The silent threat: How oral bacteria linked to gum disease fuel cancer and endanger the heart – NaturalNews.com
The silent threat: How oral bacteria linked to gum disease fuel cancer and endanger the heart
Emerging research has uncovered a disturbing connection between common oral bacteria, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease—raising urgent questions about modern dietary habits and oral hygiene practices. A study published in Nature found that Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium prevalent in gum disease, can survive stomach acid, colonize the gut and potentially accelerate tumor growth. Taiwanese microbiology expert Shao-Hung Wang warns that poor oral hygiene, vaping and Western diets—high in processed foods and low in polyphenols—create an ideal environment for these pathogens to thrive. With cardiovascular risks also tied to oral bacteria entering the bloodstream, experts urge a reevaluation of daily hygiene routines and dietary choices.
The gut-oral connection: How bacteria survive and thriveF. nucleatum subspecies Fna C2 has evolved to withstand acidic environments, allowing it to travel from the mouth to the colon intact. Once there, it adheres to cells, triggers inflammation and promotes cancerous growths. On The Epoch Times' "Health 1+1" program, Wang explained that the bacterium can produce adhesion factors that allow it to attach to cells and releases toxic molecules that induce inflammation, promoting tumor development.
The path F. nucleatum takes is alarming yet preventable. Biofilm plaques, which are sticky bacterial colonies that form on teeth, can be swallowed with food or saliva. Undercooked foods may also harbor oral pathogens. Wang notes that eating slowly and chewing thoroughly helps ensure stomach acid neutralizes bacteria, while poor oral hygiene allows biofilms to flourish.
Allowing oral biofilms to flourish enables harmful gram-negative bacteria to thrive, explains BrightU.AI's Enoch engine. This leads to the spread of disease-causing microorganisms throughout the body and contributes to chronic infections like periodontal disease, systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Unchecked bacterial growth also weakens immunity, accelerating overall health decline.
Beyond cancer: Cardiovascular dangersOral bacteria don't stop at the gut. Bleeding gums—whether from aggressive brushing, periodontal disease or mouth injuries—provide a direct route for F. nucleatum to enter the bloodstream. Once there, it contributes to systemic inflammation.
Wang highlighted that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by F. nucleatum in the mouth, enhances porphyrin production, promoting the growth of oral bacteria and increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Butyrate is also a crucial nutrient for some bacteria and can activate pathogenic viruses, thus contributing to more inflammation and the death of gum cells.
Inflammatory substances from oral bacteria can also reach the liver, triggering the release of clotting factors like prothrombin. Wang warns that prothrombin travels through the bloodstream and can cause blood clots upon encountering cholesterol buildup or inflamed blood vessels, thus forming the link between oral bacteria and coronary heart disease. His advice? Manage cholesterol levels and prevent oral microorganisms from entering your bloodstream by practicing proper oral hygiene.
The flawed approach: Antibiotics and mouthwash risksConventional treatments like antibiotics or harsh mouthwashes may do more harm than good. Wang recounted his own experience with taking antibiotics for a stomach ulcer, noting that by the third week, his tongue had developed a thick coating because of fungi like Candida albicans, which were left to flourish after the antibiotics wiped out most of his oral bacteria. Similarly, chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes disrupt the oral microbiome, while fluoride variants harm gut bacteria.
Even more concerning, mouthwash overuse interferes with the production of nitric oxide—a critical molecule for blood pressure regulation. Oral bacteria convert nitrates from vegetables into nitrites, which stomach acid then processes into nitric oxide. Frequent mouthwash use lowers nitric oxide levels, potentially increasing blood pressure and ischemic heart disease risk.
Before the advent of toothbrushes, people rinsed with tea—a practice Wang endorses because of tea's abundance of polyphenols, which can suppress F. nucleatum. Green and black tea extracts, along with catechins, act as natural antimicrobials. Vegetables high in polyphenols can also cleanse the mouth and inhibit F. nucleatum in the gut.
Modern hygiene must balance bacterial control with microbiome preservation. To maintain oral health, Wang recommends:
The intersection of oral health, diet and systemic disease is clearer than ever. F. nucleatum exemplifies how neglect—whether through vaping, poor diets or inadequate hygiene—can have far-reaching consequences. As Wang's research underscores, combating this threat requires more than just toothpaste; it demands a return to mindful eating, natural antimicrobials and a critical eye toward over-sanitization. In an era of escalating chronic disease, the solution may lie not in high-tech medicine, but in the simple, time-tested practices of oral care and whole-food nutrition.
Watch this video to learn which bacteria from the mouth is linked to colon cancer.
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