The Cause Of Bad Breath On Low Carb Diets

The latest dieting craze has no doubt been the lowoccurring, most cases are caused by one of these
carb high protein diets. Those of you on Atkins,factors:
South Beach etc will no doubt have noticed a number1. Prescription Medications (usually prescribed for high
of changes since you took up the diet. And no I'mblood pressure or depression)
not talking about the remarkable weight loss I am2. Antihistamines
talking about your bad breath. Now it may not have3. Adult Beverages
been noticeable to you but I suggest you ask your4. Mouthwashes with alcohol in them
friends or relatives whether there has been aWhen your mouth is dryer, you have less Saliva.
detioration and you may be surprised by the answer.Saliva naturally contains Oxygen, which keeps your
In fact you may even find your friends moving awaymouth healthy and fresh. These bacteria are
from you when you speak which is always a sureanaerobic, which simply means that they will thrive
sign of bad breath.and make more sulfur in the presence of little or no
So what's the cause of all this bad air? Welloxygen. Thus if you have less Saliva, you have less
depending on which medical speak you speak withoxygen, thereby creating an anaerobic environment,
there are a number, yet similar, reasons for theperfect for the bacteria to produce more of these
problem. One of the reasons is directly related to theodorous and sour/bitter compounds.
increase in protein which most of the low carb dietsBecause of the increase in higher protein foods, on
advocate.an Atkins type diet, especially dairy products, the
Basically, we all have a large number of usefulamount of Volatile Sulfur Compounds increases
bacteria living mainly on our tongue and at the backdramatically and as such your breath gets worse
of our throat. These bacteria are supposed to beaccordingly. The only way to fight the problem is to
there, because they assist humans in digestion bytry and supply oxygen to the bacteria causing the
breaking down proteins found in specific foods,problem and remove as much of the VSCs' as
mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased orpossible. This can be done in a number of ways:
"broken-down" oral tissue.· Drink loads of water. This will help ensure your
When these "beneficial" bacteria come into contacttongue and throat are kept moist and supplying
with these compounds, the odorous andoxygen to the VSC producing bacteria.
"lousy-tasting" volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs') are· Always clean your tongue with a tongue
released from the back of the tongue and throat, ascleaner before brushing your teeth last thing at night
Hydrogen Sulphide, Methyl Mercaptan, and otherand first thing in morning. You should also try and do
odorous and bad tasting compounds.this after every meal too.
Since the bacteria are meant to be in our mouth· Use a mouthwash which does not contain any
there is no way we can remove them permanently.alcohol as alcohol can dry your mouth and make the
So, no amount of brushing or tongue scraping will getproblem worse. You can also dramatically improve
rid of the VSCs'. The only scientifically proven way ofmatters by using an oxygenating mouthwash. You
curing your bad breath (Halitosis) is by attacking thecan find one by doing a Google on "oxygenating
bacteria's ability to produce VSCs' and by convertingmouthwash".
the VSC into non-odorous and non-tasting organic· Don't chew gum, which contains sugar, to try
salts.and mask the bad breath. This can make matters
There are a number of ways in which the problem isworse. Use a sugar free gum instead.
worsened and the most common way is with dryThe bottom line is that low carb diets will cause bad
mouth. This generally occurs while you are asleep andbreath, although for some it will be a lot worse than
hence the reason you sometimes wake up withothers. However, help is at hand so if you want to
"morning breath".shed the weight and not shed any friends then make
Although some cases of dry mouth are naturallysure and heed the advice given above.