Inflammation and pain. Eating
and healthy living. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combinations!
Apple Country Chiropractic welcomes these every day in our
Williamson chiropractic practice, describes the
connections, and urges the exploration of new and
different-to-you approaches to improve health via nutrition like the
Mediterranean diet to control obesity and neurodegenerative
disease.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND OBESITY
The benefits of a Mediterranean
diet for patients with neurodegenerative diseases are just becoming
clearer…as are symptoms both conditions share like
inflammation (which also impacts back pain sufferers). Such a
diet of natural products providing antioxidants, fiber, and
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could prevent cell death and even
restore function to damaged neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative
diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity
are linked to low grade inflammation leading
to issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity affecting almost
30% of people around the world, any connections that can tackle
inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are encouraging.
(2) We can all find prasie for that!
“WHAT CAN I EAT WITH THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET?”
US News & World Report granted the
Mediterranean Diet as the #1 Best Heart-Healthy Diet, Best Diet for Bone
and Joint Health, Best Diet for Diabetes and Best Diet for Healthy Eating in
2024.
Core foods are plain: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: olive
oil, avocado oil.) Incorporate fish and seafood twice a week with dairy, eggs, and poultry on
occasion. Skip the red meats and sweet goodies except for special occasions. The Mediterranean Diet
Pyramid
(Think of it as a re-organized USDA food pyramid so
many of us remember from our younger years.)
consists of red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also includes eating with friends, dancing,
exercising, being physically active!
(3) These are the enjoyable
activies in life!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and supporters
list multiple benefits: enhanced
brain function, longer life, certain types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, better
breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies, and more!
(3) There is something beneficial for
everyone with the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases share
a loss of neuronal structure and function as well as
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration has many
different pathological processes that natural products – especially
the ones that contain bioactive compounds that are
able to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as
neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better known
than others: quercetin (green tea, tomato, capers,
black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin
(grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Williamson chiropractic patients are manytimes
prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients
may also feel some relief from this type of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows so
much variety of natural goods!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox about the role of inflammation in back pain and spine pain
and neck pain on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the benefits of
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Williamson chiropractic friends, especially those fighting
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.