“Nutrition and Physical Degeneration” by Weston A. Price is, in my view, possibly the most influential nutrition book ever. You might not have heard of it, and that’s a pity.
In fact, you’re not alone in not having read it. If it had gained more traction after its release in 1939, our understanding of nutrition science could have taken a very different path. Perhaps we wouldn’t have spent the past 80 years grappling with an increase in chronic diseases and health issues, but instead could have been enjoying a new golden age of well-being.
Bad bacteria from the mouth can travel to the brain, influencing dementia progression.
Honestly, there’s no major campaign needed to “make America healthy again,” because, by all appearances, everyone seems to be thriving.
Price’s findings were straightforward. Modern diets, particularly those loaded with processed foods, are adversely affecting our bodies. It sounds alarming—because it is.
What does a good appearance entail?
Price, a dentist in Cleveland at the turn of the 20th century, began noticing troubling health trends among his patients, especially kids. He saw more cavities, but there was more to it; their jaw structures were poorly developed, leading to issues like narrow mouths and collapsed facial structures.
This decline in physical appearance had a negative impact on behavior and mental well-being. Many children appeared to struggle with focus and learning.
Price deduced that these changes were linked to their diets. Driven by curiosity and professional duty, he set out to find a control group. Along with his wife, he traveled globally—from the Arctic to Australia, through the Scottish Highlands and the Swiss Alps—to observe communities untouched by modern industry.
What he found was striking: wherever people consumed a diet consistent with that of their ancestors—nutritious animal foods, organ meats, fats, dairy, shellfish—they thrived. In contrast, those adhering to traditional diets exhibited what Price termed “perfect health,” which was evident in more than just facial features.
Price’s work highlighted a crucial connection that researchers are only beginning to explore: oral health and facial development are strong indicators of overall health. Those with poor oral health often also face bodily health issues. Recent studies indicate that harmful mouth bacteria can indeed reach the brain and impact conditions like dementia.
Related: I once purchased unconventional superfoods in Colorado—here’s what I discovered.
The importance of chewing
Another key aspect Price emphasized was the significance of food texture in facial growth. He noted that our modern diets are often much softer than those of our ancestors, who engaged their mouths in rigorous daily activities.
This resulted in underdeveloped facial muscles, particularly in the jaw. Muscles in any part of the body need to be used to grow—whether it’s biceps or jaw muscles. If you don’t use them, they stagnate. Interestingly, our facial muscles can develop at any age.
Perhaps one simple way to counteract the declining structure of our faces is to chew gum. Besides having a positive stress-relieving effect, chewing gum can actually look pretty cool.
However, the majority of gum available today is made from plastic. Yes, many modern chewing gums contain a polymer base derived from petroleum. This might sound alarming, but recent research revealed that chewing gum could release thousands of plastic particles, with an average of around 30,000 microplastics ingested yearly if one chews 180 sticks.
Additionally, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners have been linked to various health issues—from digestive problems to more severe conditions like brain tumors.
Choosing mastic over plastic
So, here’s a thought: try chewing mastic gum instead, as the ancient Greeks did thousands of years ago.
Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), particularly renowned when sourced from trees on the island of Chios in Greece. You might want to check out a respected brand known as Greco Gum.
Unlike everyday gum, genuine mastic gum offers a fresh, pleasant taste reminiscent of pine and has antibacterial properties. It can be reused multiple times, contributing to both oral health and refreshing breath. I often chew on mastic and can say, it’s quite delightful. Consider giving it a whirl—cultivate a stronger, more appealing face.
