Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! They
are a holiday type of nut. They come in all types
of flavors and in all types 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 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. Johnson Chiropractic invites our
Richmond stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find
their calm! The Richmond 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 connected 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 worse gut microbiota, and their moods.
More females than males participated, but researchers found
that walnut consumption improved these metabolic and stress
markers. Researchers concluded that eating
walnuts may well be protective against academic stress. (1) Let’s find out how well it works
on 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. Johnson Chiropractic knows! An analysis of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported
that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and reduced
cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies
are being published about other benefits like enhanced
cognitive health, inflammation decrease,
glucose level regulation, body weight reduction, etc. (2) Fortunately, walnuts appear in many holiday goodies!
WALNUTS AND COGNITION
Other research has reported on the
influence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on aging, mild cognitive
impairment, Alzheimer’s another brain disorders, all issues that arise
over a long period of time. Consuming walnuts for a long-time may postpone
or slow their onset 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 didn’t seem to impact
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 Richmond
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Choose your
favorite! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Johnson Chiropractic 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 Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment
with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management incorporation
on the nervous system.
Make your Richmond chiropractic
appointment now. Bring us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut recipe!