Natural Prevention for Periodontal Disease (and Maybe Less Pain in RA!)

A few years ago, researchers from Case Western University in Ohio showed that addressing periodontitis (a chronic bacterial infection of the gums that eats away both gum tissue and underlying bone) can decrease pain symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis — less pain, fewer swollen joints and less morning stiffness. A new scientific study says you may improve this therapy by adding a high intake of high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables.

In the study, researchers gave a Juice-Plus supplement (made from a powdered blend of Acerola cherry, apple, beet, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cranberry, dates, garlic, kale, orange, peach, papaya, parsley, pineapple, prune, spinach, sugar beet, tomato, along with algae, probiotics, and bran) to people undergoing periodontal therapy — and they had better long-term results than people who received the therapy without the Juice-Plus.

My simple recommendation to increase antioxidant intake? Every morning, add some delicious berries to your breakfast cereal or yogurt. And like Mom told you — eat your veggies!

(Read the full study at Vitasearch.)

References

"Periodontal therapy reduces the severity of active rheumatoid arthritis in patients treated with or without tumor necrosis factor inhibitors," Ortiz P, et al, J Periodontol. 2009 Apr;80(4):535-40.

"Periodontal Disease Treatment and Impact of Adjunctive Phytonutients," Iain L, et al, J Clin Peridontol, 2012 Jan;39(1):62-72. 50023 (2/2012)