Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! They
are a holiday kind of nut. They come in all varieties
of flavors and in all types of recipes.
(And if they’re not in your family recipe, add
them this year!) Research connects the gut and the brain, so it makes sense that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too.
Researchers now report on the effects of calming the gut and
the stomach to calm the brain. Spinal Care Clinic invites our
Burlington and Hamilton stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find
their calm! The Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on previous
studies that linked the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota
and the beneficial effect of consuming walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was linked
with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet
and food choices, their poorer gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males joined, but researchers documented
that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers concluded that eating
walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) Let’s see how well it works
on holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events change normal
eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood
tests and other issues. Spinal Care Clinic knows! An analysis of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented
that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and reduced
cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies
are being published on other benefits like improved
cognitive health, reduced inflammation,
glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, etc. (2) It’s
a good thing walnuts are in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has documented the
influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive
impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that develop
over a long period of time. Eating walnuts for a long-time may delay
or slow their appearance owing to walnuts’ protective
role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is actually a Walnuts and Health Aging study based on previous
studies’ documenting that walnut consumption thwarted
oxidative stress and inflammation, well-known contributors to
cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found
that the trial didn’t seem to affect
healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were at
higher risk of cognitive decline. (4) A delay in cognitive decline is good!
ADD SOME WALNUTS TO YOUR CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH PLAN
Let the researchers continue their research
while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Burlington and Hamilton
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Choose your
favorite! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Spinal Care Clinic might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
keep you a bit healthier
and a bit jollier!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration
on the nervous system.
Schedule your Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic
appointment today. Bring us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut treat!