Mind & Matter
Whether food, drugs or ideas, what you consume influences who you become. Learn directly from the best scientists & thinkers alive today about how your mind-body reacts to what you feed it.
The weekly M&M podcast features conversations with the most interesting scientists, thinkers, and technology entrepreneurs alive today.
Not medical advice.
At M&M, we are interested in trying to figure out how things work, not affirming our existing beliefs. We prefer consulting primary rather than secondary sources and independent rather than institutional voices. If we encounter uncomfortable truths or the evidence suggests unfashionable ideas may be valid, so be it.
As the host, my aim is to help you better understand how the body & mind work by curating & synthesizing information in a way that yields science-based insights that you can choose to use or disregard in your own life. Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
I am motivated to connect the dots and distill general principles from what I learn, preferring to ask questions and play devil’s advocate to debating or incessantly pushing my own viewpoint.
My beliefs:
- Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.
- All knowledge is provisional and we must work hard to prevent ourselves from becoming attached to our favorite ideas & preferred conclusions.
- Wisdom comes from an iterative, trial-and-error process of learning and unlearning. Letting go of pre-conceived notions can be painful, but pain is information.
Sometimes modern discoveries teach us we must unlearn received wisdom. Other times, modern information overload & historical chauvinism cause us to forget ancient wisdom which stills applies. The framework for learning that I embody is inspired by three Ancient Greek maxims inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi:
- “Γνῶθι σεαυτόν” (Know thyself)
- “Μηδὲν ἄγαν” (Nothing in excess)
- “Ἐγγύα πάρα δ Ἄτα” (Certainty brings insanity)
Mind & Matter
Bacterial Infection, Oral Hygiene, Atherosclerosis & Heart Disease | Pekka Karhunen | 256
The surprising link between oral bacteria and heart disease.
Episode Summary: Dr. Pekka Karhunen explains the connection between oral bacteria, cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, discussing how oxidized LDL cholesterol triggers inflammation in arteries, how bacteria from the mouth can infiltrate arterial plaques to form biofilms, and the implications for heart disease prevention through lifestyle changes like better oral hygiene.
About the guest: Pekka Karhunen, MD, PhD is a medical doctor and forensic pathologist with decades of experience, specializing in cardiovascular diseases. He has created a unique biobank of coronary arteries from over 10,000 autopsies conducted in Finland. His research focuses on the role of bacteria in atherosclerosis, particularly through studying coronary artery plaques.
Discussion Points:
- Cholesterol is essential for life, but oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is seen as a foreign substance by the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation in coronary arteries.
- Macrophages ingest oxidized LDL, turning into dysfunctional foam cells that contribute to plaque buildup, known as atheromas, in arteries.
- Plaque rupture, potentially caused by increased pressure from cholesterol accumulation or hemorrhage within the plaque, can trigger heart attacks.
- Bacteria, especially from the mouth, can enter arterial plaques via bacteremia (e.g., from dental procedures) and form biofilms, evading immune detection.
- Biofilms in plaques, made of extracellular matrix like polysaccharides, protect bacteria and may contribute to plaque instability or calcification over time.
- Poor oral hygiene is linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk, as bacteria from dental infections can enter plaques, suggesting dental care as a preventive measure.
- Karhunen’s research found oral bacteria, like Viridans streptococci, in coronary plaques, with unpublished data also detecting gut and skin bacteria, indicating diverse bacterial involvement.
Related content:
- M&M 247: Cholesterol: Immune Benefits, Heart Health, Statins & Research Malpractice | Uffe Ravnskov
*Not medical advice.
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