Inflammation and pain. Living healthy and eating well. Neurodegenerative
disease and obesity. These are some combinations!
Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic sees these daily in our
Montreal chiropractic practice, explains 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 getting
clearer…as are indicators they 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
restore function to injured neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative
diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity
are linked to 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 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 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 twice a week 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 might recall from our younger years.)
includes red wine (in moderation) and water
(lots of that!).
It also incorporates eating 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
list multiple benefits: improved
brain function, longer life, certain types of cancer
prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction,
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 and
progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration has many
different pathological processes that natural products – particularly
the ones that have bioactive compounds that have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital 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 Montreal 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 Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 benefits of
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Montreal chiropractic
appointment now. Eating well is not that hard and
is so good for our Montreal chiropractic friends, especially those fighting
a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related
issues.