Latest news with #Fusobacteriumnucleatum
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Mouthwashes get a bad rap — scientists found one that lets good bacteria flourish
Gum and get it. While mouthwash is widely regarded as an excellent weapon against gum disease, it has the unfortunate tendency of wiping out all of the good bacteria with the bad. But a recent study — published in Frontiers in Oral Health — says it doesn't have to be this way. Advertisement Researchers have found a mouthwash — a natural one, at that — that seems to kill off nasty germs while nurturing friendly microbes. IC Production – Researchers have found a mouthwash — a natural one, at that — that seems to kill off nasty germs while nurturing friendly microbes. 'It's a paradigm shift,' Georgios Kotsakis, assistant dean for clinical research at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, said in a press release. Advertisement 'We're moving from eradicating all bacteria to focusing on selectivity. We want to keep the good bacteria alive while targeting the bad.' Researchers pitted a natural rinse called StellaLife VEGA Oral Care against two common mouthwashes — prescription-strength chlorhexidine and Listerine Cool Mint. The herbal option slashed levels of harmful bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, but spared helpful microbes such as Streptococcus oralis and Veillonella parvula. 'These good bacteria have important functions,' Kotsakis said. 'They synergize with your tissues. They actually kill some of the bad bacteria themselves.' Advertisement Researchers pitted a natural rinse called StellaLife VEGA Oral Care against two common mouthwashes — prescription-strength chlorhexidine and Listerine Cool Mint. StellaLife In contrast, both Listerine and chlorhexidine nuked all of the bacteria, with chlorhexidine decimating some beneficial bacteria by a staggering million-fold. Kotsakis said next steps would involve moving to clinical trials. Advertisement The findings are refreshing in light of the fact that mouthwash has become a somewhat contentious topic, with even experts disagreeing on how beneficial — or necessary — it is. Kotsakis himself has a pretty balanced perspective on the issue. 'If you're brushing and flossing like a dentist — regularly and perfectly — you may not need a mouthwash, but in reality, even the best of us can miss some surfaces during cleaning at home.' While the Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing, UK dental surgeon Shaadi Manouchehri suggests doing it the other way around. 'I used to use mouthwash after I brushed my teeth, and this is the worst thing you can do,' she said in a TikTok video that launched quite a debate. 'If you use mouthwash straight after, that's rinsing away the protective fluoride layer [the toothpaste provides], and it's going to make your teeth more susceptible to getting cavities.'
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vitamin D can lower the risk of THIS type of cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Over the years, conversations around prevention have shifted towards lifestyle, diet, and the role of certain vitamins. One nutrient that keeps cropping up in research is vitamin D. Quite commonly known as the 'sunshine vitamin,' this compound is now being looked at for something more serious than bone health its potential to prevent or even slow down colorectal cancer (CRC). Here's all we need to know about what the science says, and what it really means. A growing number of studies suggest that people with higher levels of vitamin D have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. In fact, a major meta-analysis found a 39% reduced risk in certain studies, and a 20% reduced risk in longer-term, prospective studies. This link first came to light when researchers noticed that areas with less sunlight (and therefore less vitamin D) had higher colorectal cancer death rates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning it requires dietary fat for absorption. Taking it with a meal containing healthy fats (like avocados, nuts, or olive oil) enhances its effectiveness. Since Vitamin D influences sleep hormones, taking it at night may interfere with sleep. But is that the whole story? Vitamin D doesn't just float around in the bloodstream. Once it becomes calcitriol, its active form, it gets to work deep inside the body. Here's what calcitriol is known to do, especially when it comes to cancer cells: Slows down the growth of cancer cells Promotes the natural death of abnormal cells (apoptosis) Helps healthy cells mature properly Prevents tumors from building new blood vessels (antiangiogenesis) That means vitamin D doesn't just 'support' the body—it actively helps keep cancer cells in check. The gut is where colorectal cancer begins and vitamin D plays an important role in keeping this area healthy. It helps maintain intestinal cell integrity, ensuring the cells lining the colon grow in an orderly fashion. It also has an important impact on the gut microbiome. In people with CRC, the gut shows a clear shift: harmful bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum increase, while beneficial species like Akkermansia muciniphila go down. Low vitamin D levels make this imbalance worse, which can lead to inflammation and a higher risk of cancer. A deficiency in vitamin D is now seen as a serious risk factor for colorectal cancer. People who don't get enough sun, who have darker skin, or who follow a low-vitamin D diet may be at greater risk without even knowing it. Exercise can lower risk of getting bowel cancer: Study This isn't just about long-term risk deficiency can also speed up disease progression in people already diagnosed with CRC. That's why many oncologists are beginning to pay attention to vitamin D levels during treatment. Still, the current body of evidence is strong enough that maintaining healthy vitamin D levels is now considered an important strategy, not just for bone health, but also for long-term protection against serious diseases like CRC.
