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Elgin 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! Connected Chiropractic sees these daily in our Elgin chiropractic practice, describes 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 benefits of a Mediterranean diet for patients with neurodegenerative diseases are just becoming 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 linked to low grade inflammation which can lead to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity impacting nearly 30% of people around the world, 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 simple: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Incorporate 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 might recall from our younger years.) consists of red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of it!). It also includes 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 supporters list so many benefits: enhanced brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, 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 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 recognized than others: quercetin (tomato, capers, green tea, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Elgin chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows so much variety of natural goods!

CONTACT Connected 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 illustrates the beneficial outcomes possible with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Schedule your Elgin chiropractic appointment now. Eating well is not that hard and is so good for our Elgin chiropractic friends, especially those carrying a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related issues. 

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