Largo 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! Hollstrom & Associates Inc welcomes these every day in our Largo chiropractic practice, explains the connections, and encourages the exploration of new and different-to-you approaches to enhance 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 they 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 prevent cell death and even restore function to injured neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity are associated with low grade inflammation leading to issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity affecting nearly 30% of people globally, any connections that can tackle inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are hopeful. (2) We can all find prasie for 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. 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 might recall from our younger years.) consists of red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also incorporates dining with friends, dancing, exercising, being physically active! (3) These are the fun things in life!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates record so many benefits: improved brain function, longer life, certain kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease, diabetes security, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s avoidance, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health enhancement, 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 and progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration incorporates many different pathological processes that natural products – particularly the ones that have bioactive compounds that are able to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely known 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 Largo chiropractic patients are often prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, so our back pain patients may also feel some relief from this type of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers so much variety of natural goods!

CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc

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.

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

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