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

January 25, 2024

Inflammation and pain. Eating and healthy living. Neurodegenerative disease and obesity. These are some combinations! Aurora Chiropractic Center welcomes these every day in our Juneau chiropractic practice, describes the connections, and encourages the exploration of new and different-to-you approaches to enhance 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 becoming clearer…as are symptoms 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 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 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 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 simple: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: 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 a re-organized USDA food pyramid so many of us remember 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 record multiple benefits: improved brain function, longer life, specific types of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol decrease, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression deterence, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s avoidance, rheumatoid arthritis and eye health enhancement, improved breathing, improved infertility, healthier babies, and more! (3) There is something beneficial for everyone with the Mediterranean diet! Neurodegenerative diseases share 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 are able to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are widely recognized than others: quercetin (tomato, capers, green tea, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (grapes, nuts, fruits), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Juneau chiropractic patients are often 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 Aurora Chiropractic Center

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 beneficial outcomes possible with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

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

Back to Nutrition Articles