Coconut oil zaps bacteria that causes tooth decay

Coconut oil zaps bacteria that causes tooth decay


(NaturalNews) After decades of warning the public to stay away from supposedly artery-clogging coconut oil, mainstream science has recently
produced studies showing that not only does coconut oil appear to be
heart friendly, it also has a host of other health benefits. The latest
research now reveals consuming coconut oil could save your teeth.

The
reason? It turns out the oil is able to fight the bacteria that cause
tooth decay, according to scientists who recently presented their work
at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick
in the UK. What's more, coconut oil appears to have a broad impact
against many pathogens - making it an important, natural weapon in
fighting infections which have grown increasingly resistant to
antibiotics.

The researchers from the Athlone Institute of Technology
in Ireland tested the antibacterial action of coconut oil by treating
it with enzymes in a process similar to digestion to see how the oil
would react once consumed. They found that coconut oil, once ingested,
should be able to halt the growth of most strains of Streptococcus
bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. This type of bacteria is a
primary cause of cavities because it produces tooth-damaging acid.

In
addition, the research team discovered the enzyme-modified coconut oil
was also active against the yeast Candida albicans that can cause thrush
and other health problems. Now the scientists are working to find out
how coconut oil
interacts with Streptococcus bacteria at the molecular level and which
other kinds of harmful bacteria and yeasts it might be able to zap.

"Dental
caries is a commonly overlooked health problem affecting 60-90 percent
of children and the majority of adults in industrialized countries," Dr.
Damien Brady, who is leading the research, said in a press statement.
"Incorporating enzyme-modified coconut oil
into dental hygiene products would be an attractive alternative to
chemical additives, particularly as it works at relatively low
concentrations. Also, with increasing antibiotic resistance, it is
important that we turn our attention to new ways to combat microbial
infection."


Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/037089_coconut_oil_bacteria_tooth_decay.html