Inflammation and pain. Eating
and healthy living. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combos!
Minster Chiropractic Center sees these every day in our
Minster 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 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 indicators both conditions 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 prevent cell death and even
restore 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 issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity affecting almost
30% of people globally, any connections that can affect
inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are hopeful.
(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 plain: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood twice weekly 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 might recall from years ago.)
consists of red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also incorporates 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 advocates
record so many benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, certain 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 deterrence, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health improvement, 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 in addition to
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 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 Minster chiropractic patients are manytimes
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 Minster 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
illustrates the beneficial outcomes possible with
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Minster chiropractic
appointment today. Eating well is not that hard and
is so good for our Minster chiropractic friends, especially those fighting
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.