THE BENEFITS OF THERABREATH ORAL CARE VITAMINS
Here is what's in TheraBreath Oral Care Supplements (and why they help).
VITAMIN D:
Diets low in Vitamin D may lead to:
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Metallic or Bitter Taste
Dry MouthGum problems
Increased tooth decay (Vitamin D helps to stimulate cathelicidin - a natural antibiotic that attacks oral bacteria)
Higher levels of Vitamin D provide a decreased risk of bleeding gums
Vitamin D also upregulates a specific gene that produces over 200 anti-microbial peptides, some of which work like broad-spectrum antibiotics, including cathelicidin that attacks oral bacteria, including those involved in tooth decay, and defensins, which reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth.
Reduces matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are enzymes that are associated with red, swollen, bleeding, tender, or irritated gums.
People with lower vitamin D levels had more attachment loss than people with higher vitamin D levels.
African-Americans had a greater risk of PD than white Americans. African-Americans had average vitamin D blood levels of about 16 ng/mL (40 nmol/L) compared to 26 ng/mL (65 nmol/L) for white Americans. Most vitamin D is obtained from solar UVB exposure. Less UVB reaches the lower layer of dark skin, where vitamin D is produced.
Pregnant women with PD had lower vitamin D levels and were twice as likely to have vitamin D insufficiency.
Increasing vitamin D blood levels to 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L) may lower the risk of red, swollen, bleeding, irritated or tender gums. For most people, it would take 1000-5000 international units (IU) (25-125 mcg)/day of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to reach this level. Vitamin D blood levels should be measured before starting vitamin D. The levels should be tested again after several months. A rule of thumb is that for each 1000 IU (25 mcg)/day of vitamin D3, vitamin D blood levels rise by 6-10 ng/mL (15-25 nmol/L). However, there is considerable variation from person to person. The primary source of vitamin D3 for most people is solar UVB. However, most people do not get enough from the sun.
Those with PD should consider taking measures to raise their vitamin D blood levels to 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L). This can be done by moderate UVB exposure (without sunburn) and oral intake of vitamin D and calcium supplements. These measures could help reduce gum redness, swelling, bleeding irritation and tenderness or at least prevent them from getting worse.
COQ10:
When a CoQ10 tissue deficiency approaches 25 percent, it is almost always associated with gum issues such as redness, swelling, bleeding, tenderness or irritation.
CoQ10 also functions as a powerful antioxidant by fighting off oxidative stress and free radicals (contributors to aging) and promotes the antioxidant activity of vitamin E.
Improves gum and tissue rejuvenation because CoQ10 is vital to production of cellular energy and immune system function.
Helps pregnant women because they need 50% more to help development of the placenta.
Statins used to lower cholesterol (like Lipitor) can also lower CoQ10 levels, so it is important to take supplements to keep CoQ10 levels even.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is chemically similar to vitamin E and is involved in electron transfer in the mitochondria. Early work suggested that people with poor gums may be deficient in CoQ10. In double blind trials, 50mg a day of CoQ10, given for three weeks, led to a significant reduction in gum problems such as redness, swelling, bleeding, tenderness and irritation. More recent studies have shown that the topical application of CoQ10 may also improve these gum conditions.
CoEnzyme Q10: Benefits for oral health maintenance
CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble quinone found in the mitochondria of mammalian cells. It is an indispensable carrier in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is involved in the production of cellular energy in the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC). To maintain optimal oral health, your gum tissue requires an extremely high level of cellular energy — to insure that repair of damaged tissue exceeds daily destructive factors. Consequently, CoQ10 has been shown to be a basic requirement. Studies have shown that CoQ10 deficiencies are related to limited host resistance and an increase in periodontal tissue destruction.
For example, studies have reported that insufficiencies of gingival & leukocytic CoQ10 found in patients suffering from red, swollen, bleeding, tender or irritated gums predispose to or emphasize progression of these conditions. In Hansen's study, gingival biopsies of 29 patients showed that all 29 (100%) had a reduction of CoQ10 activity of at least 20-63%. Blood studies showed that 86% of those patients had a reduction of Leukocyte CoQ10 activity of 20-66% compared to controls, indicating that the deficiency was likely systemic. However, treatment with CoQ10 supplementation restored gingival CoQ10 activity.
CoQ10 has shown impressive results in reducing periodontal scores as well as decreasing periodontal pocket depth. In a 3 week, double-blind clinical trial, eighteen patients with gum conditions including redness, swelling, bleeding, tenderness or irritation were given either 50 mg CoQ10 or a placebo and evaluated according to a "Periodontal Score" for a variety of periodontal testing factors such as swelling, bleeding, redness, pain, exudate, periodontal pocket depth, and mobility of teeth. All 8 patients in the CoQ10 group (100%) improved, while only 3 of 10 (30%) of the placebo group improved.
Restoration of adequate levels of CoQ10 in the periodontium reverses bioenergetic cellular dysfunction of the Citric Acid Cycle (leading to hypercitricemia), enhances host resistance, raises the rate of repair above the degree of damage and helps to reduce and even reverse gum redness, swelling, bleeding, irritation and tenderness.
ZINC GLUCONATE:
Low Zinc levels are linked to sour, bitter, metallic tastes
Zinc Gluconate is the most tolerable of all zinc compounds and works quickly.
Zinc compounds may reduce morning breath
VITAMIN C:
Necessary to help build collagen (gum tissue) and bone (to help prevent loose teeth and gum problems)
People deficient in vitamin C (including diabetics) may be at risk of developing red, swollen, bleeding, tender or irritated gums. In one study, a group of subjects with such conditions who normally consumed only 25 to 30 mg of vitamin C daily were supplemented with an additional 70 mg. They experienced marked improvement in gum tissue after only six weeks.
Although it is established that smoking contributes to gum problems, tobacco users may especially benefit from vitamin C supplementation, as smoking depletes the body of vitamin C.
Spongy gums with bad breath, dry mouth and bleeding gums have been documented as early as 1894 when health problems were linked to the lack of vitamin C in diets.
Directly functions to promote and assist the tissue in providing a protective barrier, lessening permeability against bacterial endotoxins. Thus, the necessary amounts of vitamin C for a healthy gingiva may be greater than the recommended daily allowance. Collagen is also a significant factor when considering healthy tissue fibers in the gingival and periodontal ligament and is a major contributor to alveolar bone health.
Necessary if consumers take antibiotics, aspirin or other meds which may deplete natural Vitamin C levels.
An update on Vitamin C dosing from the Linus Pauling Institute: Although the current RDA for vitamin C is 75-90 mg/day, most multivitamin supplements contain only 60 mg (the DV for vitamin C). Five servings of fruits and vegetables may provide about 200 mg. Aim for a total daily intake of at least 400 mg, which is associated with the saturation of plasma and circulating cells. This is one of the reasons why TheraBreath Oral Health Vitamins contains 250 mg of Vitamin C per capsule.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an intracellular and intercellular aqueous antioxidant. It is the first line of antioxidant protection in the body, possessing direct oxygen free radical scavenging ability. It also works synergistically with bioflavonoids and vitamin E, by regenerating their oxidized states.
Ascorbic acid may also play an important role in regulating histamine's effects in gingivitis. Ascorbic acid deficiency has been shown to be a conditioning factor in the development of gingivitis. When humans are placed on ascorbic acid deficient diets there is increased edema, redness and swelling of the gingiva. These changes have been attributed to deficient collagen production by gingival blood vessels. However, this may also be due to an antihistamine role of ascorbic acid. This vitamin may act to directly detoxify histamine or effect a change in the level of enzymes responsible for histamine metabolism. This could occur through the influence of ascorbic acid in altering cyclic AMP (c-AMP) levels. Such changes in the level of this regulatory molecule could result in increased histamine-N-methyl transferase and other enzymes responsible for the breakdown of histamine.
Vitamin C dosing of 250 mg vs 60 mg in standard multivitamins: (From the Vitamin C Foundation)
Recently the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) issued dietary antioxidant recommendations. The new recommendations call for 90 mg. for vitamin C for healthy adults, up from 60 mg per day under the previous standard. Yet the government keeps preaching five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, which supplies more than 200 mg. of vitamin C.
These two figures do not correlate. Just months before the 90 mg vitamin C recommendation was issued, various government scientists were calling for 120-200 mg per day in published reports.
One researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Human Nutrition, using a technique called saturation kinetics, suggested that even the 200-mg level was not adequate to meet individual vitamin C needs by as much as 2-3 fold.
One assumption is that people do not need antioxidant supplement until they become unhealthy. But the Journal of the American Medical Association admits the destructive process of oxidation is involved in virtually every disease.
VITAMIN B12:
Helpful in preventing Mouth Sores.
A study showed that taking inexpensive Vitamin B12 supplements was more effective than expensive topical gel treatments in treating Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores). "Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 in Treating Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial", Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, January 2009. Posted March 19, 2009.
A common oral effect of vitamin B deficiency is a burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue. People with this deficiency can also have trouble swallowing. The tongue may feel swollen. The tissue of the inner cheeks can be pale and may break apart easily and slough off.
Vitamin B deficiency also may increase your risk of:
Angular cheilitis — A painful reddening and cracking in the corners of the mouth. It usually is related to a fungal infection.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis — Also known as recurring canker sores. Anemia, which can occur because of vitamin B deficiency, can increase your risk of these sores.
Chronic oral mucosal candidiasis — A fungal condition in the mouth. The Candida albicans fungus is found naturally in the mouth. It does not normally cause problems. However, poor nutrition or poor absorption of vitamins makes you more susceptible.
Atrophic glossitis — A condition that causes the taste buds to break down, making the tongue look "bald." This condition affects the sense of taste. It can occur with a severe vitamin deficiency.
BLACK PEPPER FRUIT EXTRACT:
Black Pepper Fruit Extract can dramatically increase absorption of the building blocks of oral tissue (vitamin B, Vitamin C, CoQ10) as well as body nutrients (selenium, curcumin, and beta-carotene). Unless your oral supplement contains Black Pepper Fruit Extract, you may be flushing valuable ingredients down the toilet.
Black Pepper Fruit Extract can also attenuate free radicals and reactive oxygen species and has been shown to protect against oxidative damage in vitro.
Black pepper fruit, has been shown in human clinical trials to significantly enhance the bioavailability of various supplemented nutrients through increased absorption. These studies conducted on healthy volunteers in the U.S., showed dramatic increases in the blood levels of all nutrients tested compared to the control group receiving the nutrients alone. Nutrients tested included fat-soluble vitamins (beta-carotene), water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B6), minerals (selenomethionine), and coenzymes (Coenzyme Q10). Absorption rates were shown to increase 30 to 60 percent.
Because these absorption rates may increase to such an extent, up to 60%, a dosage of 30 mg can be interpreted as equal to a dosage of CoQ10 of 48 mg, without the presence of Black Pepper fruit extract.
FOLIC ACID:
A majority of the people over 20 years of age has been found to be suffering from gum disease. Folic acid if taken along with Vitamin C, helps the cells inside the mouth repair the gum disease before it progresses
Although the benefits of oral folic acid in protecting against heart disease and birth defects are well documented, new evidence suggests that using folic acid can also strengthen one's oral defenses. Studies have demonstrated folic acid's ability to improve gingivitis symptoms, reduce gum tissue's inflammatory response, and make gum tissue more resilient to irritants such as bacteria and plaque.
Study done at Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Oral Health Science, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Sapporo, Japan suggest that dietary intake of folic acid, an important indicator of gingival bleeding in adults, may provide an important clinical target for intervention to promote gingival health.
Studies have demonstrated that folic acid is very effective in preserving gum tissue and reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis.
Folic acid is an essential nutrient for cell growth, cell repair, and disease prevention. It's a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is not stored in the body for very long and must be taken in daily in order to maintain optimum health and avoid deficiency complications.
