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

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Eating and healthy living. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combinations! Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries sees these daily in our Manchester chiropractic practice, explains the connections, and urges the exploration of new and different-to-you approaches to improve 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 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 bring back function to injured neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity are associated with low grade inflammation leading to issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity affecting nearly 30% of people globally, any connections that can tackle 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 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 plain: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: olive oil, avocado oil.) Incorporate 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 remember from years ago.) includes red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). 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 multiple benefits: improved brain function, longer life, specific kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease, diabetes security, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, 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 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 important as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely recognized 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 Manchester chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory meds, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array of natural goods!

CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries

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 Manchester chiropractic appointment now. Eating well isn’t that hard and is so good for our Manchester chiropractic friends, especially those carrying a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related issues.

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