Can You Feel the Love?
The Secret to Living a Longer, Healthier Life
Healthier Immune Systems Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at Ohio State University Medical Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. Longer, Happier Lives Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.” So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love.
The human
brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten
memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that.
Less Stress Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies
have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical health as well as mental. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress-inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men.
Your heart is a powerful little organ. It works day and night to make sure your body gets the oxygen and circulation it needs to survive, but for as vital as your heart is, it’s also very vulnerable. Your diet, activity level, habits, genetics, and teeth all play a role in its health. The Connections Between Your Oral and Cardiac Health MATTERS OF THE HEART For centuries, medicine and dentistry were not linked. It took research within the last century for many professionals to actively connect your mouth to your heart — and the rest of your body — and to understand that your mouth plays a big role in your health. Recent research has pointed to a correlation between the plaque that builds up along your gums, causing gingivitis and periodontitis, with heart disease. This combination is often worsened by a third factor, such as smoking or having a poor diet. Regular dental appointments, brushing, and flossing can be an extra defense against heart disease because as you clear away the plaque that can harm or destroy your mouth, the chances of this bacteria traveling throughout your body and causing further issues are limited. That’s right — your heart and teeth have more in common than you may think.
With this research in mind, a simple way to ensure you’re taking care of your heart is to also take care of your teeth. Luckily, many of the same habits that are good for your teeth are also good for your heart. For example, your teeth need foods that are dense in calcium, vitamins A and D, and potassium. They also enjoy low-sugar snacks. Likewise, your heart needs low-sugar foods, potassium, and vitamin D to thrive. To enjoy foods your heart and your chompers will appreciate, look for leafy greens or low-sugar dairy products. And while you’re monitoring what you consume, your heart and teeth will appreciate you not smoking and only enjoying alcohol moderately. Your mouth is a gateway to the remainder of your body, and its connections don’t stop at the heart. To learn more about how your oral health can impact your overall health, visit MyBestDentalCare.com, and call 301.993.1833 or 240.683.3833 to schedule your appointment today. Your teeth and your heart will thank you!
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