Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! They
are a holiday type of nut. They come in all varieties
of flavors and in all varieties of holiday treats.
(And if they’re not in your family recipe, add
them this year!) Research connects the gut and the brain, so it makes sense that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too.
Researchers now study the effects of calming the gut and
the stomach to calm the brain. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka invites our
Sitka stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find
their calm! The Sitka chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good info like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A new study based on prior
studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota
and the beneficial effect of consuming walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was associated
with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet
and food choices, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males joined, but researchers recorded
that walnut consumption improved these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers concluded that eating
walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s find out how well it works
on holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events affect normal
eating patterns for many of us, making changes in our blood
tests and other issues. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka knows! An analysis of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported
that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and decreased
cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies
are being published about other benefits like improved
cognitive health, reduced inflammation,
glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, etc. (2) Fortunately, walnuts are in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has reported on the
influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive
impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that develop
over a long period of time. Consuming walnuts for a long-time may postpone
or slow their onset owing to walnuts’ protective
role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is an actual study
called the Walnuts and Health Aging study based on prior
research documenting that walnut consumption counteracted
oxidative stress and inflammation, well-known contributors to
cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found
that the trial didn’t seem to affect
healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were at
higher risk of cognitive decline. (4) A delay in cognitive decline is good!
ADD SOME WALNUTS TO YOUR CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH PLAN
Let the researchers continue their research
while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Sitka
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Choose your
favorite! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
maintain your health and happiness this and future holiday season(s)!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration
on the nervous system.
Schedule your Sitka chiropractic
appointment now. Bring us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut recipe!