Exercise and omega-3 reduce periodontitis
The combination limited bacterial progression and reduced bone tissue loss.
Physical exercise combined with omega-3 supplementation considerably improves the immune response and reduces the severity of chronic apical periodontitis, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Inflammation at the apex of the tooth – the tip of the root – and in the surrounding area is primarily caused by caries. If left untreated, the bacteria can reach the root canal and pass through it to the apex, causing apical periodontitis. This condition leads to bone loss in the area.
The study is the first to demonstrate that a combination of moderate physical exercise and omega-3 supplementation significantly improves the inflammatory condition caused by apical periodontitis. This combination limited bacterial progression, reduced bone tissue loss, regulated the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and stimulated the activity of fibroblasts, the cells that create and maintain tissue.
The researchers induced apical periodontitis in 30 rats and divided them into three groups. The first group received no intervention. The second and third groups underwent a 30-day swimming regimen. The third group also received dietary supplementation of omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid known for its therapeutic effects on chronic inflammatory diseases.
The group that only swam had better outcomes than the untreated control group. However, omega-3 supplementation combined with physical exercise regulated the immune response and infection control even more.
“To know if the same would be true for humans, we’d need a clinical study with a significant number of patients,” said Ana Paula Fernandes Ribeiro, one of the authors. “However, in addition to the many proven benefits of physical exercise and omega-3 consumption, this is yet another important piece of evidence.”