Inflammation and pain. Eating
and healthy living. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combos!
Pflugerville Wellness Center sees these daily in our
Pflugerville 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 the beneficial aspects of a Mediterranean
diet for patients with neurodegenerative diseases are just becoming
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 damaged neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative
diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity
are associated with low grade inflammation which can lead
to issues 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 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: 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 an updated USDA food pyramid so
many of us remember from our younger years.)
consists of red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of that!).
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
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 avoidance, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, better
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 incorporates 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 recognized
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 Pflugerville chiropractic patients are often
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 Pflugerville Wellness 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 beneficial outcomes possible with
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Pflugerville chiropractic
appointment today. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Pflugerville chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.