Red wine fights gum disease

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

Another excuse to imbibe of the vino. . . .

Dave

+++++++++++++

http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/531486/main.html

Red Wine May Ward Off Gum Disease

But one expert cautioned that the findings are very preliminary

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- Raising a glass to a new weapon

against periodontal disease, researchers say red wine may help keep

gums healthy and strong.

Though the results have so far only been borne out in the test tube, a

team of Canadian scientists believe antioxidant components in red wine

and grape seeds have anti-inflammatory effects that may ward off

periodontal troubles.

" Our findings demonstrate that red wine polyphenols have potent

antioxidant properties, " conclude researchers led by Dr. Fatiah

Chandad from the Universite Laval in Quebec City. Her team presented

its findings Friday at the American Association for Dental Research

(AADR) annual meeting, in Orlando.

Experts believe that upwards of 80 percent of Americans are estimated

to have some form of gum disease, either in the relatively mild form

known as gingivitis or in a more serious form, known as periodontitis.

Periodontitis (meaning " around the tooth " ) is linked to poor oral

hygiene. It is a chronic infection involving bacteria present in

plaque that persistently coats teeth.

" I am optimistic that components in red wine can limit the effect of

this oral bacteria, " Chandad said.

According to the AADR, approximately 15 percent of Americans between

the ages of 21 and 50 suffer from this harshest form of gum disease.

Among adults over the age of 50, 65 percent are affected.

Smokers, diabetics and those taking steroids, oral contraceptives and

certain cancer drugs are a higher risk for developing periodontitis,

often in the absence of any obvious warning signs.

And gum disease's effect may extend beyond the mouth: Recent research

has indicated that the inflammation and immune responses which

accompany serious gum infection may also provoke an increased risk for

diabetes, heart disease and birthing abnormalities among periodontal

patients.

However, the Quebec researchers say laboratory tests conducted on

mouse cell samples revealed that antioxidants found in red wine known

as polyphenols may help limit the severity of bacteria-linked gum

inflammation.

They note that inflammation is the immune system's natural response to

the presence of such bacteria, Unfortunately, that response also

involves the accelerated production of unhealthy molecules called

" free radicals. "

The production of too many free radicals can lead to a further

weakening of gums. The result is inflammation, bleeding, and a gradual

tissue and bone decay that can ultimately result in the loss of one or

more affected teeth.

But Houde and her colleagues found that -- in the test tube, at least

-- red wine polyphenols inhibit key proteins at the cellular level to

slow free radical production. They speculate that red wine's

antioxidant punch could be a useful weapon in the fight against gum

disease.

Not everyone is ready to gulp down a glass of Cabernet to fight gum

disease, however. Genco, a distinguished professor of oral

biology with the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of

New York at Buffalo, stressed the findings are very preliminary.

" I would say that in general these experiments with antioxidants in

test tubes give variable results when they are later tested in animals

or humans, " Genco noted.

He pointed to recent studies that found that the consumption of

popular antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene

does not appear to provide the health benefits that had been

anticipated by the medical community.

" Many antioxidants have been tested in humans, and they have not been

too effective, " Genco stressed. " We've been very disappointed, so we

have to be very careful. So, while this study is an interesting first

start, the key now is clinical trials in humans. "

Chandad agreed that further studies are needed, but said she's

optimistic that these early results will be replicated in animals and

humans. Her team has already begun such work, she said -- first with

animals, then soon after with human trials.

More information

For more on periodontal disease, visit the American Dental Association.

SOURCES: Genco, D.D.F., Ph.D., distinguished professor, oral

biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at

Buffalo; March 10, 2006, presentation, American Association for Dental

Research annual meeting, Orlando

Copyright © 2006 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.

Last updated 3/10/2006.

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