Vitamin D might help ward off gingivitis Smile at the sun Vitamin D is essential for good health, but did you know it can also help ward off gingivitis? A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at 6,700 non-smokers between the ages of 13 and 90. Regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity, those who had higher levels of vitamin D were less likely to bleed when a periodontal probe was used during a dental examination. And vitamin D is good in other ways for dental health: It is a natural anti-inflammatory, it is useful in building bone density, and it can assist the body in absorbing calcium. While vitamin D can be obtained through sun exposure, this is the time of year when many of us tend to spend fewer hours outdoors. With winter fast approaching, you can maintain optimal levels of this important nutrient by supplementing with cod liver oil, which contains vitamin D. **************************************************** Sweet relief from sinus problems Q: I am constantly either stuffed up from sinus problems or feeling like there is a brick on my chest from asthma-related symptoms. Is there anything that I can do to eliminate or better control my condition? JVW: Your answer may lie in a natural sweetener called xylitol. Xylitol looks and tastes like table sugar, but is produced from wood or wheat grass. It has a remarkable track record for reducing sinus infections and asthma attacks when used as a nasal spray on a regular basis. It works by stimulating drainage and washing away pollutants in the back of the nose, an area where bacteria thrive. Xylitol can be purchased as a product called Xlear (pronounced "clear") at natural food stores or compounding pharmacies. One note: Many patients feel so good after using xylitol that they discontinue it. But it must be used on a regular and continual basis or symptoms will resurface. **************************************************** What is...gingivitis? Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease in which bacteria builds-up on teeth and gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. If left untreated, the bacteria begin to destroy the periodontal ligament that anchors the teeth to the bone. Eventually the bone begins to erode and the teeth loosen. Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing Sources: "Association between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and gingival inflammation," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005; 82(3): 575-580

Privacy Policy

Special NAH Reports

» Diabetes Prevention

» Look Younger

» Big Health Secrets

» Herbal Healing

» Heal Your Body