On Sun, 10 Mar 2002, Tom Barber wrote:

> I have also noticed a reduction in tooth problems. A new study linking
> diabetes and gum disease was published yesterday. The news article did not
> mention lo carb.

Possibly the most dramatic result I have experienced from
low-carb diet, paleo or not, is the clearing of longstanding
periodontitis.  This condition had plagued me for years.  Despite
expensive and painful proceduress, I lost about four teeth as a
result.  When I went to low-carb, my gums quickly gradually
returned to normal.  The deep 8mm "pockets" went back to a normal
3mm.  In fact, when I went back to my dentist for an overdue
checkup, he was sure that I must have been seeing a periodontist
in the meantime.  I assured him that I hadn't.  He had never
seen, in his entire career, the "spontaneous" remission of
periodontitis, which is regarded in the dental profession as a
progressive degenerative disease that can be slowed but not
reversed.

The statistical link between gum disease and heart disease has
been known for some time.  In my opinion there is little doubt
that the common factor is the systemic subacute inflammatory
state.  Carb reduction, with adequate EFAs, seems to reverse
this, which is not surprising, given what we know about the
metabolic effects of carb reduction.  That diabetes should also
be correlated with gum disease is not surprising either.

Todd Moody
[log in to unmask]