New Iodine Mouthwash Shows Promise of Lowering Cholesterol as Well as Fighting Gingivitis
Your cholesterol is high; your doctor’s advice – cleanse your mouth with an iodine based oral rinse. Sound far fetched? Actually, according to a recent study, a new oral rinse has shown it can lower LDL cholesterol levels as well as fighting gingivitis.
The results of a recent study has shown that a new oral rinse was not only safe and effective at fighting gingivitis, but was also effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels – the “bad” cholesterol – of a clinical trial group when compared to that of the placebo group.
Dr. Charles Gauntt, the study’s principal investigator, said that they had expected the rinse to be safe and effective at fighting gingivitis, but hadn’t expected it to lower LDL cholesterol levels. He added, “This definitely merits further study.”
The oral rinse’s active ingredient is a proprietary formula based on iodine and is designed to be used once a day, as a 30-second oral rinse.
Iodine is known to be effective in inactivating viruses, bacteria and funguses. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet on iodine shows that iodine plays a vital role in the human body, from helping the thyroid function properly to assisting in the body’s immune response system, as well.
Recent research has shown that there is a close link between oral health and cardiovascular health, although researchers are not exactly sure how the two are related. People with periodontal disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology, have coronary artery disease approximately twice that of those without gum disease.
Although this new research is promising, a longer clinical trial will be needed to evaluate the effects of the iodine based oral rinse. A six-month clinical trial is currently being conducted by the Center for Oral Health Research at the University of Kentucky. The new trial will monitor both gingivitis and LDL cholesterol levels on gingivitis patients.
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on Aug 5th, 2013
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