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

Name: Johnson Chiropractic
Address: USA

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative disease and obesity. These are some combos! Johnson Chiropractic welcomes these every day in our Richmond chiropractic practice, describes 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 symptoms they share like inflammation (which also impacts back pain sufferers). Such a diet of natural products delivering antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could avert 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 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 globally, any connections that can tackle 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 twice weekly with dairy, eggs, and poultry occasional. 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 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 record so many 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, 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 involves 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 vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely known 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 Richmond chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, so our back pain patients may also feel some relief from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows such an array of natural goods!

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

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

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