Dental Implants and Healing Processes
The resolution of inflammation as an active process.
Hi there,
I started Genetic Lifehacks because I was amazed at the research available on genetics, but also dismayed at the lack of use of this information. I kept thinking - why doesn't everyone use this type of information for health and nutrition?
Over the years, I've found that there is often not all that much research on some topics that I think should be well covered. At other times, I'm pleasantly surprised at the extensive research available.
The new article on dental implants was one where I was happy to find so much research, with hundreds of trials on different materials, research on what causes failures, and even studies on genetic variants. In hindsight, though, it is a pretty lucrative industry, meaning there is money for research...
Out of all the studies on implants and why they fail, there were only a handful of research papers explaining the importance of the resolution of inflammation and pro-resolving mediators in the healing process.
A key to healing any type of wound is the availability of specialized pro-resolving mediators, which promote the active process of resolving inflammation.
I've talked about pro-resolving mediators in previous newsletters, but wanted to revisit the topic because it is so important -- and so often overlooked.
Pro-resolving mediators are lipids that signal for the return to homeostasis, the healing up and restoration of the tissue. These lipid mediators are derived from omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. Without enough DHA and EPA available, the healing processes for wound repair and resolving inflammation can't be completed.
This is a highly important topic in our modern world. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, neurodegeneration, neuropathy, and gum disease are all rooted in constant, low-level inflammation.
Ancestral diets were high in omega-3 fatty acids fom eating fish or grass-fed animals. Modern diets have had a huge shift to very high omega-6 fatty acids, such as from seed oils and industrial farmed animals.
Without enough of the DHA and EPA from omega-3 fatty acids, we can't synthesize the pro-resolving mediators that are essential for resolving inflammation. Thus, chronic diseases are the bane of our modern society.
Getting back to dental implants: You'll find in the article that without adequate pro-resolving mediators, inflammation remains at low levels and can eventually lead to implant failure.
Gratefully yours,
Debbie
Dental Implants: Genetic Reasons for Implant Failures
Key Takeaways:
~ Dental implants can replace a lost tooth, filling the gap and preventing bone loss.
~ The published failure rate of dental implants it fairly low, but the rate of peri-implantitis, or inflammation in the implant area, is about 1 in 3.
~ Genetic variants can have a surprisingly large impact on the likelihood of peri-implantitis and the long-term success of your dental implant.
Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators: Getting Rid of Chronic Inflammation
What if I told you that modern medicine has it all wrong when it comes to chronic disease? Some of you are likely nodding in agreement, and others are raising a skeptical eyebrow right now.
Recent research has created a paradigm shift in understanding the root cause of most chronic diseases. Mainstream medicine hasn’t really caught up yet.
This article applies to everyone with a chronic disease: heart disease, diabetes, gum disease, neurodegeneration, neuropathy, arthritis, chronic pancreatitis, etc.
Healthy and young? This article holds the keys to staying that way.
What I've been reading:
Urolithiun A is a metabolite of ellagic acid produced by certain bacteria in the gut. It has been studied for its beneficial properties on healthspan, mitochondrial function, heart health, and more. Previous research has shown that there are a few key bacteria that make urolithin A, and not everyone has them in their microbiome.
This animal study is interesting because they found that a specific strain of Lactobacillus plantarum can convert ellagic acid into urolithin A. The researchers used this strain of L. plantarum to ferment pomegranate juice, which was then shown to extend lifespan in the animals.