Living Longer Isn't The Same As Aging Well & A Massive New Study Proves It by mindbodygreen

 Did your competent? doctor get you recovered to be aging well? I'm having the time of my life and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN RECOVERY CAME FROM MY DOCTOR!

Living Longer Isn't The Same As Aging Well & A Massive New Study Proves It

Can Electricity Make Your Workouts More Effective? I Tried EMS To Find Out by mindbodygreen

 Oh NO, your doctor is so fucking incompetent that this hasn't been tried to prevent your muscle atrophy. Which means your board of directors is complicit in incompetence for not knowing how to set goals for a stroke hospital! What are YOU  going to do about that? Or don't you want your children and grandchildren to make a better recovery when they have strokes?

Can Electricity Make Your Workouts More Effective? I Tried EMS To Find Out

Yoga expert shares three key poses to boost walking performance

 The only one even remotely doable is the bridge pose. Unless your competent? doctor got you 100% recovered AND CURED YOUR SPASTICITY!

Pictures at link.

Yoga expert shares three key poses to boost walking performance

Yoga expert shares three key poses to boost walking performance

©Getty Images

Three poses revealed: Nicky Cossins highlights downward dog, pigeon pose, and bridge pose as key for walkers to enhance mobility, stability, and strength.

Why it matters: These yoga moves can counteract posture strain from backpacks, improve breathing on climbs, and stretch muscles after long walks.

Injury prevention: Regular practice may reduce stiffness, boost ankle and hip mobility, and support stronger strides on uneven terrain.

Yoga stretches assist muscle recovery after long walks

According to Nicky Cossins, yoga stretches help relieve tight muscles after extended walking sessions. This practice supports physical recovery following long-distance walks.

Downward dog stretch targets calves, hamstrings, and spine muscles

The downward dog yoga pose stretches the calves, hamstrings, and spine muscles. This helps release muscle tension that can build up from prolonged walking sessions.

Pigeon pose engagement of gluteal muscles and deep hip rotators

Pigeon pose activates the gluteal muscles and deep hip rotators. These muscle groups play a role in stabilizing the pelvis during activities such as hiking on uneven terrain.

Bridge pose strengthens glutes and hamstrings

Bridge pose targets and strengthens the gluteal muscles and hamstrings. These muscle groups are important for generating forward propulsion during walking, particularly when moving uphill.

Struggling with balance as you age? Experts say there might be a simple solution.

 

I use the BOSU(Both Sides Up) ball for this purpose, round side down, more challenging but less likely to roll the ankle.

I always preferred the round side down, although harder to get on it, it had less chance of rolling an ankle and more challenging.

Struggling with balance as you age? Experts say there might be a simple solution.

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Experts tell us that balance is something that can likely decline with age, unless you take measures to train it — a worthwhile endeavor, according to Annalise Calo, physical therapist at WAVE Physical Therapy & Pilates in Ohio at the time she was originally interviewed for this story. She said the risks associated with weaker balance come from a person’s reduced ability to quickly recruit the muscles needed to prevent a fall, which can lead to increased mortality in the case of pelvic fractures, some studies show. After coming across this popular $21 “balancing disc” online, we asked Calo if this is as effective a training tool as reviewers claim it is.

“These discs can be helpful when used in the right context,” Calo said of balancing tools like the ProsourceFit disc, which is a 15-inch inflatable cushion that can be used to perform a number of balancing and core-strengthening exercises. ”[They] move as your weight shifts, helping to improve proprioception (awareness of your position in space) and reaction time.”

Calo notes that a disc like this shouldn’t be first in line for balance training, but rather used as an adjunct tool, and it’s not for people who have severely compromised balance. Someone should be able to stand for at least 30 seconds in certain positions — with one foot in front of the other, for example, or on one leg only — if they are going to use this tool.

Calo also indicated that posture is something that is additionally impacted by age, “due to reduced joint space or disc height and decreased proximal muscle strength, which normally helps keep the body more upright,” she said.

Related video: How much should you be able to walk according to your age? (Welltica+)The ProscourceFit disc aims to engage multiple core muscles that are required for maintaining a healthy posture, and can even be placed behind the back while sitting to provide support or as a cushion to help reduce sedentary habits while sitting for long periods of time. This is important to note because, as Calo pointed out, sitting more frequently can reduce hip flexor mobility, which also leads to a more bent-over posture.

“This pillow is particularly good when sitting at a computer. It allows me to move my spine as I sit. So much better than being locked in a postural slump. I also like being boosted a couple of inches taller, which helps with the angle of my hands on a keyboard,” one Amazon customer said.

Made with a dual-textured surface on both sides to prevent slipping, the disc can be inflated to your preferred firmness and intensity levels. The device will be more supportive when filled to capacity with air, making it easier to stand on. You can deflate the cushion to create a less stable surface and challenge yourself further. 

“You can stand on these discs with both legs or a single leg. If you have mastered those activities, you can work towards closing your eyes while standing on one or both legs,” Calo said.

She said that you can even get more advanced and stand on the disc while passing a weight from hand to hand, or place the disc on a step and step up and down onto it, paying close attention that there is no risk of slipping.

One ProsourceFit balancing disc reviewer claimed that they used to have trouble walking, often tripping. Then, after about two weeks of regular use with the disc, they noticed a big difference.

“I now have more confidence in walking and getting in and out of the bathtub,” they wrote.

Before you try out these discs for yourself, Calo cautions that many older adults have worse balance than they realize and should see a professional, like a physical therapist, to assess it before training independently. 

Promising Amazon reviews: 

″I really like my balance disks. Had trouble walking, tripping n very unsteady. I now have more confidence in walking and getting in n out of the bathtub. I use mine most days 3 times a day. I stand balancing then I do a light bounce about 10 minutes at a time. I use mine close to the kitchen sink or counter so I have something to grab if I loose balance. Sooo glad I have them. Made a big difference in about a 2 weeks.” — Pamela Woodard

“Everyone in my house uses this! Best $10 I’ve spent. Really works your core strength while balancing. I do some yoga poses and I can definitely feel a difference.” — yvette c

“I bought this to work on my one leg balance, and it has done a great job! Easy to inflate, and perfect size for practicing standing on one leg. After practicing on this, my balance on the floor is greatly improved. Well worth the price just for that.” — Annie C.

“I use this on my office chair for balance and posture. It allows me to ‘free sit’, encourages me to move and balance - thus strengthening my core muscles, keep my spine flexible and strengthen my back up to my shoulders.

I’m still recovering from being rear ended, and this is an easy tool to get more of a work out all day every day. It is helpful for balance - standing on it as well. It has helped re-train my brain through dizziness and balance issues.” — Nancy Horne

The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.

Parkinsonian gait improvement through vibratory stride parameter feedback

 WHOM will be competent enough to see if this would help gait recovery after stroke?  I'm proving there is NO ONE IN STROKE COMPETENT AT ALL! You're screwed along with your children and grandchildren when they get strokes. 

Parkinsonian gait improvement through vibratory stride parameter feedback

• Paul Kirsch,
• Miriam Helbig,
• Dominic Rupar,
• Simon Baudrexel &
• Christian A. Kell 

We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Abstract

Background

Hypokinetic gait increases morbidity and mortality of persons with Parkinson’s disease and constitutes a major target symptom for therapy. Feedback on gait quality, e.g. by a physiotherapist, improves stride length and reduces shuffling. Wearable devices measuring gait parameters and providing feedback could improve parkinsonian gait during everyday life when no physiotherapist is available. Here, we report on the efficacy of a new device providing discreet vibratory feedback upon decreased stride length and increased shuffling.

Methods

33 persons with Parkinson’s disease, in two cohorts, received automatic vibratory feedback administered via a newly developed sensor-equipped insole when their stride length and heel strike angle decreased while walking a 730 m walking course. Gait of 14 persons with Parkinson’s disease in the first cohort was investigated in OFF and ON medication state to allow for a comparison of the feedback effect with the effect of medication on stride length, heel strike angle and gait variability. In both cohorts, the effect of feedback on gait parameters was compared against a control walk without stimulation and was subjectively evaluated by the study participants. In the second cohort of 19 participants, the effect of feedback was additionally compared with vibration at random time points to investigate the efficacy of context-adequate feedback.

Results

Both stride length and heel strike angle improved upon feedback to a degree that, on average, was close to the medication effect on parkinsonian gait. Stimulation at random time points showed intermediate values with non-significant improvements in gait parameters compared to control walks. Closed-loop feedback resulted in a less variable gait pattern compared to control walks. Persons with Parkinson’s disease rated the feedback mode as subjectively useful.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the use of closed-loop feedback can improve parkinsonian gait and suggest such a device could effectively complement the available approaches in the treatment of persons with Parkinson’s disease.

Trial Registration: This trial was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00038516) on 9 December 2025.

Researchers Find Common Vitamin That Could Protect Against Toxic Alzheimer's Protein Build-Up

 

Do you really think your competent? doctor will instruct the dietician to get this correctly in your diet protocol(hospital and home)? Sorry, you DON'T HAVE A DIET PROTOCOL, DO YOU?

Researchers Find Common Vitamin That Could Protect Against Toxic Alzheimer's Protein Build-Up

Popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging: Study

 

Do you really think your competent? doctor will instruct the dietician to get this correctly in your diet protocol? Sorry, you DON'T HAVE A DIET PROTOCOL, DO YOU? And remove it from the vending machines and the convenience store?

Popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging: Study

Protein Restriction Improves Metabolism and Longevity

 Whoa! Goes against everything we've been hearing about protein lately. Ask your doctor to clarify. Can your doctor get you active enough(100% recovered?) to need more protein?

Protein Restriction Improves Metabolism and Longevity

Summary: A major review of over 350 studies suggests that reducing protein intake improves metabolic health, reduces cellular damage, and can extend lifespan.

The review challenges recent blanket recommendations advocating higher protein consumption. While high-protein diets support muscle synthesis in active individuals and athletes, excess protein intake in sedentary populations may accelerate age-related metabolic decline.

Protein restriction triggers key anti-aging mechanisms, including the elevation of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and reduced signaling through specific branched-chain amino acids (isoleucine, valine) and methionine, promoting metabolic efficiency and cellular preservation without requiring total caloric restriction.

Key Facts

• Broad Scientific Synthesis: Evaluates data across more than 350 published studies spanning yeast, fruit flies, rodents, and human clinical trials examining protein restriction and longevity.
• FGF21 Endocrine Axis: Identifies fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) as a central metabolic driver; low protein intake elevates circulating FGF21, boosting energy expenditure, improving glycemic control, and lowering systemic inflammation.
• Key Amino Acid Drivers: Pinpoints methionine, isoleucine, and valine as primary amino acid drivers of growth signaling pathways that, when overconsumed without physical activity, promote inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and accelerated aging.
• Calorie-Independent Benefits: Demonstrates that restricting protein intake yields weight loss, reduced fat mass, and lower fasting blood glucose in human trials without requiring overall caloric restriction.
• Activity-Dependent Nuance: Highlights that regular exercise and high physical activity insulate athletes and active individuals from the metabolic risks of high-protein diets by utilizing amino acids directly for muscle remodeling.

Source: Cell Press

Protein-fortified foods are popping up everywhere, from cereal and coffee to even protein water. But a new review covering over 350 papers on protein restriction and aging—publishing July 31 in the Cell Press journal Cell Press Blue—suggests that consuming less protein could have greater health benefits and could, in some cases, extend lifespan. The authors describe how protein restriction slows aging by improving metabolism, changing how cells respond to nutrients, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function. 

“It’s absolutely crystal clear that there are benefits of protein to muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals,” says Dudley Lamming, the paper’s corresponding author, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences.” 

For decades, scientists have known that eating less calories can extend lifespan in many organisms and reduce the risk of age-related diseases like cancer. But maintaining a calorie-restricted diet is difficult for most people. 

Previous studies have found that eating less protein can extend the lifespan of flies and rodents without reducing their calorie consumption. Several recent clinical trials in humans have also shown that reducing protein intake can reduce weight and fat mass and improve fasting blood sugar in humans, even though protein-restricted individuals tend to eat more calories.  

But at the same time, some studies have found that eating more protein could promote weight loss and reduce age-related muscle loss in older adults when paired with exercise. Those findings prompted US authorities to update its dietary guidelines this year, recommending an increase in daily protein intake to 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight (0.5–0.7 grams per pound), nearly doubling the previous recommendations.   

With Americans consuming more protein than ever and older adults encouraged to boost their intake, Lamming and his colleague set off to review decades of research on protein restriction and aging. Drawing on more than 350 papers, the team outlined potential mechanisms that consistently emerge across studies and may explain how protein-restricted diets could improve health and promote longevity. These mechanisms suggest that protein restriction slows aging by improving metabolism, changing how cells respond to nutrients, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function. 

One of the key players is a hormone called fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which rises when protein intake is low. FGF21 can increase the body’s energy expenditure, improve blood sugar control, and reduce inflammation. Studies in mice have shown that animals with higher FGF21 levels lived longer than normal mice, and the benefit was more pronounced in male mice than female mice. Eating less protein raises FGF21 levels in humans as well. 

The review also highlights several amino acids, the building blocks of protein, that appear to drive many of these effects, including methionine, isoleucine, and valine. Studies show that consuming too much of these amino acids could trigger biological processes that promote growth, increasing the risk of obesity, inflammation, and other age-related diseases.  

“These studies show that the amount of protein sedentary people are eating today may have negative health consequences, at least at the population level,” Lamming says. 

He adds that while some people, like pregnant women and some older adults, have higher protein needs, for most sedentary adults, protein-fortified food may not provide the health benefits people expect.  

Lamming notes that athletes often consume large amounts of protein without developing metabolic diseases. He suspects that regular exercise, perhaps by using protein to build strong healthy muscles, helps protect them from the negative health effects associated with a protein-rich diet. 

“Recent recommendations have encouraged people to eat more protein, but they’ve also encouraged people to exercise more,” Lamming says. “We probably need to personalize protein recommendations based not just on age, but also on how physically active people are.”  

Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging, the Wisconsin Partnership Program, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Key Questions Answered:

Q: How does protein restriction improve metabolic health without cutting total calories?

A: Reducing protein intake triggers an increase in the hormone FGF21, which enhances energy expenditure, decreases systemic inflammation, and improves blood sugar control. Additionally, lowering the intake of specific amino acids like isoleucine, valine, and methionine dials back growth signaling pathways that otherwise drive metabolic stress and fat accumulation.

Q: Why are high-protein diets harmful for sedentary individuals but beneficial for athletes?

A: Active individuals and athletes rapidly utilize ingested amino acids to repair and synthesize muscle tissue, neutralizing excess metabolic stress. In sedentary individuals, unneeded amino acids overstimulate nutrient-sensing growth pathways, which can lead to insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, and accelerated cellular aging.

Q: Should older adults automatically lower their protein intake based on this review?

A: Not necessarily. Nutritional needs are highly individualized; older adults facing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) or pregnant women often require higher protein levels, particularly when paired with resistance exercise. The review emphasizes that dietary protein guidelines should be personalized based on physical activity levels and specific physiological demands rather than applied as a single population-wide target.

Editorial Notes:

• This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
• Journal paper reviewed in full.
• Additional context added by our staff.

About this diet and aging research news

Author: Julia Grimmett
Source: Cell Press
Contact: Julia Grimmett – Cell Press
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“The Hallmarks of Protein and Amino Acid Restriction in Aging and Longevity” by Bailey A. Knopf, Dudley W. Lamming. Cell Press Blue
DOI:10.1016/j.cpblue.2026.100079

One Pattern In Adulthood Predicted Measurably Worse Brain Health Decades Later by mindbodygreen

 My finances have always been decent except for the 50% salary during my six month disabilty session.

One Pattern In Adulthood Predicted Measurably Worse Brain Health Decades Later

Personal and High-Intensity Gait Factors Associated with Balance Personal and High-Intensity Gait Factors Associated with Balance and Walking Improvement with Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Restrospective Study

With the possibility of blowing out an artery, why would anyone do high intensity training? If your mentors don't know of that problem, find some competent ones!

Did they sign a waiver acknowledging the risk of stroke from HIT?

Do you really want to do high intensity training?

Because Andrew Marr blames high-intensity training for his stroke. 

Can too much exercise cause a stroke?

The latest here:

Personal and High-Intensity Gait Factors Associated with Balance Personal and High-Intensity Gait Factors Associated with Balance and Walking Improvement with Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Restrospective Study

Heather Staal Western Michigan University

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Movement and Mind-Body Therapies Commons, and the Physical Therapy Commons

Objective: 

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between personal factors and High-Intensity Gait variables and balance and walking improvement in an outpatient stroke population. Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with persistent gait and balance impairments commonly limiting independence and participation. High-intensity gait training (HIGT) is an evidence-based rehabilitation approach that improves walking outcomes following stroke; however, guidance on how specific training variables are applied in outpatient physical therapy settings remains broad. 

Methods: 

This retrospective observational study analyzes clinical data from outpatient physical therapy episodes in which HIGT is a primary intervention. Personal factors include age, stroke severity, and stroke chronicity. HIGT variables include visit frequency, total number of visits, duration of gait training per session, type of walking practice, and the proportion of sessions reaching target training intensity. Balance and walking outcomes are assessed using percentage change scores on the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, Ten Meter Walk Test, and Six Minute Walk Test. Multiple linear regression models are used to examine associations between predictors and outcomes. Exploratory spline models are used to evaluate potential nonlinear relationships. 

Results: 

Results indicate that walking outcomes are most strongly associated with cumulative therapy exposure and training intensity, whereas balance outcomes demonstrate greater variability and possible nonlinear patterns. Age and stroke chronicity do not consistently predict improvement, while stroke severity is associated with proportional gains for walking endurance and speed. The single predictor that was associated with improvements in walking speed and endurance was the number of therapy visits an individual received. 

Conclusion: 

These findings suggest that improvements in balance and walking following outpatient stroke rehabilitation are associated with both personal factors and the specific manner in which HIGT is delivered. Prioritizing higher frequency of visits or number of therapy visits, as well as target intensity during HIGT interventions in outpatient therapy, could optimize balance and walking outcomes following stroke. This study was exploratory in nature, and future studies that include non-linear analysis and variables affecting participation in outpatient therapy are recommended. 

An Alzheimer's researcher shares 1 daily supplement and 1 mantra he recommends to everyone for brain health

 New research on Omega-3s comes to a different conclusion. The rest is just standard boilerplate dementia prevention; guidelines, NOT PROTOCOLS that would guarantee not getting it!

Are Omega-3 Supplements Actually Good for Your Brain? 

The latest here:

An Alzheimer's researcher shares 1 daily supplement and 1 mantra he recommends to everyone for brain health

Dr. Rudolph Tanzi takes multiple supplements to reduce brain aging. Dr. Rudolph Tanzi© Dr. Rudolph Tanzi

• As the brain ages, protein buildup and inflammation are linked to conditions like Alzheimer's.
• Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, a brain aging researcher, takes supplements like omega-3 and cat's claw extract.
• He participated in creating or advising on most of the supplements he takes.

If Dr. Rudolph Tanzi has learned anything from his many years of research, it is that nothing helps the brain more than healthy habits.

"Even if you're taking supplements, nothing substitutes for lifestyle," Tanzi, the director of Genetics and Aging Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor of child neurology at Harvard Medical School, told Business Insider.

Tanzi, who is entering clinical trials for his own supplement brand CogniSHIELD, said "SHIELD" is a reference to an acronym he came up with to encourage good brain health and potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other cognitive issues down the road.

He shared why he recommends SHIELD to everyone and one daily supplement he takes to boost his brain health.

A mantra for great brain health

Tanzi broke down what SHIELD stands for:

• Sleep for 7-8 hours a night to clear harmful protein buildup, such as amyloid plaques. "The faster you make amyloid, the sooner you get Alzheimer's," Tanzi said.
• Handle stress. "Chronic stress causes chronic inflammation," he said. Being more mindful can reduce the chances of cognitive decline.
• Interact with others. Loneliness negatively impacts the brain — and increases the risk of Alzheimer's "twofold," Tanzi said.
• Exercise to encourage nerve cell growth and dissolve amyloid buildup.
• Learn new things. "The more synapses you make in life, it's like money in the bank," Tanzi said. Keeping busy and having hobbies are also linked to greater longevity.
• Diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Tanzi recommended focusing on plants to balance the gut microbiome. While Tanzi said more research is needed to understand why a healthy gut is linked to the removal of amyloid, he said a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains definitely helps.

He takes omega-3 for slower brain aging

Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits, such as lowering inflammation and reducing the risk of blood clots.

Mounting evidence suggests those effects confer anti-aging benefits. For example, in a 2025 study of 777 participants, those who took a gram of omega-3 a day experienced slower brain aging. The effect was more pronounced for people who also exercised and took vitamin D supplements.

Related video: Study identifies protein that could help protect memory as we age (WKYC-TV Cleveland)

While omega-3 can be found in foods like salmon and chia seeds, taking supplements like fish oil can help make up for any dietary deficits.

Tanzi, a vegetarian, takes daily vegan omega-3 supplements made from algae. For people looking into fish oil supplements, he advised doing research on the brand.

He said he likes brands like Centrum and Nordic Naturals (he has no affiliations with either) because of their distilling processes.

"Oceans, unfortunately, are filthy," he said. Some companies may not be adequately filtering their fish oil to get toxic heavy metals like mercury or cadmium out. "If you're buying fish oil capsules and they're not double- or triple-distilled, you may be doing more harm than good."

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on MSN.

This microbiome could be the key to optimal health (hint: it’s not in your gut)

 

When will your competent? doctor get AN EXACT PROTOCOL ON THIS?  Incompetent ones will answer that by doing nothing! And have a protocol that prevents oral bacteria from colonizing your mouth!

• oral bacteria (2 posts to May 2019)

This microbiome could be the key to optimal health (hint: it’s not in your gut)Ignoring your oral microbiome may cause inflammation, not just in your mouth, but throughout your body as well.

Reviewed by Dietitian Mandy Enright, M.S., RDN, RYT

Key Points

• The oral microbiome hosts hundreds of bacterial species that can trigger an inflammatory response in the body.
• Ignoring this microbiome can increase risk of gum disease, heart disease and diabetes.
• Routine brushing, flossing and dentist visits can keep this microbiome and your body healthy.

You’ve likely heard of the gut microbiome and may be aware of its health effects, but do you know about the oral microbiome? “The oral microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that colonize the oral cavity (mouth), including the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and throat,” says Payton Brewer, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT. The oral microbiome is extensive, containing more than 700 identified bacterial species. “The oral microbiome acts as both a gatekeeper to protect against pathogens and support immune signaling, and as a gateway as the first stage of digestion,” Brewer adds.

Unlike the gut microbiome, which primarily resides in the digestive tract, the oral microbiome is the first microbial community that food, drinks and outside organisms encounter when they enter the body. However, the health of the oral microbiome is often overlooked, as many signs of dental or gum problems may not be apparent. Over time, however, an imbalance in oral bacteria may impact more than your mouth, but affect overall health.

Increases Risk of Gum Disease

Ignoring the oral microbiome increases the risk of gum disease by promoting plaque formation and inflammation, causing tissue damage. “The oral microbiome forms biofilms (dental plaque) on teeth,” explains Dr. Warren O Rodriguez-Carlo, DMD. “When these biofilms become imbalanced, they can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease,” he adds. This, in turn, causes an inflammatory response that can damage the tissues supporting the teeth.

Related video: What drinking coffee every day is actually doing to your gut (unbranded - Lifestyle)“When harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial bacteria, plaque accumulates and triggers inflammation,” says Rodriguez-Carlo. This may lead to gum disease, a broad term for inflammation and infection of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. There are two subclasses of gum disease: gingivitis (inflamed gums) and periodontitis (bone loss). Gingivitis is largely preventable and treatable, whereas periodontitis is an irreversible condition. If left unchecked, Julie Pace, RDN warns, “this imbalance in the oral microbiome can influence health throughout the body, affecting the heart, blood sugar regulation, gut and brain.”

Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

“Although oral bacteria are not the sole cause of cardiovascular disease, poor periodontal health is consistently associated with increased risk of heart disease,” shares Rodriguez-Carlo. When gums become inflamed, bacteria and inflammatory molecules can enter the bloodstream, explains Rodriguez-Carlo. When this happens, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases, as inflammatory molecules contribute to arterial plaque buildup, vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, he adds. Additionally, the risk of heart attack and stroke also increases.

Can Influence Brain Health

“Emerging research suggests that chronic gum inflammation and certain oral bacteria may contribute to inflammation in the brain, highlighting a potential connection between oral health and cognitive health,” shares Pace. Notably, some research indicates a link between periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease. An imbalanced oral microbiome may allow harmful bacteria, fungi and their byproducts to enter the bloodstream and potentially cross the blood-brain barrier. Once there, these microbes may activate the brain’s immune cells, triggering chronic inflammation and a buildup of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Although intriguing, additional human research is necessary to fully understand the link between oral health and brain health.

Can Make Blood Sugar Regulation More Challenging

“Gum disease and diabetes have a two-way relationship: oral inflammation can make blood sugar control more difficult, while elevated blood sugar increases the risk of gum infection and slows healing,” explains Pace. Furthermore, elevated blood sugar weakens the body’s immune response, promoting inflammation and making the body more susceptible to gum infections. Oral inflammation can spread to the rest of the body, leading to chronic inflammation, which makes blood sugar regulation even more challenging. Treating gum disease may modestly improve blood sugar levels, according to research.

What to Do to Support the Oral Microbiome

• Brush your teeth. Rodriguez-Carlo recommends brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste to support your oral microbiome.
• Floss daily. “Clean between teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes,” says Rodriguez-Carlo. If you have trouble flossing regularly, Rodriguez-Carlo recommends keeping the floss on your counter where it’s visible rather than in the cabinet. He also suggests habit stacking with brushing your teeth—floss immediately before brushing each night.
• Brush your tongue. Your tongue is home to many bacteria that can influence the oral microbiome, and cleaning your tongue is one way to support it. “Brush the tongue to reduce harmful bacterial buildup,” says Rodriguez-Carlo.
• Stay hydrated. Maintaining hydration supports saliva production, which naturally helps regulate the oral microbiome, explains Rodriguez-Carlo.
• Limit antimicrobial mouthwash. Antimicrobial mouthwash kills both beneficial and harmful bacteria, so it’s important not to use it for prolonged periods. “Use antimicrobial mouthwash only when indicated by a dental professional,” cautions Rodriguez-Carlo.
• Routinely visit the dentist. Regular preventive dental care helps keep your oral microbiome healthy and can help you catch issues before they become more serious.

Our Expert Take

The oral microbiome plays a much bigger role in health than many individuals realize. When harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial ones, inflammation can occur, potentially leading to gum disease and additional health complications. But you can prevent gum disease with healthy oral habits, such as regular dentist visits, daily brushing and flossing and staying hydrated. Enacting these habits not only supports a healthier microbial balance but may also offer additional benefits for overall health.

Read the original article on EatingWell