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McHenry Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!

Stressed out over the holidays? Eat walnuts! They’re a holiday kind of nut. They come in all types of flavors and in all sorts of recipes. (And if they are not in your family recipe, add them this year!) Research connects the gut and the brain, so it seems logical that if the brain is stressed, the gut is, too. Researchers now watch the effects of calming the gut and the stomach to calm the brain. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic tempts our McHenry stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless you’re allergic to them!) to find their calm! The McHenry chiropractic care plan embraces all sorts of good info 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 eating walnuts on mental health experimented with 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 documented that walnut consumption enhanced these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers closed their paper stating that eating walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic and our chiropractic family can 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, making changes in our blood tests and other issues. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and lessened cardiovascular disease risk. Additionally, more and more studies are being published about other benefits like enhanced 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 arise 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 an actual study called the Walnuts and Health Aging study based on previous research documenting that walnut consumption reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, recognized contributors to cognitive decline. An fMRI study of participants after 2 years’ consumption found that the trial did not appear to impact healthy elders but suggested a delay in subgroups 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 keep doing their research while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this McHenry holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Take your pick! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” OrthoIllinois 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 OrthoIllinois 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 incorporation on the nervous system.

Make your McHenry chiropractic appointment today. Share with us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut recipe!

 
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic shares a picture of a walnut which is said to be good for the gut and reduce stress. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."