Sorry, I didn’t get that quick question answered regarding “Activator X.” On my site, just pop ‘K2′ into the search function and that will pull up all my posts on it. In those, there are references to other articles. Pay particular attention to Stephan’s posts (Whole Health Source) as well as the substantial article by Chris Masterjohn at the Weston Price Foundation.

Mark

Kudos! We are all in your debt! As the name of your blog implies – I never miss a day! I often suggest interested people check out your site since it covers such a broad range of topics and is so intelligent and accessible.

As far your dental findings are concerned, I am not at all surprised by much of it. I posted in another blog I believe you frequent – Diana Hsieh’s Noodlefood – she was posting on a piece you did on vitamin D! don’t you love the incestuous nature of the web.

In any case I posted a reply which included:

“The plaque is formed by naturally occurring bacteria feasting on … TA DAH … fermentable carbohydrate. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily mechanically removes the stuff and your teeth and gums should remain healthy. Many people do not perform this adequately and problems arise. Plaque and the carbohydrate work to lower the local pH which dissolves the minerals in the teeth producing caries. The plaque also sets up an inflammatory response in the gums and later in the bone that supports the teeth. Daily cleaning is vital and the professional cleaning in a dental office further ensure that the plaque that was missed, that became mineralized by the saliva is removed on a regular basis.

Almost everyone eating a “normal” diet with fermentable carbohydrate will leave behind plaque on a regular basis and problems are very likely.

Another factor is the saliva which serves to neutralize the pH changes. Now this is probably more than most people want to know, but one can see that the essential factor is carbohydrates in our diet. Vitamin D itself is unlikely to have a direct effect on the plaque although it is certainly possible. The greatest benefit is to cut down on the fermentable carbohydrate and particularly the stuff that gets broken down in the mouth – ie sugars, starches etc. Eating a lot of vegetables will add very little or no plaque while the natural cleaning action of the fibrous vegetables could very well help depending on the alignment of your teeth.

You will likely find your teeth remaining cleaner, but you may still chronically miss an area or two so tooth brushing and flossing are still advised – it isn’t going to hurt unless you scrub and particularly if you do so after ingesting acidic foods. This will lower the pH again apart from the plaque and make tooth brush abrasion much greater. But of course acidic foods are often the carbohydrate crap again – cola drinks, orange juice, sour candies etc.”

My own experience has been very interesting – I have a fractured lower second molar (don’t chew ice kids!). The fracture almost certainly extends into the root which means doom for the tooth. My buddy patched and crowned it and we both kept our fingers crossed. The tooth was variably sensitive with some gum involvement – I was resigned that the tooth would soon have to come out – root fractures cannot be repaired. Since my PB diet and lifestyle, the tooth feels much better – virtually asymptomatic for now – I am fully aware that it could blow up at any time, but I am enjoying the reprieve.

Now lest anyone think that this PB can cure anything, I am not saying that, but it can do wonders – you still require professional guidance and help with some things at some times, but the Primal Blueprint does place your own health with you where it belongs.

It is very interesting that you were still finding a significant calculus buildup on your lower front teeth – with minimal carbohydrate consumption alone, you should not get the plaque buildup which leads to the calculus. Hmmm – as an orthodontist I am not the expert on this at all – periodontists or gum specialists would be much more knowledgeable. It is clear however that our modern diets are so messed up that many (most?) findings and studies are based on a diseased model of humanity. We have so much to learn – it is really exciting, but frustrating how stuck we are right now.

I am not really surprised that your gum problems have resolved and even reversed. I believe that the reduction in inflammation is the key to these improvements. As to the calculus dissolving – that is a real poser – again my oral biochemistry and physiology is a very distant memory. It has been apparent to me however, that this improved diet and lifestyle that you and others advocate has so many positive impacts on so many body systems that we are only beginning to scratch the surface.

I am aware of sounding like a bit of a nut when I enthuse about the changes I have experienced in less than a year of this. I cherish a scientific and rational approach to life, yet it is hard not to sound like a missionary! I am proud to be a dentist knowing that Weston Price is one of the pioneers in all this – maybe we dentists are predisposed to this thinking because it is carbs and not fat that causes dental problems

Sorry to go on but this stuff just juices me – most everyone I know rolls their eyes when I get started – my bad – I need a good editor!

One last question if I may – you mentioned the Activator X briefly on your blog – where do get it and what dosage?

Thanks again Richard!

“I am just now looking into a gym and trainer to help me get started into working out. I am in good health and I have the same goals as you – strength and leaning out more. Any advice for the workout newbies? – I really want to get some professional help with form etc.”

This is another area where I think there’s often too much emphasis on what/how to work out than on just…simply…working out. All newbies need to know is ditch conventional cardio and do brief, intense. There’s a lot of resources like here at MDA, De Vany, and Chris Highcock at Conditioning research is fantastic (check out some of those “Mountain Athlete” videos he posts).

I’ve always used a personal trainer, but it’s important to find one who understands brief and intense, and lets you do 30-minute sessions instead of an hour. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A PERSONAL TRAINER IS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST IN YOUR CONTINUED PROGRESS. In other words, a good one will keep you from injuring yourself, so you stay in the game. Some injuries could put you out for months, even longer. In 18 months, I’ve never had anything but very mild strains and pulls — usually from ignoring my trainer’s advice (15 years experience, bachelor’s in exercise physiology). He really, really focusses on protecting my lower back and always watches my form very carefully.

“Another question – did you snore before all this and how about now?”

I began snoring only when I began to get really overweight, and it was exacerbated by alcohol. My wife has told me that snoring is very rare, now. I really have no idea about the quality of sleep issue.

As a dental pro, you might be interested to know that, one, I had to have braces as a teenager (severe crowding — several teeth pulled to make room, no overbite — could run a straw between teeth, thruster — they used the sharp barbs to torture my tongue and retrain it). Then, I had two surgeries for gum disease back around 2000. Had to have cleanings four times per year as some bacterial “pockets” could not be managed without it. Then, when I went off grains and sugar completely, my teeth/gums began feeling better, and I skipped three cleanings in a row. Finally went in and it had been a year. The hygienist and doc determined that not only was my gum problem resolved, but reversed. They had measurements going back 15 years and I was better off that 15 years prior.

That’s not all. I began reading Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Price, and began supplementing with Activator X (K2 Mentetrenone, MK-4) in combo with A and D. Even though my gums had resolved, I would get awful calculus buildup, especially inner lower front teeth. Within a few days of a cleaning, I could no longer suck air/liquid through my bottom front teeth. Once I began taking the K2, it was 2-3 days and the calculus began dissolving. I had a cleaning 3 weeks ago, and my teeth have remained very smooth. No buildup at all. I don’t even brush after every meal, sometimes not even every day.

Weston Price also observed in his travels that these indigenous people with no tooth decay also didn’t have dental crowding, and child berthing was easier than in the west. The speculation is these fat soluble vitamins are very important early on for proper bone development, such as the width of the dental bridge and the birth canal.

I mentioned some of this to my dentist and hygienist, and emailed some info. In spite of their astonishment at my dental / periodontal transformation, they seem not so interested.

Do you have any take on this?