#52 The Relationship between TMD/TMJ, Inflammation, and Sugar

I have previously discussed the common denominator of all the symptoms of TMD/TMJ is inflammation within the TM Joint.  There is a lot we as doctors and scientists know about inflammation yet there are many unanswered questions.   I have stated and firmly believe when we fully understand inflammation we will solve the mysteries of cancer, heart disease, neuromuscular diseases, and especially autoimmune illnesses.

Knowing that inflammation plays the pivotal role in Temporomandibular Joint Disease, I continue to research and study what others have discovered regarding the body’s attempt to heal itself. (Inflammation)

Recently I viewed a highly technical discussion between two scientists, one an Endocrinologist (Doctor who treats diseases associated with hormones) and a Pediatrician who hosts a You Tube Channel. What I learned centered on the relationship between Sugar, specifically Fructose, inflammation, and a plethora of other diseases.  As both physician and dentist I lean more toward studying the human body as an integrated unit rather than considering the mouth as the limit of my academic activities.

Fructose is the sugar extracted from fruits and vegetables with the most common being high fructose corn syrup.  Hi fructose corn syrup is used to sweeten just about all processed foods and seen in very high concentrations in soft drinks, candy, breakfast cereal, cakes, bread, yogurts, ice cream, and just about any and all things we call snacks and fast food. Sugar and especially high fructose corn syrup has been known to exacerbate inflammation for decades.  How sugar creates disease in now beginning to be understood.

As it turns out, fructose has a major effect on suppressing hormones that are essential for inflammation to create an effective healing process.  This applies to any and all diseases that are associated with inflammation.  And since all diseases are associated with inflammation as an attempt for the body to heal itself, all diseases have the potential of sustaining complications by adding sugar to the diet.

Here is a partial list of diseases known or suspected of being associated with dietary fructose.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin Resistance

Hepatic Disfunction and Cirrhosis

Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Dyslipidemia

Cardiovascular Disease

Colon/Pancreatic/Breast/Prostate Cancer

Increased Triglycerides and Cholesterol

Increased Blood Pressure

Alteration in Brain Activity and Memory

Alzheimer’s Disease

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Multiple Sclerosis

Peripheral Neuropathy

Muscular Dystrophy

Parkinson’s Disease

Various kinds of Autoimmune Diseases

Basically, fructose is a poison.  It poisons the proper functions of the inflammatory response, several essential metabolic processes, and processes necessary for normal operation of the immune system. And sugar is addictive. Try cutting sugar and fructose completely out of your diet and see if you do not experience sugar withdrawal.

So how does fructose relate to TMD/TMJ.  Since TMD/TMJ is nothing more than inflammation within the joint, fructose will limit normal inflammatory response and replace it with longer lasting and damaging inflammatory changes.  It follows then that if the TMJ is already inflamed, it is beneficial to cut out the fructose.  In our Western supermarket diet where high fructose corn syrup is added to just about everything, decreasing intake is easier said than done.

If you suffer from the symptoms of TMD/TMJ, besides using a device which unloads the joints like a set of crutches unloads an inflamed knee, decreasing high fructose corn syrup in your diet will be helpful.

Our team of providers at TMJ Services of Brentwood concentrate our efforts on a single disease.  We know how to diagnose it, and we know how to treat it successfully.  Call for an appointment if you would like our help.