Inflammation and pain. Eating
and healthy living. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combinations!
Most Chiropractic Clinic sees these daily in our
Murfreesboro chiropractic practice, explains the
connections, and encourages the exploration of new and
different-to-you approaches 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 indicators they 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 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 leading
to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity affecting almost
30% of people globally, any connections that can address
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.) Incorporate fish and seafood a
couple times a week 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 a re-organized USDA food pyramid so
many of us remember from years ago.)
consists of red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of that!).
It also incorporates dining 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
record so many benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease,
diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s avoidance, 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 has many
different pathological processes that natural products – especially
the ones that contain bioactive compounds that are
able to cross the blood brain barrier - are important as
neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better 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 Murfreesboro chiropractic patients are often
prescribed anti-inflammatory meds, so our back pain patients
may also feel some relief from this kind of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array of natural goods!
CONTACT Most Chiropractic Clinic
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 benefits of
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Murfreesboro chiropractic
appointment soon. Eating well is not that hard and
is so good for our Murfreesboro chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.