Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combos!
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC sees these daily in our
La Grande chiropractic practice, explains the
connections, and encourages the exploration of new and
different-to-you ways to improve health via nutrition like the
Mediterranean diet to control 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 indicators 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 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 associated with low grade inflammation which can lead
to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and
cognitive decline. With obesity impacting almost
30% of people around the world, 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 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 simple: fruits, veggies, whole
grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Incorporate fish and seafood a
couple times a week with dairy, eggs, and poultry occasional. Leave the red
meats and sweet goodies for special occasions. The Mediterranean Diet
Pyramid
(Think of it as an updated USDA food pyramid so
many of us remember from years ago.)
includes red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of it!).
It also includes eating with friends, dancing,
exercising, being physically active!
(3) These are the fun
things that make life happy!
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 improvement, improved
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 – especially
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 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 La Grande chiropractic patients are manytimes
prescribed anti-inflammatory meds, so our back pain patients
may also feel some relief from this type of low
inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows such an array of natural goods!
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 La Grande chiropractic
appointment now. Eating well is not that hard and
is so good for our La Grande chiropractic friends, especially those carrying
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.