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Dietary carbohydrates and dental-systemic diseases
1Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, Box 357475, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7475, USA. hujoel@u.washington.edu
Journal of Dental Research
|July 10, 2009
Summary
Emerging research suggests that high fermentable carbohydrate diets may cause both dental and systemic diseases, challenging the lipid hypothesis. Restricting carbohydrates could prevent both conditions, aligning with the Cleave-Yudkin hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Oral Health
- Systemic Health
Background:
- Two competing hypotheses exist regarding dietary carbohydrates' role in health and disease.
- The Cleave-Yudkin hypothesis links excessive fermentable carbohydrates to both dental and systemic diseases.
- The Keys lipid hypothesis attributes systemic diseases to lipid intake, viewing dental issues as local effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of the Cleave-Yudkin and Keys hypotheses.
- To determine the impact of dietary hypotheses on dental-systemic disease associations.
- To inform preventive strategies for dental and systemic diseases based on emerging evidence.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trials testing opposing dietary hypotheses.
- Analysis of the relationship between dietary intake (carbohydrates vs. lipids) and disease outcomes.
- Comparison of the predictive power of each hypothesis for dental and systemic health.
Main Results:
- Emerging clinical trial data increasingly support the Cleave-Yudkin hypothesis.
- Evidence suggests a common dietary cause (excess fermentable carbohydrates) for dental and systemic diseases.
- The traditional focus on dental interventions like fluoride may be insufficient if carbohydrates are the root cause.
Conclusions:
- The Cleave-Yudkin hypothesis, positing carbohydrates as a cause of dental and systemic diseases, is gaining empirical support.
- Findings may necessitate a paradigm shift in dietary recommendations for preventing both oral and general health conditions.
- Future preventive strategies may need to prioritize carbohydrate restriction over solely focusing on dental interventions.
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