McHenry Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!

Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! Walnuts are a holiday type of nut. They come in all types 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. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic tempts our McHenry stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) 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 prior 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 associated with poorer mental health in college students, with their diet and food choices, their poorer gut microbiota, and their moods. More females than males took part, but researchers recorded that walnut consumption improved these metabolic and stress markers. Researchers concluded that eating walnuts may well protect against academic stress. (1) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 impact normal eating patterns for many of us, influencing our blood tests and other issues. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 reported that eating walnuts enhanced lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies are being published about other benefits like improved cognitive health, reduced inflammation, glucose level regulation, body weight reduction, etc. (2) It’s a good thing walnuts appear in many holiday foods!

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. 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 studies’ documenting that walnut consumption thwarted 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 affect healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were 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 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 illustrates the benefits of gentle, safe chiropractic treatment with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration on the nervous system.

Schedule your McHenry chiropractic appointment soon. Share with us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut treat!