Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combos!
Hollstrom & Associates Inc welcomes these daily in our
Largo 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 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 avert cell death and even
restore 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 issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity impacting nearly
30% of people globally, 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 simple: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: olive
oil, 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 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 advocates
record so many benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, certain 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 deterrence, rheumatoid
arthritis and eye health enhancement, better
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 in addition to
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration incorporates many
different pathological processes that natural products – especially
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 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 Largo 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 allows so
much variety of natural goods!
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
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.
Schedule your Largo chiropractic
appointment today. Eating well isn’t that hard and
is so good for our Largo chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related
issues.