Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! They’re a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types
of flavors and in all varieties of holiday treats.
(And if they’re not in your family recipe, add
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. Cross Chiropractic Center invites our
Sandy Springs stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating
some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find
their calm! The Sandy Springs chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good info like this!
THE GUT BRAIN AXIS AND STRESS
A recent study based on earlier
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 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 found
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 translates to 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. Cross Chiropractic Center knows! An analysis of
published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported
that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and reduced
cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies
are being published on other benefits like improved
cognitive health, inflammation reduction,
glucose level regulation, body weight reduction, etc. (2) It’s
a good thing walnuts appear 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 arise
over a long period of time. Consuming walnuts for a long-time may postpone
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 prior
studies’ documenting that walnut consumption thwarted
oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to
cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found
that the trial didn’t 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 Sandy Springs
holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Choose your
favorite! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.” Cross Chiropractic Center might suggest “A walnut a holi-day may well calm you and
keep you a bit healthier
and a bit jollier!” Happy holidays!
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
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 incorporation
on the nervous system.
Make your Sandy Springs chiropractic
appointment soon. Share with us your holiday stress…and
your favorite tasty walnut treat!