Periodontitis can be fought with DHA
Periodontitis: can it be treated with DHA
Omega 3 help to reduce periodontitis, a serious gum infection. Supplementation with the fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is associated with a reduction in the depth of gum pockets, a symptom of this disease, and the gingival index, an indicator of its severity. Therefore, the use of Omega-3 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 benefits for dental health
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, initiated by bacteria, that destroys the soft tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. It is characterized by an increase in the depth of the gingival sulcus, the narrow channel located at the sides of the tooth, forming the so-called gum pocket.
The disease is common worldwide, with 30-50% of the population in the United States suffering from it.
The decreased risk of dental diseases associated with the intake of Omega-3 has been linked in recent years to the anti-inflammatory effects of DHA.
Other studies have demonstrated strong antibacterial activity of Omega-3s against oral pathogens that cause the disease.
In particular, according to some studies, DHA, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and some molecules derived from them may inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
DHA improves symptoms of periodontal disease
During the research, scientists recruited 55 adults affected by periodontitis. Each was randomly and anonymously assigned 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, that the concentration of DHA in red blood cell membranes increased (between 3.6% and 6.2%), while no change was observed in the placebo group.
Data indicated that DHA supplementation is associated with a reduced depth of gum pockets and a decrease in the gingival index, a parameter used to assess the extent of the disease.
Other indices, such as plaque and bleeding, did not vary between the two groups.
In addition to the above improvements, researchers reported that, in gum tissue, levels of inflammation signaling molecules, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 beta, appeared significantly reduced in the DHA supplemented group.
A new use for Omega-3?
The study highlighted how DHA is able to improve symptoms of periodontitis in adults, indicating its potential therapeutic effectiveness.
These results, together with probable antibacterial activity, suggest a new future use for Omega-3 fatty acids.
