As reported in the Journal of Lipid Research, scientists studied whether bacteria found in the mouth and gut can be associated with heart disease.

They looked for the presence of the species Bacteroidetes obtained from surgeries to remove plaque from carotid arteries. These were compared to control artery samples.

Bacteroidetes are microorganisms commonly found in human intestinal flora. They can also be found in oral mucosa when a person has periodontal disease.

The authors found evidence that normal Bacteroidetes of the gut and oral cavity can invade the arterial walls leading to plaque buildup.

There’s no doubt that we are only as healthy as our bacterial flora. Sadly, overuse of antibiotics in both human and in farm-raised animals has caused our bacterial flora to become seriously imbalanced.

As a result, bacteria that would not usually cause medical problems can now wreak havoc on the body.

A long-simmering dental infection can seed the body with harmful bacteria, resulting in valve problems and congestive heart failure, as well as strokes and heart attacks.

In order to maintain healthy bacterial flora, it is important to eat organic food that is free of pesticides, herbicides, and antibiotics.

Sadly, most of our grain products are contaminated with the herbicide glyphosate, which has been shown to negatively alter flora in the human body. It is also important to avoid antibiotics unless you truly need them.

Many healthcare providers overprescribe antibiotics.