Almost half of U.S. adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and the effects can extend far beyond the mouth. Research has linked gum disease to more than 50 systemic conditions, including diabetes, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. So how can we help prevent oral inflammation and harmful bacteria from affecting overall health?

On this episode of On Nutrition, dentist Alex Silvia, D.D.S., explains why gum health matters, which nutrients may help slow disease progression, and whether that tongue scraper is worth adding to your routine.

Is it possible to run out of things to say about nutrition? Not at all! Coming up on On Nutrition: the oral-systemic connection, emotional eating, hypertension, and the food matrix. New episodes every other Tuesday.

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Fatphobia affects more than social interactions; it can interfere with access to proper health care. But where do stigmas against larger bodies originate, and what can be learned from the space between diet culture and body positivity?

On this episode of On Nutrition, “Weight For It” host Ronald Young Jr. examines his experiences in medical settings, the popularity of the “What I Eat in a Day” trend, and how society defines the word “healthy.”

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Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.