Montreal 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 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 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 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 prevent cell death and even restore function to damaged 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 impacting almost 30% of people globally, any connections that can address 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 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 trouble-free: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Add in fish and seafood a couple times weekly with dairy, eggs, and poultry occasional. 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 things that make life happy!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates list multiple benefits: enhanced brain function, longer life, certain types of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health enhancement, better 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 involves many different pathological processes that natural products – especially 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 recognized 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 Montreal chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also feel some relief from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array 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 illustrates the benefits of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Schedule your Montreal chiropractic appointment soon. 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.

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