Be The Healthy U!
  • Healthy Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • I Can Help
  • 28-Day Program
  • Healthy Dog Blog
  • About Terri
  • Resources
  • Ask Dr. Terri
  • Testimonials

Can Your Breath Stop a Clock?

9/5/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a chronic condition that affects 50-60% of those in Western countries. According to John McDougall, MD, bad breath is usually due to microbial putrefaction, a process in which bacteria decompose proteins in the mouth and the large intestine, and generate foul-smelling gaseous sulfur compounds that contain dihydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, both of which are offensive in very low concentrations. 

Here are seven reasons you might have bad breath:
  1. Animal-based protein. The primary source of the proteins that decompose in your mouth and large intestine is animal-based foods. Methionine and cysteine are the only two amino acids that contain sulfur (out of the 20 amino acids that make up all proteins in plants and animals). Proteins that contain the most methionine and cysteine are found in red meats, poultry, cheeses, and all other animal-based foods.
  2. Low-carbohydrate diets. By limiting the amount of fuel your body can burn from carbohydrates, low-carb diets force your body to burn fat instead, causing your body to go into ketosis. Ketones, compounds produced by ketosis, smell bad.
  3. Pungent foods. Garlic and onions have smelly sulfur compounds that linger in your mouth. The sulfur compounds get absorbed in your bloodstream and are expelled when you exhale.
  4. Coffee and alcohol. These create a favorable environment for bacterial growth in your mouth. They also dry your mouth which reduces the amount of saliva flow that can flush out foul-smelling bacteria or dead cells on your tongue.
  5. Oral problems. Dental abscesses, gum disease, and poor oral hygiene account for 80-90% of chronically bad breath. Food particles that have been left long enough between teeth get broken down by bacteria, releasing smelly sulfur compounds.
  6. Medications. Many medications dry out your mouth, leaving you with no saliva to flush the smelly bacteria or dead cells from your gums and tongue.
  7. Illness or disease. Sinus infection, sore throat, infected lungs, kidney or liver failure, uncontrolled diabetes, bowel obstruction, and a metabolic condition called fish-odor syndrome can all cause halitosis.
Consuming a diet that’s rich in whole, plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while at the same time minimizing your consumption of animal proteins will help you drastically reduce your sulfur intake and improve your breath. Furthermore, foods that are rich in vitamin C such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet bell peppers create an inhospitable environment for mouth bacteria. And finally, raw crunchy produce mechanically loosens trapped food particles so that they don’t get left behind to get broken down by bacteria.

Resources:
David L. Katz, MD, http://www.oprah.com/health/Halitosis-What-to-Eat-to-Battle-Bad-Breath

Denise Mann, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/low-carb-diets-can-cause-bad-breath

John McDougall, MD, The McDougall Newsletter, http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall0201P2.htm

Elizabeth M Ward, MS, RD, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/bad-breath-good-and-bad-foods

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Terri Quenzer, PhD

    Terri has a passion for good health and for helping others find happiness in themselves through better health! Through her scientific and life experiences, her goal is to help you reach your healthy goals!

    ​Be The Healthy U!: nominated for San Diego's Best Nutrition/Cooking Classes of 2016!

    Picture
    Catch Terri's interview about plant-based nutrition on KCQB 1170 AM - click here.

    How Not to Die: Terri interviews New York Times Bestselling Author Michael Greger, MD. Listen below.
    Terri speaks with Jordan Hoffman of Jordan Hoffman Acupuncture about what to eat and East vs West.
    Picture

    Click Here To Sign Up For Your Free Newsletter

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All