I used to have annoying gum problems for years. My gums were always inflamed no matter how diligently I brushed my teeth, switched to an electric toothbrush, or used dental floss that could circle the globe ten times. I even remembered to use mouthwash before bed and made regular visits to the dentist. But guess what? Every few months, my gums would go haywire, and I ended up losing a tooth. No one told me that preventing gum issues involved more than just oral hygiene. Turns out, when there’s no inflammation outside your mouth, there’s no gum trouble inside[1]. So, I made changes to my diet, reduced overall inflammation, and voila! No more gum problems for years!
Here’s the funny thing: oxidative stress messes with every organ in your body. Yep, no organ escapes unscathed. Local factors kickstart diseases and inflammation. Like, gum inflammation starts with pesky bacteria, joint injuries or getting older can lead to creaky joints, menopause messes with your bones, and high eye pressure might give you a case of “glaucoma drama.” But here’s the secret sauce: when you kick oxidative stress to the curb and maintain a healthy lifestyle, acute inflammation is like, “Later, dude!” But if you let chronic inflammation stick around, those diseases party on and on.
Now, some ask if diet actually matters for improving diseases. Well, let me flip that question right back: Does popping pills actually do the trick? Are we just managing symptoms or getting to the root of chronic diseases?
“Food is medicine” is the hot new trend based on solid evidence. It’s not just a bunch of hocus-pocus. When it comes to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart problems, dietary interventions can work wonders, backed by plenty of science [2].
