Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! Walnuts are a holiday type of nut. They come in all varieties
of flavors and in all varieties of recipes.
(And if they’re not in your family recipe, put them in
them this year!) Research links the gut and the brain, so it
seems logical 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. Chiropractic Solutions tempts our
San Jose stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find
their calm! The San Jose chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good tips like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A new study based on earlier
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 choices of foods, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males joined, but researchers documented
that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers closed their paper stating that eating
walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Chiropractic Solutions
and our chiropractic family can find out how well it translates to holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events affect normal
eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood
tests and other issues. Chiropractic Solutions knows! A review of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented
that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and lessened
cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies
are being published about other benefits like enhanced
cognitive health, inflammation reduction,
glucose level regulation, body weight reduction, 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 progress
over a long period of time. Eating walnuts for a long-time may postpone
or slow their onset due to walnuts’ protective
role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is an actual study
called the Walnuts and Health Aging study based on previous
studies’ documenting that walnut consumption counteracted
oxidative stress and inflammation, well-known contributors to
cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found
that the trial did not appear 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 a
good outcome!
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 San Jose
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Chiropractic Solutions might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
maintain your health and happiness this and future holiday season(s)!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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.
Make your San Jose chiropractic
appointment soon. Bring us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut recipe!