A breath of fresh air
Now that low-carb dieting has become mainstream, there’s one side effect you should know about. It’s not a serious health-threatening one, but it can be a nuisance. Low-carb diets can lead to bad breath. The body burns stored fat as fuel, rather than carbohydrates. As the fat burns, it releases ketones through the urine and breath — and ketones are particularly smelly.
But forewarned is forearmed. Here’s what you can do to make sure you don’t have to worry about your breath:
Brush and floss regularly. Ninety percent of bad breath comes from bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue. Keeping up with dental hygiene goes a very long way in staving off bad breath.
Drink plenty of water. Dry mouth is another primary cause of bad breath. Saliva is nature’s mouthwash, since it contains chemical compounds that naturally kill oral bacteria. Taking steps to keep your mouth moist and producing enough saliva will keep you both healthier and sweeter-smelling.
Stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. Smoking and alcohol are culprits for bad breath, and there’s not much you can do to offset their impact except quit — or at least cut back. If you don’t want to eliminate alcohol entirely, be careful when you purchase mouthwash or breath mints: Many mouthwashes contain alcohol and just exacerbate the problem. Mints that contain sugar also provide a very temporary fix, but the sugar isn’t good for you to begin with.
Eat lots of fresh vegetables. Chew on parsley, crunchy carrots, apples and pears throughout the day as snacks in place of sweetened or soft, mushy snacks. They are not only healthier for your insides, but they’ll make your mouth fresher too.
Bad breath isn’t fun, but the good news is that the odds are in your favor: 90 percent of all bad breath originates in the mouth and can be easily managed by taking the above precautions.
Put your prostate to the test
Q: I recently went to the doctor for a check-up and got the usual rectal exam and PSA test for prostate cancer, but I remember you mentioned another test that I could do at home that might be more effective than these — I just can’t remember the name of it.
JVW: Although testosterone has been the suspected culprit behind prostate cancer for many years, it seems clear now that estrogen is actually the problem. So many of the same breast cancer prevention strategies will work to guard against prostate cancer as well. In fact, the same 2/16 ratio test that I always recommend women use to determine their risk of breast cancer can also be used to help predict prostate cancer risk. The 2/16 ratio test measures your ratio of “good” 2-hydroxyestrogen to “bad” 16a-hydroxy-estrogen. It’s available through Meridian Valley Laboratory (425-271-8689).
If your results indicate increased risk, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce it. Eating Brassica vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts is a good start. Also, taking a supplement of a natural substance called di-indolylmethane (DIM), which is found in Brassica vegetables, along with the nutrients selenium and lycopene will further reduce prostate cancer risk.
What is chlorophyll?
You might remember learning about chlorophyll in science class — it’s the chemical that gives plants their green color when stimulated by the sun. It also has numerous health benefits and is a primary reason why eating your greens is so important. It’s also a powerful breath freshener, which explains why parsley is one of the top natural breath fresheners.
Chlorophyll is also found in “green” drinks containing spirulina, wheat grass, chlorella, or other herbs. These chlorophyll-rich liquids can be swished around the mouth then swallowed for a boost to your breath, as well as your overall health.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
Sources:
John Henkel, “Prostate Cancer: No one Answer for Testing and Treatment.” FDA Consumer 1998; 32(5): 22
