Concord, NC Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet for Issues like Obesity and Neurodegenerative Diseases and others

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combos! Pure Chiropractic sees these every day in our Concord, NC 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 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 symptoms both conditions 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 avert 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 impacting almost 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 trouble-free: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: olive oil, 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 an updated USDA food pyramid so many of us might recall from years ago.) includes red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also includes 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 supporters list multiple benefits: improved brain function, longer life, specific kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, 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 share a loss of neuronal structure and function in addition to progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration has 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 important as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely recognized than others: quercetin (tomato, capers, green tea, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (grapes, nuts, fruits), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Concord, NC chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, 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 Pure 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 benefits of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

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

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