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

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Obesity and neurodegenerative disease. These are some combos! Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. sees these daily in our Auburn 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 getting clearer…as are indicators both conditions share like inflammation (which also impacts back pain sufferers). Such a diet of natural products providing antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could avert cell death and even bring back 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 concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity affecting almost 30% of people globally, any connections that can affect 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 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.) Add in fish and seafood twice weekly 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 an updated USDA food pyramid so many of us remember 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 enjoyable 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) 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 vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely recognized than others: quercetin (green tea, tomato, capers, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Auburn 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 offers such an array of natural goods!

CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.

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.

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

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