The Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA in particular, found in fish oil may be linked to a lower risk of gum disease. This research has been reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Kenneth Mukamal and his colleages studied the diets of more than 9,000 adults between 1999 and 2004. They found that patients who consumed the most DHA were 22% less likely to develop periodontitis (a moderate form of gum disease) than those who consumed the least. Although further studies need to be done, Mukamal supports the American Heart Association recommendation of two meals per day of fatty fish for a wide variety of potentially beneficial effects on many organs. The benefits to gum health may be one of the benefits that has not been appreciated.
