Plainville Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet for Issues like Obesity and Neurodegenerative Diseases and others

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Eating and healthy living. Neurodegenerative disease and obesity. These are some combinations! Layden Chiropractic sees these daily in our Plainville 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 symptoms they 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 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 leading to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity impacting almost 30% of people around the world, any connections that can affect 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 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 occasional. 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 years ago.) includes 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 in life!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates list so many benefits: improved brain function, longer life, specific kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes security, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health enhancement, 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 incorporates many different pathological processes that natural products – especially the ones that have bioactive compounds that are able 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 (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Plainville chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this type of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows such an array of natural goods!

CONTACT Layden Chiropractic

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 Plainville chiropractic appointment now. Eating well is not that hard and is so good for our Plainville chiropractic friends, especially those fighting a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related issues.

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