Can Oil Pulling Protect Your Brain?

I am reading a book on a subject that is near and dear to my heart. It is called “ The End of Alzheimer’s” – the first program to prevent and reverse cognitive decline.

My grandmother died with this disease, my mother died with this disease and I carry the gene. I will do anything within my power to prevent going down that dark, ugly path.

It seems at long last that some scientists are beginning to get some understanding of this disease. It requires a multi-pronged approach. Diet of course plays a pivotal role but other factors have to be addressed as well.

One key component is your oral health.

There are actually thousands of different types of bacteria in the mouth- some are friendly; others are not. Good oral health is critical. Bacteria from your mouth can pass through the blood brain barrier and affect your brain.

 There is one simple and inexpensive thing you can do that can make a big difference in your oral health- oil pulling.

The bacteria in the mouth create a “biofilm” on the teeth – a thin layer that they use to adhere to the surface. This is what we know as “plaque.” Having some plaque on your teeth is normal, but if it gets out of hand it can cause all sorts of problems, including bad breath, yellow teeth, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities.

The way oil pulling works is simple. When you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria “get stuck” in it and dissolve in the liquid oil.

Oil pulling should work with pretty much any oil you choose, but I prefer coconut oil because it has many health benefits. The lauric acid (one of the fatty acids in coconut oil) is proven to be antimicrobial… it can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi

The taste of coconut oil is also fairly pleasant compared to other oils.

Oil pulling is incredibly simple and effective.

Here’s how to do it:

If you use coconut oil you may have to chew on the oil for a minute or so to let it melt, because it is solid at room temperature.

It is best to do this on an empty stomach, before you brush your teeth. I prefer to do it while I take a shower in the morning.

I put the oil in my mouth, swish it around while in the shower and try to “push” and “pull” the oil between my teeth.

When I get out of the shower I spit out the oil into the trash or toilet (not the sink… it can clog), rinse my mouth with water and then brush my teeth.

There is no need to use a lot of force here, if oil pulling causes pain in your facial muscles then just relax a bit. Try using less oil next time and don’t swish it around too forcefully.

Oil pulling IS effective at reducing the harmful bacteria in your mouth and improving oral and dental health. Given that inflammation can cause all sorts of health problems, it does make sense that reducing inflammation in the gums and mouth could lead to benefits for overall health as well.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.