Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! They
are a holiday type of nut. They come in all varieties
of flavors and in all types of recipes.
(And if they are 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. Apple Country Chiropractic invites our
Williamson stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find
their calm! The Williamson chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good info like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A new study based on previous
studies that connected the brain, the gut and the gut microbiota
and the beneficial effect of eating walnuts on mental health tested stressed out college students. Academic stress was associated
with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet
and food choices, their worse gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males joined, but researchers recorded
that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers closed their paper stating that eating
walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) Apple Country Chiropractic
and our chiropractic family can see how well it works
on holiday stress!
BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Holiday parties and events impact normal
eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood
tests and other issues. Apple Country Chiropractic 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 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 appearance due to walnuts’ protective
role against inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) There is actually a Walnuts and Health Aging study based on prior
research 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 subgroups 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 keep doing their research
while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Williamson
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Apple Country Chiropractic might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
keep you a bit healthier
and a bit jollier!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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 Williamson chiropractic
appointment today. Share with us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut treat!