Bacterial Infections

Respiratory tract Respiratory tract infections are very common and affect all ages. Most are due to viruses, infection-causing agents smaller than bacteria. Viral respiratory infections are usually self-limiting and improve without antibiotics. Bacterial infections causing sinusitis, pharyngitis (throat infection), and pneumonia are common in children, the elderly and the immune-suppressed. The death rate due to pneumonia in the elderly is about 15 percent. Digestive tract Many foodborne illnesses are due to bacteria or the toxins they produce. Food that is mishandled during a summer picnic or left out for several hours allows the bacteria staphylococcus aureus to proliferate and produce a toxin that causes severe nausea and vomiting. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining in about 80 percent of people with peptic ulcers. H. pylori is strongly associated with both the formation of ulcers and delayed healing. The exact mechanism for this is not fully known. Antibiotics are part of the treatment for peptic ulcer. Urinary tract Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria from the genital tract or perineal area (between the genitals and anus) contaminate the urethra (urine passageway). This occurs most commonly in sexually active women. Women are prone to UTIs during pregnancy. Postmenopausal women may develop incontinence and UTIs following hysterectomy. In addition, incomplete bladder emptying, for example, due to prostatic enlargement in men, allows bacteria to accumulate. Nervous system Bacterial infections of membranes covering the brain and spinal chord (bacterial meningitis) affect people of all ages, but children less than two years old are highly susceptible. About 300 people die of meningococcal meningitis in the United States each year and about 700 die of pneumococcal meningitis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vaccination against two historically common causes of child meningitis - H. influenzae and S. pneumonia - starting at two months of age. Blood (sepsis) Sepsis is a leading cause of death mostly in the elderly or chronically ill in the United States. Severe sepsis claims 215,000 lives each year - more than breast, colon/rectal, pancreatic and prostate cancer combined. This complex syndrome, characterized by an overwhelming systemic response to infection, strikes hard and can rapidly lead to organ dysfunction and death. Bacterial infection from virtually any site in the body can pass into the bloodstream and cause sepsis. Fever, severe shaking (rigors), hypotension (low blood pressure), coma and death can result if sepsis is not quickly and properly treated. Bacteria also cause endocarditis, which is an infection of the inside surface of the heart chambers or valves.

Heavy MSG use increases overweight

EATING foods that contain lots of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavour enhancer frequently used in Asian cuisine, can make you fat, new research published in the journal Obesity suggests. Rural Chinese men and women who consumed the most MSG were more than twice as likely to be overweight than their peers who didn't use the additive, Dr. Ka He of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues found. In 1969, He and his team note in their report, a study showed that mice given large doses of MSG shortly after birth had gained more weight by four months of age than control mice, even though the control animals ate more. Researchers have also spotted injuries in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate appetite and fat metabolism, in mice given MSG. But to date no one has investigated whether MSG intake is associated with weight gain in humans, according to He's group, possibly because intake of the additive from processed foods is difficult to measure. To fill in this knowledge gap, the researchers analyzed data from the International Study of Macro-/Micro-nutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP), an investigation conducted to examine the relationship between sodium and blood pressure. The study included 752 healthy men and women living in three different rural Chinese villages. All ate very little processed food, making it easier for researchers to estimate MSG intake by looking at how much the study participants used when they prepared their meals. The researchers found that 82.4 per cent of study participants used MSG, with an average intake of 0.33 grams per day. Average body mass index (BMI) for non-MSG users was 22.3, compared to 23.5 for people who consumed the most MSG. Once the researchers adjusted the data for the affects of physical activity and the total amount of calories consumed, they found that individuals in the top third of MSG consumption were 2.1-times more likely to have a BMI of 23 or higher than non-users. A BMI of 23 is considered overweight for Asian populations by the World Health Organization. The heaviest consumers of MSG were 2.75-times more likely than non-users to have BMIs of 25 or greater, the international standard for overweight. The relationship was seen for both men and women. Almost all research in animals linking MSG to hypothalamic damage has looked at the results of injecting the substance, rather than ingesting it, and the issue of whether the additive actually causes such damage is still being debated, He and colleagues note. "Nevertheless," they add, "the findings from our study support the judgment against MSG supplementation of human foods."

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS MAY POSE RISK TO OLDER CANCER SURVIVORD

OLDER cancer survivors need to listen to warnings about the potential risks of dietary supplements, say Duke University Medical Centre researchers and colleagues. They noted that many older cancer patients who've survived five years or more take vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements in an effort to remain disease-free. However, this supplement use may backfire. "One of the most common behavioral changes cancer survivors make -- sometimes without a doctor's advice, often on their own -- is using dietary supplements in hopes of bolstering their health," researcher Denise Snyder, clinical trials manager at the Duke School of Nursing, said in a university news release. "Still, it's unclear whether supplements really help keep cancer survivors healthier or put them at further risk. They, like many other people today, use the Internet, and you can find a lot of false hope out there with supplements targeted at cancer survivors." Snyder and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre studied 753 cancer survivors, age 65 and older. About 75 per cent of them were taking dietary supplements, including multivitamins (60 per cent), calcium/vitamin D (37 per cent), antioxidants (30 per cent), and herbs, amino acids and glandular extracts. "In our study, we see people taking supplements who have good diets and who are relatively healthy. While they may need a particular vitamin because they don't get enough of it, they may not need a multivitamin or supplement because of the increased risk of cancer recurrence or secondary cancer," Snyder said. Before they start to take supplements, older cancer survivors should talk with their health care provider or a registered dietitian, she advised. The study was published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

Grapefruit, other juices decrease absorption of certain drugs, say researchers

RESEARCHERS explain how taking fruit juices with conventional medicines could lead to toxic overdose, and reduction in the absorption and efficacy of the drugs. These days it is the vogue. Most people drink fruit juices without reservation. Fruit juices are seen on the table at every meal and are used to swallow tablets and capsules. But new reasons are emerging why people should avoid taking grapefruit and other juices, including orange and apple, with certain drugs. Researchers have found that besides increasing the absorption of certain drugs-with the potential for turning normal doses into toxic overdoses-citrus fruit juices could substantially decrease the absorption of some drugs, potentially wiping out their beneficial effects. Previous studies have linked fruit juices to diabetes and heart problems. However, natural substances in citrus fruits- orange, grapefruit and tangerine- have been shown to help fight cancer, common cold, heart disease, obesity, iron deficiency, birth defects, and 'bad' cholesterol. In 2006, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States identified and established the substance in grapefruit juice that causes potentially dangerous interactions with certain medications. It was originally assumed that the ingredients responsible for drug interactions were the flavonoids that give grapefruit juice its bitter taste, but the 2006 study showed that a group of chemicals called furanocoumarins are the likely culprit. The new study published in the Newsletter of the American Chemical Society provides a new reason to avoid drinking grapefruit juice and these other juices when taking certain drugs, including some that are prescribed for fighting life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, cancer, organ-transplant rejection, and infection. The researchers say the findings represent the first controlled human studies of this type of drug-lowering interaction. Leader of the team of researchers, Dr. David G. Bailey, a professor of clinical pharmacology with the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario said: "Recently, we discovered that grapefruit and these other fruit juices substantially decrease the oral absorption of certain drugs undergoing intestinal uptake transport. "The concern is loss of benefit of medications essential for the treatment of serious medical conditions." Indeed, grapefruit is the most notable natural product that has been extensively studied for its potential interaction with conventional medicines. Grapefruit has been shown to interact with many cholesterol-lowering drugs, antihistamines (used as treatment for allergies), psychiatric medications, and others. In some cases, the results are fatal. The victims may suffer from severe, elevated side reactions, that is not normally observed when the drug is administered in prescribed doses. The most significant interaction of grapefruit juice occurred with antihistamines. Experts advise "Do not take grapefruit juice if you are taking terfenadine (seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal) due to the possibility of fata1 cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias are conditions that make the heart pump less effectively, so that not enough blood reaches the brain and other vital organs. Other non-sedating antihistamines are available which do not appear to interact with grapefruit juice, (example, loratidine (Claritin) cetirizine (Reactine) or fexofenadine (Allegra)." The drugs affected by grapefruit juice usually have some difficulty entering the body after they are consumed because an intestinal enzyme, CYP3A, partially destroys them as they are absorbed. Grapefruit juice, but not other commonly consumed fruit juices, inhibits this enzyme, allowing more of these drugs to enter the body." On grapefruit possible interaction with some conventional medications,One thing is clear, that grapefruit is a natural product and it is healthy because it contains many health giving ingredients. At what point it begins to be harmful, I am not aware of that." Bailey and colleagues were the first to announce, almost 20 years ago, the unexpected finding that grapefruit juice can dramatically boost the body's levels of the high-blood-pressure drug felodipine, causing potentially dangerous effects from excessive drug concentrations in the blood. Since then, other researchers have identified nearly 50 medications that carry the risk of grapefruit-induced drug-overdose interactions. As a result of the so-called "Grapefruit Juice Effect," some prescription drugs now carry warning labels against taking grapefruit juice or fresh grapefruit during drug consumption. In the most recent research, Bailey's group had healthy volunteers take fexofenadine, an antihistamine used to fight allergies. The volunteers consumed the drug with either a single glass of grapefruit juice, water containing only naringin (substance in grapefruit juice that gives the juice its bitter taste), or water. When fexofenadine was taken with grapefruit juice, only half of the drug was absorbed compared to taking the drug with water alone, Bailey says. Loosing half of the amount of drugs taken into the body can be critical for the performance of certain drugs, he points out. They also showed that the active ingredient of grapefruit juice, naringin, appears to block a key drug uptake transporter, called OATP1A2, involved in shuttling drugs from the small intestine to the bloodstream. Blocking this transporter reduces drug absorption and neutralises their potential benefits, the researchers say. By contrast, drugs whose levels are boosted in the presence of grapefruit juice appear to block an important drug metabolising enzyme, called CYP3A4, that normally breaks down drugs. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," Bailey says. "I'm sure we'll find more and more drugs that are affected this way." To date, grapefruit, orange and apple juices have been shown to lower the absorption of etoposide, an anticancer agent; certain beta blockers (atenolol, celiprolol, talinolol) used to treat high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks; cyclosporine, a drug taken to prevent rejection of transplanted organs; and certain antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, itraconazole). Bailey said additional drugs are likely to be added to the list, as physicians become more aware of this drug-lowering interaction. Orange and apple juices also appear to contain naringin-like substances that inhibit OATP1A2, Bailey says. The chemical in oranges appears to be hesperidin, but the chemical in apples has not yet been identified, the researchers notes. In Australia, it is routine practice to add auxiliary labelling to prescriptions for terfenadine warning of grapefruit-juice drug interactions. In the United States, the manufacturer of terfenadine has changed its prescribing information to indicate that grapefruit juice should not be taken with terfenadine. The most significant documented grapefruit juice drug interaction occurred with terfenadine (Seldane). A previously healthy 29-year old male used terfenadine twice daily for one year to treat allergic rhinitis. The patient drank grapefruit juice two to three times weekly. On the day of his death, he consumed two glasses of juice, took his terfenadine dose, and proceeded to mow the lawn. He became ill, collapsed and died. Post-mortem terfenadine metabolite plasma levels were reported as 35 ng/mL and 130, ng/mL respectively. (In normal cases, the plasma concentration is not detectable.) These levels are within range of previously noted arrhythmogenic levels of terfenadine. The individual had both cardiomegaly and hepatomega1y, but no evidence of impaired hepatic function. To study the effect of grapefruit juice on terfenadine 12 healthy subjects were given terfenadine 60 mg with either water or grapefruit juice, co-administered with terfenadine or delayed by two hours. The results showed that none of the 12 had quantifiable levels when the drug was given with water. Of subjects who took terfenadine co-administered with grapefruit juice, 100 percent had quantifiable terfenadine levels. Of subjects who delayed grapefruit juice ingestion by two hours, 33 per cent had quantifiable levels. In the group of subjects which co-administered grapefruit juice and terfenadine, a significant mean prolongation in the QT interval measured by electrocardiogram was demonstrated. I urged patients to consult with their doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications with grapefruit juice or other fruits and juices. Unless it is known to be a I advised "take most medications only with water."

A BRIEF ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Sexually Transmitted Diseases(also called STDs or STIs -- sexually transmitted infections) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. Adolescents and young adults (15-24) are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring an STD, 3 million becoming infected each year. Most STDs are treatable. However, even the once easily cured gonorrhea has become resistant to many of the older traditional antibiotics. Other STDs, such as herpes, AIDS, and genital warts, all of which are caused by viruses, have no cure. Some of these infections are very uncomfortable, while others can be deadly. Syphilis, AIDS, genital warts, herpes, hepatitis, and even gonorrhea have all been known to cause death. Many STDs can lead to related conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and complications in pregnancy. Therefore, education about these diseases and prevention is important. It is important to recognize that sexual contact includes more than just intercourse. Sexual contact includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual "toys," such as vibrators. There really is no such thing as "safe" sex. The only truly safe sex is abstinence. Sex in the context of a monogamous relationship where neither party is infected with a STD is also considered "safe". Most people think that kissing is a safe activity. Unfortunately, syphilis, herpes, and other diseases can be contracted through this apparently harmless act. All other forms of sexual contact also carry some risk. Condoms are commonly thought to protect against STDs. Condoms are useful in helping to prevent certain diseases, such as HIV and gonorrhea. However, they are less effective protecting against herpes, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia. Condoms provide little protection against HPV, the cause of genital warts. If you think you may have an STD or a related condition, see a doctor right away. Common STDs A partial listing of sexually transmitted diseases: Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a very dangerous STD as it usually has no symptoms; 75% of infected women and 25% of infected men have no symptoms at all. Gonorrhea - Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported STD. 40% of it's victims contract PID if not treated, and it can cause sterility. Hepatitis B - A vaccine exists, but there's no cure; can cause cancer of the liver. Herpes - Painful and episodic; can be treated but there's no cure. HIV/AIDS - First recognized in 1984, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among young men and women. The virus is fatal involving a long, painful death. Human Papalloma Virus (HPV) & Genital Warts - The most common STD, 33% of all women have this virus, which can cause cervical or penile cancer and genital pain. Syphilis - Untreated, can lead to serious damage of the brain or heart. Trichomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all. Can cause premature birth in pregnant women. Less Common STDs Other reproductive tract infections not discussed here: Bacterial Vaginosis - Causes pain during urination, and untreated can result in kidney failure. Chancroid - A large, painful blister or ulcer which appears in genital area; may rupture. Granuloma Inguinale - Causes painless ulcers which enlarge and easily bleed. Lymphogranuloma Venereum - Rare in the United States; causes lesions, aching and abscesses in the groin. Molluscum Contagiosum - This virus causes smooth, shiny lesions, which must be individually removed by a doctor. Mucopurulent Cervicitis (MPC) - Causes discharge from the cervix, can result in PID or miscarriage in pregnant women. Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU) - Afflicts men and causes urinary problems, can be caused by chlamydia. Related Conditions Other reproductive tract infections: Candidiasis - Candidiasis, or yeast infection, is not a true STD but can be contracted sexually, causing burning, itching and discomfort. It is treatable with over-the-counter medication, although it is commonly recurrent. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Can be caused by a number of bacteria, transmitted sexually or through other means. Can result in pain, infertility, and even death.

5 Facts You MUST UNDERSTAND TO LOOSE FAT BELLY

1. Many so-called "health foods" are actually cleverly disguised junk foods that actually stimulate you to gain more belly fat... yet the diet food marketing industry continues to lie to you so they can maximize their profits. 2. Ab exercises like crunches, sit-ups, and ab machines are the LEAST effective method of getting flat six pack abs. We'll explore what types of exercises REALLY work in a minute. 3. Boring repetitive cardio exercise routines are NOT the best way to lose body fat and uncover those six pack abs. I'll show you the exact types of unique workouts that produce 10x better results below. 4. You DON'T need to waste your money on expensive "extreme fat burner" pills (that don't work) or other bogus supplements. A special class of natural foods is much more effective. I'll tell you about these natural foods and their powers below. 5. Ab belts, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, and other infomercial ab-gimmicks... they're all a complete waste of your time and money. Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using that "ab contraption"... they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition strategies. Again, you'll learn some of their secrets and what really works below.

HOW ENZYMES SUPPLEMENT TURN LIFE AROUND

ENZYMES may not share the superstar status of certain vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and other miracle nutrients, yet a growing number of studies suggest that enzymes very much deserve a standing ovation when it comes to improving overall health and the successful treatment of numerous diseases.Enzymes perform an all-encompassing function in the development and maintenance of the human body, Dr. Edward Howell, father of enzyme nutrition and therapy, stated that enzymes were the very substances that made life possible. Proponents and advocates of enzyme therapy regard enzyme bankruptcy as a lethal health catastrophe, causing countless bodies to shut down prematurely.Bodies of research have identified more than 3,000 types of enzymes in the human body. As organic catalysts, enzymes are known to initiate, speed up, slow down, alter or halt about 4,000 kinds of biochemical reactions. Millions of biochemical reactions take place in the body on a daily basis, including respiration, food digestion, assimilation and transportation of nutrients, detoxification of certain organs, blood purification, movement of muscles, production and regulation of hormones and cell renewal and repair, to name a few. "The enzymes make all these processes possible, and they are destroyed once they complete their respective tasks," Dr. Albert Egbuehi, an associate professor of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos said.Essentially there are three types of enzymes: digestive, metabolic and food enzymes. Digestive enzymes are produced by the digestive organs that aid in breaking down food into more assimilable forms. The four general classes of digestive enzymes are amylase, which digests carbohydrate, starch and sugar found in grains, fruits and starchy vegetables; protease, which breaks down protein found in meat, nuts, and cheese into amino-acids; lipase, which breaks down fats and oils found in dairy and meat products into fatty acids, and cellulase, which helps digest fibre.Metabolic enzymes on the other hand are said to be manufactured by the body’s own cells to perform highly specific tasks required in regulating the blood, tissues, and organs. They are responsible for the production and growth of new cells, the repair and maintenance of tissues and organs, transportation of blood to the different organs and detoxification of the cells, tissues, organs and blood. Metabolic enzymes also carry out the delivery and absorption of nutrients in various organs.The third kind of enzymes is the food enzymes. These enzymes are the vital life force naturally found in raw, uncooked food. By definition, raw food is food heated below 118oF, the highest temperature in which enzymes can still survive and function. There are a lot of well-documented cases that attest to the wonderful benefits and healing power of raw food. The enzymes present in raw food work synergistically with the other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and co-enzymes, allowing your digestive system to take its much needed rest and giving your immune system the necessary boost to successfully carry out its search and destroy missions.Therapeutic use of enzymes has been studied and used extensively in Europe, Asia and to a lesser extent the United States for at over 40 years.As early as 1912 Scottish physician John Beard discovered that pancreatic cancer patients were not making sufficient pancreatic enzymes, so he gave them fresh sheep pancreas extracts and they got better. In the 1970’s German physician, Dr. Karl Ransbager healed himself of a terminal kidney disease with enzymes he produced and sold to other doctors.In spite of what has been taught in medical schools, research has proven that systemic enzyme supplements are not destroyed by the stomach acid and in fact, have great benefits. Studies also show that there are no toxic levels of enzymes, so they are very safe, even for children and pregnant women. It is also important to note that if we provide the body with enzyme supplements, the body does not decrease its own enzyme production. The only precaution for using systemic enzymes according to experts is for those that are taking blood-thinning medication, as the enzymes naturally cleanse the blood and improve circulation, giving blood-thinning drugs a stronger effect. Proteolytic enzymes such as protease break down protein. Taken with meals, protease enhances the breakdown and assimilation of dietary proteins. When proteolytic enzymes are taken between meals they go about the business of cleaning up the bloodstream and tissues of foreign proteins including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungal strains that cause respiratory illness and Candida. Proteolytic enzymes can digest this protective protein coating and render viruses inert and harmless to the body. Cancer cells also have a protein coating that is vulnerable to proteolytic enzymes.This, according to experts is possible due to the lock and key mechanism that ensures that enzymes target and destroy only substances that are harmful to the body, while leaving healthy cells alone. Proteolytic enzymes are also said to reduce the pain, redness and swelling of inflammation by targeting and eating away at the excess circulating immune complexes (CIC’s), or prostaglandins, that perpetuate the inflammation. Fibrinolytic enzymes are systemic enzymes that eat away the excess fibrin that forms scar tissue, adhesions and growths. Fibrin is essential for wound healing in that it lays down the framework for the new tissue to grow, much like a steel frame provides structure for a building. "In our youth injuries heal very quickly often without a trace of a scar due to healthy levels of fibrin-eating enzymes. As we get older, fibrinolytic enzymes decrease and wounds leave bigger scars. Uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, and the hardening, shrinking, and decreased function of aging organs are a result of an accumulation of fibrin in the body due to a depletion of fibrinolytic enzymes." Egbuehi said.Excess fibrin is also said to be responsible for the spider web of scar tissue across the inside of blood vessels that forms the matrix upon which arterial plaque is laid down. Excess fibrin can also form in the kidneys contributing to high blood pressure and in the brain causing poor brain function and senility. The pain and suffering of fibromyalgia is said to have been caused by an overgrowth of fibrin in the muscles, known as fibrosis.Dr. William Wong, himself a former fibromyalgia patient and advocate of enzyme therapy, describes fibromyalgia as a condition that develops as a result of stress, estrogen dominance (due to environmental toxins) and fibrosis, which produces a tremendous amount of scar tissue in the muscles. "These knots of fibrosis in the muscles plug up the microcirculation that feeds the tissue resulting in pain. Fibrinolytic enzymes dissolve the excess fibrin in the muscles providing increased flexibility and blessed relief of pain," he said.The strongest fibrinolytic enzyme known is serrapeptase, which is what silkworms secrete to dissolve the silk that they produce. This is significant, since even a bullet cannot penetrate silk. For 30 years Dr. Hans Neiper used serrapeptase on cardiac patients to open up the blood vessels. Known as "poor man’s chelation", Neiper claimed that in two years this therapy could completely open the vascular system. Now serrapeptase is formulated from a plant source and has been remarkably successful when used in combination with other enzymes in treating fibromyalgia and dissolving arterial plaque, postoperative scars and keloids. Even old scars and adhesions respond to enzyme therapy.Indeed various experiments conducted on enzymes demonstrate their versatility and efficacy. Combined with a proper diet and other nutritional supplements, enzymes can perform tasks that are nothing short of miraculous. The use of enzymes among athletes suffering from injury and patients who underwent surgery accelerated the recovery and healing of both groups. In one study, a marked improvement was noted among arthritic patients consuming raw food. In another study, a control group of hypertensive and obese outpatients experienced a significant improvement in their conditions on a raw vegan diet. Enzymes have also been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients.

PATHOGENIC MOUTH GERMS CAN CAUSE HEARTH ATTACK

the idea that oral bacteria can caise hearth disease has always come as a surprise to many. Speaking with Daily Sun, Consultant Surgeon, De Emmanuel Enabulele said that physicians, healthcare, professionals and government health agencies have been preaching for years that elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat will sure lead to an increased wish of heart attacks and eventually heart disease but no one said anything about germs.According to him, germs in the mouth enter the bllod stream through cuts in the gum and this can trigger heart attack and heart disease. He further explained that pathogenic mouth germs gain access directly to the bloodstream through tiny cuts made in the mouth when brushing.He advised that people observe good oral hygiene and seek expert advice about the type of toothbrushes they use and how to care for them.A process known as atheroscerosis is the overwhelming cause of heart disease. During this process, the inner lining of the artery walls becomes furred with a thick plaque made up of fatty deposits of cholesterol, cell waste, and other pathogenic substances. As this occurs, the arteries becomes narrowed and obstructed. The blood and oxygen supplied to the heart becomes restricted. So the heart cannot get the oxygen that it desperately needs. This causes some people to experience angina (chest pain). Atherosclerosis also leads to the occurrence of a heart attack, where the blood supply to the heart muscle is interrupted or temporarily stopped because of a blood clot in the coronary artery.So, the cause of heart disease is the process known as atherosclerosis, but what causes the buildup of plaque in the arteries? What is it that triggers this process? What causes a piece of plaque to break off and float down the bloodstream?The old adage "you are what you eat" certainly holds true when it comes to the instigation of heart disease. Any doctor will tell you that a diet high in saturated fats – fast foods, French fries, red meats, cookies, and processed foods – is likely to result in the accumulation of fatty plaque within the artery walls. At the present time, many people are battling a dreadful serious obesity problem, which is certainly linked to the high occurrence of heart disease. However numerous studies demonstrated that we are facing serious germ problem – a "silent epidemic" of germs, which like obesity, can also be associated with a high occurrence of heart disease.Researchers at Harvard Medical School have shown the atherosclerotic plaque found in the arteries of heart disease patients to contain DNA specific to porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease. The Harvard researchers actually found traces of the pathogenic oral bacteria within the sticky artery-clogging material.Connection between oral and heart diseaseVarious studies that demonstrate the connection between heart disease and the key bacteria responsible for periodontal disease.A recent study by Belgian discovered that the toxic by products of gum infections-natural bacterial poisons called endotoxins – are also released into the bloodstream where they travel to the heart and cause blood vessel injuries that promote clots.Further studies show that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots. When blood clots escape into the bloodstream, they may increase the risk of heart attacks or other cardiovascular events like strokes. More seriously, the bacteria from periodontal disease are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the evidence is clearly out there that shows bacteria is responsible at least in part for the onset of heart disease, but obviously not everyone has caught on.It comes as a surprise that the idea of oral bacteria as a cause of heart disease has not been taken up by many in the medical establishment. Many physicians and scientists laughed at their colleague Dr. Barry Marshall when he announced hiss discovery that H. pylori bacteria are responsible for most stomach ulcers. After all, the appearance of ulcers had long been attributed to things like stress, poor diet, and aspirin overuse, and for years doctors had treated their patients according to this firmly established belief. But as it turns out, everyone was wrong except Dr. Marshall.Physicians, healthcare professionals and even government health agencies have been telling us for years that elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat will sure lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and eventually heart disease. No one said anything about germs. That is until now. The reason that the germ connection has not been taken up into practice is because doctors have been treating patients according to the guidelines established by earlier research and medical knowledge – the out of date knowledge that does not implicate oral bacteria with heart disease. Sadly, it may take decades for the transition to take place. How many people have to suffer or die in the interim?So, how can bacteria cause heart attacks? Researchers believe that chronic infection, such as periodontal disease causes inflammation that often goes unnoticed by patients (internal inflammation is symptom-less is often impossible to detect). Ironically, inflammation is usually a helpful reaction when it sends an army of white blood cells to fight an infection, but a report claims that the inflammatory cells secretes a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP) that actually promotes atherosclerosis. Some of the research has shown that men with high levels of CRP had three times as many attacks as those with the lowest levels, which goes along with the findings of a study that found people with gum disease had three times the risk of heart attack over a 10 year period.Other research proves that acute periodontitisd is a cause of low-level inflammation all over the body. Scientists believe that the chemicals produced by the immune system’s reaction spill over the bloodstream through cuts in the gums. Then the chemicals makes their way to the liver to produce proteins that inflame the arterial walls and clot the blood. Atherosclerosis and. Ultimately, heart attack may result.Numerous studies over the past few decades have established over and over that harmful bacteria can exist, in the blood. Especially bacteria that originates in the mouth. Research has also established that antibodies against oral bacteria can be found in the bloodstream. Without a doubt oral germs enter the bloodstream and instigate a molecular chain reaction that can result in atherosclerosiss and heart disease. But how are the germs getting into the bloodstream?Doctors believe that pathogenic mouth germs gain access directly to the bloodstream through tiny cuts made in the gums when brushing. The toothbrush is made up of hundreds of sharp little needles known as toothbrush bristles that cause microscopic cuts in the gums while brushing. You may not know it, but the bristles actually hair-like and get sharper and more jagged with each use, allowing for a higher frequency of cuts and more opportunity foe germs to enter the bloodstream. The vast majority of the time, you have no idea that you are abraiding the soft tissues of your mouth because you don’t see blood when you rinse.Additionally, a typical unsanitized toothbrush is literally covered with millions of bacteria, viruses, fungi (moulds and yeast, food particles and parasites. Germs can jump from one toothbrush to another toothbrush, toothbrushes have been shown to be contaminated with E.coli bacteria and fecal coliforms because of the germs released when flushing the toilet every time you put trusty toothbrush in your mouth, chances are that you are giving a gang of nasty germs a free ride into your system."Heart diseaseOur doctors and healthcare professionals tell us that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the essential key to lowering the risk of acquiring the disease. Regular exercise, managing stress, and eating foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat are the things we can do to protect ourselves. Meanwhile physicians prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs to help us reduce the plague obstructing our arteries.Unfortunately, many of us don’t heed our doctors good advice until it’s too late. We stick to our under exercised, over-satiated lifestyles, relying on drugs to make us better. Many of the latest drugs used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease simply aren’t working. A study of 3,000 people at high risk of developing heart disease, but who had not yet acquired the disease found that treatment with a statin drug did not significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. What the drugs did do, however, was increase their risk of developing cancer by 25 per cent. The article concludes that the emphasis on prescription drugs as treatment (more like a temporary cure) for heart disease demonstrates that the US may be spending more than $500 billion each year on medical care that may not be helpful and even potentially harmful to health.Clearly, we are fighting a difficult and challenging battle. Heart disease is still killing us, despite the drugs and the efforts to change lifestyle, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So what are we to do to protect ourselves?Heart disease, also known as coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition characterized by the narrowing and clogging of the arteries with a fatty, glue-like substance called atheroma.