Roll Out the Barrel

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Roll Out the Barrel

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:54:46 -0500

 

 

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Roll Out the Barrel

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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April 04, 2006

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

How are your gums?

 

When I asked that simple question in a recent e-Alert, I had no idea

it would touch a nerve, but it did.

 

The subject was wine - specifically the antioxidant polyphenols in red

wine. Canadian researchers report that these polyphenols may

neutralize a compound that plays a key role in the development of

periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. So far, however, the

research hasn't developed to the point of testing red wine on live tissue.

 

But many gallons of red wine come into contact with live tissue (that

is: gums) every day. With this in mind, I invited wine drinking HSI

members to let us know the quality of their gum health. As I write

this, e-mails are still pouring in. Who knew wine aficionados would be

such an effusive and forthcoming group when it comes to sharing

intimate details about dental health?

 

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Good gums

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Let's start with the basics. It seems that HSI members who regularly

drink red wine tend to have good gum health. In fact, they outnumber

wine drinkers with poor gum health by more than 5 to 1. Here are a few

comments from the dozens of responses received:

 

J.B.: " I am 71 and drink 1-2 glasses of red wine daily. My dentist

always tells me my teeth and gums are in great shape. "

 

C.C.: " My husband and I have 1/2 cup of wine in a glass every night

(only red wine) and have good dental health. The dentist was in shock

when he saw me as it had been a while. He said both my teeth and gums

were in excellent shape. "

 

D.S.: " My gums are in better shape now than I can remember them being,

and they've dramatically improved since I started drinking red wine on

a daily basis about a year ago. I've always had problems with loose

teeth, but not any more. "

 

A.B.: " I drink wine daily. My dentist says my gums get better with

each checkup. "

 

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Wine, but no roses

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But not all wine lovers enjoy the same results as the four above.

Here's a member named J.M.: " Having been a regular wine drinker of

both red and white wine, I suffer nevertheless from gum disease for

which I am being treated for the last two years. "

 

And another member who also has the initials " J.M. " writes: " I am a

red wine drinker. I have just lost my second tooth. The 2-3 glasses

4-5 times a week isn't helping. I was actually wondering if it was

part of the problem? "

 

A member named J.R. would probably agree with that assessment. J.R.

notes that alcohol may have a negative impact on gums. The problem?

Alcohol dries the mouth and reduces saliva, which boosts the activity

of bacteria and contributes to gum disease. She also quotes a

University of Buffalo study that found a direct relationship between

the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of gum disease.

 

And J.R. adds another point: Alcohol consumption has a depleting

effect on some nutrients necessary for healthy gums.

 

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One piece of the puzzle

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If alcohol promotes dental bacteria and depletes nutrients, how is it

that so many HSI members who drink red wine enjoy good dental health?

Granted, our e-Alert survey is very informal, but maybe gum health

among red wine drinkers can be attributed to other healthy habits. I

think it's safe to say that most (virtually all?) HSI members go out

of their way to take good care of their health, and several of the

e-mails reflect this, citing the use of supplements such as CoQ10

(shown to promote gum health), and nutrient-rich diets

 

For instance, an HSI member named V.C. has very healthy gums and

describes himself as a " devotee " of red wine. " I always generously

supplement with vitamin C before going to bed. "

 

And an 80-year-old member named B.Y. is also a red wine drinker with

" perfectly healthy " gums. But other factors probably play a role in

her dental health. She writes: " Only organically grown fruits and

vegetables come into our house and our meat is from local sources that

we also know to be reliably nurtured (no antibiotics in the feed nor

by injection) and they are fed on grass in the fields in the Spring

and Summer. In short, health of any part of the body as well as the

body as a whole is the result of good food, exercise and sufficient

sleep as I am sure you know. No one thing can be responsible for good

health. "

 

Well put, B.Y.

 

******************************

 

 

....and another thing

 

Lung function deteriorates as we age, and this is true of everyone,

even those who don't smoke. But a steady intake of certain nutrients

can minimize the deterioration.

 

As we saw in yesterday's e-Alert " Cell Protector " (4/3/06), carotenoid

supplements - especially beta-carotene - may protect lymphocyte cells

from DNA damage. A new study from the University of Medicine Bichat in

Paris shows how beta-carotene may also help protect the lungs.

 

In 1992, researchers examined blood samples of more than 1,190

subjects. Lung function was also assessed with an FEV1 test, which

measures the volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled in one second.

Eight years later, 535 subjects participated in follow up tests. About

40 percent of the subjects were lifelong non-smokers.

 

Results showed that among all subjects who increased their

beta-carotene levels over eight years, lung function declined more

slowly than those with the lowest beta-carotene levels. Steepest

decline in lung function was seen in smoking subjects who had the

lowest vitamin E and beta-carotene levels, but high levels of these

nutrients in smokers had a protective effect.

 

Lead researcher Armelle Guenejou told NutraIngredients that the

results " strongly suggest that beta-carotene protects lung function in

the general population. "

 

Some studies have shown that smokers with a high intake of

beta-carotene may be at greater risk of developing lung cancer, but

new evidence contradicts that finding. In a 2005 study, beta-carotene

intake was linked to a lower risk of cancer death even among smokers.

And this finding is supported by a more recent study conducted in

France. Researchers believe high levels of beta-carotene alone may

pose a danger for smokers, but when beta-carotene is consumed with

other antioxidant-rich foods the danger appears to be significantly

reduced.

 

For more information about how to prevent lung function deterioration,

see the e-Alert " C-ing Stars " (6/12/02), which can be found in the

e-Alert archives on our web site at hsibaltimore.com.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

********************

 

Sources:

 

" Red Wine Touted as Good for Gum Health " Joseph Hall, Toronto Star,

3/11/06, thestar.com

" Serum Carotenoids, Vitamins A and E, and 8 Year Lung Function Decline

in a General Population " Thorax, Vol. 61, No. 4, April 2006,

thorax.bmjjournals.com

" Beta-Carotene Could Slow Down Lung Aging " NutraIngredients, 3/23/06,

nutraingredients.com