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Vancouver Holiday Stress? Eat Walnuts!

Stressful holidays? Eat walnuts! Walnuts are a holiday type of nut. They come in all sorts of flavors and in all sorts of recipes. (And if they’re 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 study the effects of calming the gut and the stomach to calm the brain. Vancouver Disc Centers tempts our Vancouver stressed-out patients, families, and friends to try eating some walnuts (unless there is an allergy!) to find their calm! The Vancouver 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 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 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) Vancouver Disc Centers and our chiropractic family can see how well it translates to holiday stress!

BENEFITS OF WALNUTS ON OTHER HEALTH ISSUES

Holiday parties and events change normal eating patterns for many of us, making changes in our blood tests and other issues. Vancouver Disc Centers knows! An analysis of published research on walnut consumption since 2017 documented that eating walnuts improved lipid profiles and decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Further, more and more studies are being published on other benefits like improved cognitive health, inflammation decrease, glucose level regulation, body weight decrease, 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 delay 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 previous studies’ documenting that walnut consumption reduced 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 impact healthy elders but suggested a delay in those who were 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 continue their research while we do our own! Try the theory yourself. Enjoy a few walnuts this Vancouver holiday season. Plain. Candied. Spicy. Cinnamon coated. Choose your favorite! Like they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Vancouver Disc Centers 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 Vancouver Disc Centers

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 Vancouver chiropractic appointment soon. Bring us your holiday stress…and your favorite tasty walnut recipe!

 
Vancouver Disc Centers shares a picture of a walnut which is said to be good for the gut and lower 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."