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Ashburn and Herndon 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. Neurodegenerative disease and obesity. These are some combos! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn sees these daily in our Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic practice, explains the connections, and urges the exploration of new and different-to-you ways 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 symptoms both conditions 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 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 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 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: avocado oil.) Incorporate 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 years ago.) consists of red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also includes eating with friends, dancing, exercising, being physically active! (3)  These are the fun activies in life!

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 reduction, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health enhancement, improved breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies,  and more!  (3) Most everyone may benefit from the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases experience 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 Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers so much variety of natural goods!

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

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 Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment soon. Eating well is not that hard and is so good for our Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic friends, especially those carrying a few extra pounds and/or dealing with neurodegeneration-related issues. 

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