Taking natural supplements can provide excellent health benefits. Previously, on this site there has been discussion of how the omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil could help potentially improve periodontitis, see the post Fish Oil to Help Periodontal Disease. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that is increasingly the cause of tooth loss and a common reason for needing to have wisdom teeth extracted. It is the sixth most common disease in the world. Different pharmaceutical drugs can be used for treatment; however, many are instead interested in natural therapies.
Fortunately, research continues to show that omega-3 fatty acids can be used as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Omega fatty acids are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which cannot be synthesized by the body and must be ingested with food or obtained through supplementation. In a study titled “What is the impact of the adjunctive use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of periodontitis? A systematic review and meta-analysis,” written by Anne B. Kruse et. al., appearing in Lipids in Health and Disease in 2020 (vol. 10, issue 100) the researchers set out to perform a systematic review to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in periodontal therapy. The authors performed a meta analysis that resulted in six studies being used that explored using omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of periodontitis and explored clinical signs of clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing depth (PD) after treatment. The authors found that there was a significant reduction in probing depth and clinical attachment level compared to a placebo group in four of the six studies in their meta analysis. Further, in three of the studies both gingival index and plaque index were reduced after receiving the omega-3 fatty acids. The authors state:
“The overall predominantly positive effect of omega-3 supplementation supports the idea of using host modulating therapeutic approaches more intensively in the treatment of periodontitis to prevent progressive tissue destruction. A special influence can be observed in PD and CAL, where, in most cases, a significant reduction occurred…The intake of fish oil capsules during periodontal therapy is easy and not too expensive to generally include it in a regular regimen.
One important item to note in the study is that the six studies used in the meta analysis had the daily doses of omega-3 fatty acids given between 50 mg and 3000 mg. The authors note the dose and duration of the omega-3 fatty acids given could be an important factor from a health perspective. Thus, the study appears to lack the ability to hone on the composition of the omega-3 fatty acids. Fortunately, medicine experts like Dr. Ryan Shelton have used their extensive knowledge of alternative medicine along with developments in traditional medicine to formulate supplements to maximize results. One such product offered is called OMEGA 3-7-9 + Krill that combines omega-3 fatty acids, with omega-7 fatty acids, and omega-9 fatty acids along with Krill Oil to maximize absorption. Even so, the authors do mention briefly an ““omega-3 index” which reflects the ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids.
Thus, those wanting to improve their periodontal health can benefit from nutritional supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. By increasing awareness of those in the world on the benefits of nutritional health supplementation, hopefully the continued increase of periodontitis leading to tooth loss will reverse. It is also important to note that the Western Diet does not lead to enough omega-3 fatty acids consumed through food and thus supplements are essential.