San Jose 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! Chiropractic Solutions welcomes these daily in our San Jose chiropractic practice, describes the connections, and urges the exploration of new and different-to-you ways to improve health via nutrition like the Mediterranean diet to manage obesity and neurodegenerative disease.

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND OBESITY

The benefits 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 associated with low grade inflammation which can lead to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity impacting almost 30% of people around the world, 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 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 our younger years.) 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 enjoyable things that make life happy!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates list so many benefits: improved brain function, longer life, certain kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes security, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s deterrence, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health improvement, better 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 as well as 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 important as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better known 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 San Jose chiropractic patients are manytimes prescribed anti-inflammatory meds, 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 Chiropractic Solutions

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.

Make your San Jose chiropractic appointment today. Eating well isn’t that hard and is so good for our San Jose chiropractic friends, especially those carrying a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related issues.

Back to Nutrition Articles