Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combos!
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation sees these every day in our
Carrolltown chiropractic practice, explains 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 the beneficial aspects 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 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 issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity affecting nearly
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 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 trouble-free: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: olive
oil, avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood twice weekly 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 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
things in life!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and supporters
record so many benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, certain types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease,
diabetes security, 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 experience
a loss of neuronal structure and function in addition to
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration involves many
different pathological processes that natural products – particularly
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 widely 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 Carrolltown 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 so
much variety of natural goods!
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
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 benefits of
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Carrolltown chiropractic
appointment soon. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Carrolltown chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.