A small clinical trial found that short periods of calorie restriction lowered inflammation markers tied to gum disease. Researchers at King's College London led the study involving patients in Spain. The results suggest dietary changes could complement standard dental treatments.
Twenty-eight patients were split into two groups. One followed a five-day low-calorie diet three times over six months, consuming 1,100 calories daily for the first two days and 750 for the next three. The other group ate normally.
After six months, the fasting group showed lower levels of inflammation-related markers in blood and gum tissue samples. They also had reduced C-reactive protein, a general inflammation indicator.
Dr. Giuseppe Mainas, the study's first author, said lifestyle modifications could be important alongside proper tooth brushing. Senior author Prof Luigi Nibali noted that fasting may cut oxidative stress and affect the body's microbiome.
The trial, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, was the first to link fasting-mimicking diets directly to gum disease markers. Researchers plan larger studies to explore its use in treatment.
