Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combinations!
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic sees these every day in our
McHenry chiropractic practice, explains the
connections, and urges the exploration of new and
different-to-you approaches 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 getting
clearer…as are symptoms both conditions 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 avert 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 affecting almost
30% of people around the world, 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 granted 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: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood a
couple times 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 remember from our younger years.)
consists of red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also incorporates dining with friends, dancing,
exercising, being physically active!
(3) These are the fun
activies that make life happy!
PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Mediterranean diet researchers and supporters
list so many benefits: enhanced
brain function, longer life, certain types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s avoidance, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health improvement, 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 as well as
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration incorporates many
different pathological processes that natural products – particularly
the ones that contain bioactive compounds that have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as
neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better 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 McHenry chiropractic patients are often
prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, so our back pain patients
may also feel some relief from this type of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array of natural goods!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois 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 McHenry chiropractic
appointment now. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our McHenry chiropractic friends, especially those fighting
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.