HOLISTIC HEALTH NOTEBOOK

An interesting study came out a few years ago that related oral hygiene with cardiovascular disease. No, the studies were not funded by the toothpaste people. They were published in heavy-hitting medical journals such as the British Medical Journal, and have been around for a while. For example, a national sample of American adults participated in a health examination survey in the early 1970s. Participants underwent a standard dental examination at the beginning of the study and were followed up to 1987.

Researchers found that among the 9,760 subjects, those with periodontitis had a 25 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Could one attribute this curiosity to hygiene and lifestyle? Might not people who take better care of their teeth also take better care of their hearts? Perhaps, but Austrian doctors pointed to increased serum concentrations of neopterin in patients with atherosclerosis, infectious syndromes, malignancies, and autoimmune disease - and in patients with dental diseases.

I don't know anything about neopterin but according to the dictionary, it serves as a marker of "Cell-mediated immunity" cellular immune system activation. In other words, it sends a signal that something is going on with the immune system.

Well, I am always interested in protecting my heart. Sporting a smile with two rows of healthy teeth is also on my list of health priorities, so I sought a connection between nutrition for the mouth and nutrition for the heart.

What do you know? Coenzyme Q10 or COQ10.

We know that COQ10 acts as a powerful antioxidant and increases the production of cellular energy to protect against congestive heart failure, angina, and hypertension. There is good indication that COQ10 is good for the immune system, via several mechanisms.

And then we know that it is good for preventing and helping treat periodontal disease.

So what do I do? I rinse my mouth twice daily with liquid COQ10, and then swallow it. I think it is improving my oral health but will find out more when I visit my dentist the next time. It isn't as stimulating as the usual mouthwash preparations but who cares about that? I just want to protect my heart and my gums at the same time.

- Carol Simontacchi is the owner of the Island Nutrition Center on Sanibel. She can be reached at 472-4499 or on the Web at www.islandnutritioncenter. meta-ehealth.com.