Oxford Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!

Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! They’re a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types of flavors and in all varieties of recipes. (And if they’re not in your family recipe, add them this year!) Research links the gut and the brain, so it makes sense that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too. Researchers now report on the effects of calming the gut and the stomach to calm the brain. Satterwhite Chiropractic invites our Oxford stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find their calm! The Oxford chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!

THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS

A recent study based on prior studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota and the beneficial effect of eating walnuts on mental health experimented with 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 participated, but researchers documented that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers concluded that eating walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) Satterwhite Chiropractic and our chiropractic family can see how well it works on holiday stress!

BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES

Holiday parties and events impact normal eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood tests and other issues. Satterwhite Chiropractic knows! A review of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies are being published about other benefits like enhanced 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 documented the influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that arise over a long period of time. Eating walnuts for a long-time may delay 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 previous research documenting that walnut consumption thwarted 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 appear to impact healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were at higher risk of cognitive decline. (4) A delay in cognitive decline is a good outcome!

ADD SOME WALNUTS TO YOUR CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH PLAN

Let the researchers keep doing their research while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Oxford holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Satterwhite Chiropractic might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and keep you a bit healthier and a bit jollier!” Happy holidays!

CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration on the nervous system.

Make your Oxford chiropractic appointment now. Bring us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut treat!