| Treats to lower cholesterol and gum disease link to heart health
I ran across two interesting articles in the WSJ yesterday. I am a "study" junkie so take them for what they are worth.
The first concerns a move to put plant stanols and sterols, and sometimes psyllium in certain foods. We know there are products such as margarine and orange juice that have them already, but now they are putting them in candy bars and cookies. It was found that 32 people who consumed two of these candy bars (CocaVia by Mars) had a decline of 6 percent in their bad cholesterol over six weeks compared to no change in the control group. In another study people consuming plant-sterol and psyllium fortified chocolate chip cookies (Right Direction) cut bad cholesterol by 10 percent. HDL was not affected in either study.
The studies were carried out by reputable organizations, but were funded in part by the manufacturers. It was noted by one professor that the cookies and candy do add extra fat and calories so a person taking them would have to eliminate fat and calories in other places in their diet.
Okay, the second study actually centered on an increased incidence of pancreatic cancer in those who have gum disease. However, it made reference to early research suggesting treating gum disease may lower risk for heart problems. A person suffering from gum disease (gingivalis) has a mouth teeming with bacteria found in the plaque that forms on teeth. These bacteria not only cause gums to become inflamed, but they can also invade other parts of the body, including the cells in coronary arteries, according to the article.
A pilot study by Boston University (only six patients with gum disease), showed that treatment for gum disease lowered certain inflammatory markers in the body and improved the function of the endothelium, the lining of the arteries that produces chemicals related to blood flow. A larger version of the study with 160 patients is underway, but results are not expected until 2009.
Some food for thought or something to chew on.
Jane (who is catching a plane for the Carribean tomorrow)
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