Did you know that having gum disease (periodontitis) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD)? It’s been found that people with periodontal diseases are twice as likely to get coronary artery disease than those without any gum disease. Almost 92% of people who have CVD also have severe to moderate periodontitis, according to a 2004 study.
Some studies suggest that oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and contribute to a thickening of the arterial walls or clot formation. Any blockage of the arteries can lead to heart attacks.
But a new study found that gum and heart disease …read more

Asians would know what I’m talking about. You drink a few sips of alcohol and suddenly, you feel nauseated and hot, you face turns beet red, and your heart beats faster. Known as the “Asian Glow” or “Asian Flush”, this reaction to alcohol is a risk factor for cancer of the esophagus, one of the deadliest in the world.
The alcohol flushing response is an inherited genetic trait – deficiency in the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2)- common among one third of Japanese, Chinese and Koreans.

Here’s how the enzyme works: In normal individuals, alcohol is broken down into a non-toxic forms …read more