Inflammation and pain. Eating
and healthy living. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combos!
Layden Chiropractic sees these every day in our
Plainville chiropractic practice, explains the
connections, and urges the exploration of new and
different-to-you ways to enhance health via nutrition like the
Mediterranean diet to manage obesity and neurodegenerative
disease.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND OBESITY
The the beneficial aspects of a Mediterranean
diet for patients with neurodegenerative diseases are just getting
clearer…as are indicators they share like
inflammation (which also impacts back pain sufferers). Such a
diet of natural products delivering antioxidants, fiber, and
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could prevent cell death and even
bring back function to injured neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative
diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity
are associated with low grade inflammation leading
to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity impacting almost
30% of people around the world, any connections that can address
inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are encouraging.
(2) We can all appreciate 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 trouble-free: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood twice a week with dairy, eggs, and poultry occasional. Skip the red meats and sweet goodies except for special occasions. The Mediterranean Diet
Pyramid
(Think of it as an updated USDA food pyramid so
many of us remember from years ago.)
includes red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also incorporates dining with friends, dancing,
exercising, being physically active!
(3) These are the fun
activies in life!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates
list so many benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, certain kinds of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, improved
breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies, and more!
(3) There is something beneficial for
everyone with the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases experience
a loss of neuronal structure and function as well as
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration involves many
different pathological processes that natural products – particularly
the ones that have bioactive compounds that are
able to cross the blood brain barrier - are important as
neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better known
than others: quercetin (tomato, capers, green tea,
black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin
(grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Plainville chiropractic patients are often
prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients
may also feel some relief from this kind of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array of natural goods!
CONTACT Layden 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
illustrates the beneficial outcomes possible with
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Plainville chiropractic
appointment soon. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Plainville chiropractic friends, especially those fighting
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.