Sitka 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! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka sees these every day in our Sitka chiropractic practice, explains the connections, and urges the exploration of new and different-to-you ways 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 becoming clearer…as are symptoms both conditions 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 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 issues 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 hopeful. (2) We can all appreciate 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 trouble-free: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood a couple times a week 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 remember from our younger years.) includes red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also incorporates eating with friends, dancing, exercising, being physically active! (3)  These are the fun activies that make life happy!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates record multiple benefits: enhanced brain function, longer life, specific types 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 improvement, improved 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 as well as progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration incorporates many different pathological processes that natural products – particularly the ones that contain bioactive compounds that are able to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better known than others: quercetin (green tea, tomato, capers, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (grapes, nuts, fruits), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Sitka chiropractic patients are often prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers so much variety of natural goods!

CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka

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 benefits of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

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