA improves symptoms of periodontal disease
During the research, scientists recruited 55 adults with periodontitis. Each was randomly and anonymously assigned either 2 grams per day of DHA or a placebo (corn oil) for three months.
All participants also received 81 mg per day of aspirin.
The results showed, for the 46 adults who completed the study, the concentration of DHA in red blood cell membranes had increased (between 3.6 percent and 6.2 percent), while no change was observed in the placebo group.
Data indicated that 'DHA supplementation is associated with shallower gingival pocket depth and reduced gingival index, a parameter used to assess the extent of disease.
Other indices such as plaque and bleeding indices did not vary between the two groups.
In addition to the above improvements, the researchers reported that, in gum tissue, levels of inflammation signal molecules, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 beta, appeared significantly reduced in the group supplemented with DHA.
A new use for Omega-3s?
The study showed that DHA can improve periodontitis symptoms in adults, indicating its potential therapeutic efficacy.
These results, together with the likely antibacterial activity, suggest a new future use of omega-3 fatty acids.
