Toronto 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! Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre welcomes these every day in our Toronto chiropractic practice, describes the connections, and urges 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 they share like inflammation (which also affects back pain sufferers). Such a diet of natural products delivering antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could prevent 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 affecting almost 30% of people globally, any connections that can affect inflammation and fight obesity like diet and physical activity are encouraging. (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 a couple times 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.) consists of red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also includes dining with friends, dancing, exercising, being physically active! (3) These are the fun 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 types of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes security, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s prevention, 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 has 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 (green tea, tomato, capers, black and red wine), luteolin, Reservatol (nuts, fruits, grapes), apigenin (flavonoids), genistein (isoflavone), Hesperidin (grapes/citrus), etc. (4) Our Toronto chiropractic patients are often prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, so our back pain patients may also benefit from this kind of low inflammation diet. The Mediterranean Diet offers such an array of natural goods!

CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre

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

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