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

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Eating and healthy living. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combos! Satterwhite Chiropractic sees these every day in our Oxford 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 becoming clearer…as are symptoms they share like inflammation (which also affects back pain sufferers). Such a diet of natural products providing 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 associated with low grade inflammation which can lead to issues like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity affecting 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 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: avocado oil.) Incorporate fish and seafood twice a week 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 it!). It also incorporates dining 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 supporters list multiple benefits: improved brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, 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 as well as progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration involves 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 better known than others: quercetin (tomato, capers, green tea, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Oxford chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also feel some relief from this type of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet allows so much variety of natural goods!

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

Make your Oxford chiropractic appointment now. Eating well isn’t that hard and is so good for our Oxford chiropractic friends, especially those carrying a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related issues.

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