Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combinations!
Amelia Chiropractic Clinic sees these daily in our
Fernandina Beach chiropractic practice, explains the
connections, and urges the exploration of new and
different-to-you ways to improve 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 affects back pain sufferers). Such a
diet of natural products providing 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 linked to low grade inflammation which can lead
to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity affecting nearly
30% of people around the world, any connections that can address
inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are hopeful.
(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: olive
oil, avocado oil.) Add in 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 an updated 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 that make life happy!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates
list multiple benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, better
breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies, and more!
(3) Most everyone may benefit from the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases experience
a loss of neuronal structure and function in addition to
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration has 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 important as
neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely known
than others: quercetin (green tea, tomato, capers,
black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (grapes,
nuts, fruits), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin
(grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Fernandina Beach chiropractic patients are manytimes
prescribed anti-inflammatory meds, 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 Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
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 beneficial outcomes possible with
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Fernandina Beach chiropractic
appointment now. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Fernandina Beach chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.