Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combos!
New Roads Chiropractic Center welcomes these every day in our
New Roads chiropractic practice, describes the
connections, and encourages 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 becoming
clearer…as are indicators both conditions share like
inflammation (which also affects back pain sufferers). Such a
diet of natural products delivering antioxidants, fiber, and
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could avert 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 globally, 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 ranked 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 simple: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood a
couple times a week with dairy, eggs, and poultry on
occasion. Leave the red
meats and sweet goodies for special occasions. The Mediterranean Diet
Pyramid
(Think of it as an updated USDA food pyramid so
many of us might recall from our younger years.)
includes red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also includes dining with friends, dancing,
exercising, being physically active!
(3) These are the enjoyable
activies that make life happy!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and supporters
list multiple benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, improved
breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies, and more!
(3) Most everyone may benefit from the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases share
a loss of neuronal structure and function as well as
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration incorporates many
different pathological processes that natural products – especially
the ones that have bioactive compounds that have the ability 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 New Roads chiropractic patients are manytimes
prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, so our back pain patients
may also benefit from this kind of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows such an array of natural goods!
CONTACT New Roads Chiropractic Center
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.
Make your New Roads chiropractic
appointment now. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our New Roads chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.