Kenneth Woo DDS - March 2020

Fact vs. Fiction: The Mediterranean Diet

An Easy Way to Eat Healthier for Your Heart

Myth No. 2: It’s expensive. False. You don’t have to eat only what’s native to the Mediterranean, so don’t swear off avocados just yet. Eat locally by choosing in-season fruits and vegetables that benefit your diet and your wallet. You’ll find that preparing meals centered on vegetables and whole grains is very affordable, especially when you get your grains from dry bulk bins. And while buying olives and cheese might be expensive, you can get away with buying small amounts. Try different brands of canned olives for affordable alternatives to bottled ones. Plus, some grocery stores place cheap cuts of their premium cheeses near the deli. Myth No. 3: Nutritionally, it’s 30%–40% fat. True. But be careful about which type of fat. The Mediterranean diet relies heavily on olive oil instead of butter or lard for cooking. Saturated fats, trans fats, or hydrogenated fats like palm oil don’t contribute positively to your heart health, but a diet based on natural fats can improve your overall cholesterol levels. Fatty fish are also crucial for the Mediterranean diet and include salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, albacore, and lake trout. Thanks to omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of these fish improves your blood circulation and reduces inflammation in the body. If you’re concerned about your heart health, try out this plant-based diet with a focus on foods local to you for long-term health and delicious meals. Your body will thank you!

While the basis of the Mediterranean

diet has been a staple in its titular region for centuries, it wasn’t until

the 1960s that nutritionists popularized the concept in

Western culture. Doctors noticed that Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy have fewer heart disease-related deaths than the U.S. and northern Europe. When they looked

to regional eating habits for answers, they found a common plant-based diet rich in healthy fats, seafood, and bread. However, in modern years, misconceptions plague the popular diet, so let’s clear some up.

Brushing and flossing don’t require too much of your attention — similar to chewing or putting on socks. But if you’re seeing a swirl of red when you spit in the sink or if the floss you run between your teeth is coming out pink, your gums are sending you a signal that it’s time to pay attention. Gingivitis and periodontitis are two of the most common conditions that cause bleeding gums. When plaque builds up along the lining of your gums, it can harden, become more difficult to remove, and eat away at the health of your teeth and gums. This accumulation can cause sore, bleeding, and puffy-looking gums — all symptoms of gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. The effects of periodontitis are beyond skin-deep and can affect the integrity and function of your jaw and the tissues that support the movement of your mouth. Beyond common dental conditions, seeing blood in the sink can be a sign of vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects, ill-fitting oral appliances or dentures, and in some rare cases, leukemia and hemophilia (a blood-clotting disorder). What Blood in the Sink After Brushing or Flossing Means (And How We Can Help!) SEEING RED? Myth No. 1: It’s rigid. False. There are no defined portion sizes for the Mediterranean diet. Instead, it comes with a loose guideline: Eat a plant-based diet of mostly fruits and vegetables with a weekly intake of fish, poultry, beans, and eggs. Dairy products are allowed in conservative amounts, but nutritionists discourage red meat intake whenever possible. To the delight of many Mediterranean dieters, a moderate amount of red wine is encouraged!

toothbrush and the proper flossing technique twice each day can be vital to gentle, thorough cleaning. Furthermore, regular dental appointments can be your best defense against bleeding gums. At Woo Wang Dental, we can monitor your gums for signs of pain and damage, and we won’t just leave you to your own devices at home! Our team can help you select the best toothbrush for optimal cleaning power and the light cleaning your gums need. In addition, we can teach you about proper flossing technique, walk you through the options, and help you choose the right method. You don’t have to fight a bloody sink on your own. Our team is here to offer your gums some relief and give you the tools you need to fight against it. Learn more about our treatment offerings and schedule your appointment at MyBestDentalCare.com. You can also call our teams at 301.933.1833 or 240.683.3833.

The good news for those seeing blood in the sink is that treatment and future prevention for bleeding gums is fairly easy. Using a soft-bristled

2 mybestdentalcare.com

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online