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New York City 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 combos! Rosenberg Wellness Center welcomes these daily in our New York City chiropractic practice, explains the connections, and encourages the exploration of new and different-to-you ways to improve 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 getting clearer…as are indicators both conditions share like inflammation (which also impacts 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 damaged neurons. (1) Neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s and obesity are associated with low grade inflammation leading to concerns like neuronal inflammation, brain atrophy and cognitive decline. With obesity affecting nearly 30% of people globally, any connections that can affect 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 plain: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and healthy fats. (Think: avocado oil.) Incorporate fish and seafood twice a week with dairy, eggs, and poultry occasional. Leave the red meats and sweet goodies for special occasions. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (Think of it as a re-organized USDA food pyramid so many of us might recall from years ago.) consists of red wine (in moderation) and water (lots of that!). It also incorporates dining with friends, dancing, exercising, being physically active! (3)  These are the fun activies that make life happy!

PRAISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

Mediterranean diet researchers and advocates list so many benefits: enhanced brain function, longer life, certain kinds of cancer prevention, heart disease/high blood pressure/”bad” cholesterol reduction, diabetes protection, weight loss/management support, depression prevention, 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 as well as progressive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration involves many different pathological processes that natural products – particularly the ones that contain bioactive compounds that are able to cross the blood brain barrier - are vital as neuroprotectors. Some such natural products are better 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 New York City 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 allows such an array of natural goods!

CONTACT Rosenberg Wellness 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 describes the benefits of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Make your New York City chiropractic appointment soon. Eating well isn’t that hard and is so good for our New York City chiropractic friends, especially those fighting a few extra pounds and/or experiencing neurodegeneration-related issues.