Mediterranean Style Anti-Inflammatory Diet Can Benefit War Veterans

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Celebrate Veterans Day With A Healthy Fat Like Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Health Benefits

Updated 25th October 2023

Mediterranean Style Anti Inflammatory Diet
Mediterranean Style Anti Inflammatory Diet
  • The Mediterranean Diet And Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can improve veterans’ health
  • Increase in monounsaturated fats, including olive oil, is known to reduce inflammation.
  • Inflammation can contribute to problems with blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
  • There are five key signs of inflammation to look out for.

Contents:

Support Our War Veterans With The Principles Of The Mediterranean Diet.

As Veterans Day approaches and we prepare to honor the brave men and women who have served our country, it’s a great time to recognize the ways The Mediterranean Diet and Extra Virgin Olive Oil can support their health and well-being.

One approach to improving the long-term health of our veterans is through understanding the unique health benefits which a Mediterranean style anti-inflammatory diet, can have on our longevity.

The diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil. These nourishing foods have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis – all of which affect many veterans. By incorporating more Mediterranean-style meals into their diets, veterans can potentially improve their health and quality of life.

The Mediterranean Diet And Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can improve Mental Health

Veterans And The Mediterranean Diet
Veterans And The Mediterranean Diet

War veterans often face unique health challenges as they return to civilian life. These challenges can have long-term effects on both their physical and mental health. However, one way veterans can potentially improve their overall health is through the Mediterranean Diet, which focuses on whole, plant-based foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. One of the key components of this diet is the use of extra virgin olive oil, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Additionally, the Mediterranean Diet’s focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve cognitive function, an important factor for veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Extra Virgin Olive Oil also contains compounds that protect the brain from age-related decline. By incorporating more of these healthy foods into their diet, war veterans may be able to improve their long-term health and well-being.

One of the most significant benefits of The Mediterranean Diet is its potential ability to prevent dementia, a degenerative brain disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

Eatingwell.com references a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2021 found that people who had the greatest adherence to a Mediterranean diet had a 72% decreased risk of developing dementia compared to those with the lowest adherence. In that same study, the higher the score one had on a scale that measured adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the younger, or healthier, their brains seemed.

Another study, published in 2018 in Neurologyfound that those who followed the Mediterranean diet more closely benefited from 1.5 to 3.5 years of protection against Alzheimer’s disease. Though exactly why is still being studied, the Mediterranean diet limits red meat and highly processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates, added sugars and saturated fat. Researchers say these foods are more likely to increase the risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and inflammation, which may speed brain aging.

Why A Healthy Fat Like Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is a Great Choice For Veterans

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Oil: The Right Type Of Olive Oil
Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Oil On Granite Table

Choosing a Healthy Fat as part of The Mediterranean Diet is a vital way to optimise the health benefits of this diet, for a number of reasons. When it comes to nourishing and supporting the wellbeing of our veterans, nutrition plays a crucial role. That’s why it’s important to consider incorporating healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil into their diets. This type of oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. But the benefits don’t stop there. Extra virgin olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be particularly useful for veterans with conditions like arthritis or pain from injuries sustained during service. Additionally, studies have shown that diets high in extra virgin olive oil may also improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. With so many potential health benefits, it’s clear that extra virgin olive oil is a smart and delicious choice for our nation’s heroes.

Recent studies have found a link between the health of veterans and adherence to the key principles of The Mediterranean Diet. A review from the US Department of Veterans who followed a Mediterranean Diet had reduced levels of inflammation. The reduced inflammation was associated with a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.The review adds to the growing body of evidence that the Mediterranean diet has a range of health benefits. This review provides further support for the idea that the diet could be beneficial for veterans, who often suffer from chronic health conditions, many of which relate to inflammation.

Access To The Mediterranean Diet Crucial For Reduced Inflammation

Access to healthy foods, including extra virgin olive oil, can help improve veterans’ health outcomes and quality of life, according to a major report.

The Whole Health recommendations from the Veterans Health Association, say that eating an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce chronic pain caused by inflammation.

Among the recommendations in the report is a reduction of saturated fats, to be replaced with monounsaturated fats, including olive oil.  High quality extra virgin olive oil is known to reduce inflammation, blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

According to the Whole Health guidance, some experts suggest you get ¼ of your fat from saturated fats, ¼ from polyunsaturated, and ½ from monounsaturated. Many diets recommend that total fats add up to about ⅓ of all the calories you eat.  You have to explore what works best for you.

Commenting on the report, a recent article from Michigan State University explains that chronic pain and obesity are common conditions among veterans.  Referencing multiple academic sources, the article explains the link:

Public Health Nutrition article links food insecurity, which affects as many as 25% of veterans, to chronic pain and obesity. Other factors that increase the rates of these conditions among veterans are the lower cost of unhealthy foods and dietary practices developed during military service. The need to eat high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods while in active service, coupled with a get-it-and-go culture, can influence eating habits upon return to civilian life.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Reduce Inflammation

Virgin olive oil is a natural and effective way to manage pain and inflammation. The oil is rich in antioxidants, in particular oleocanthal, and certain compounds that help to reduce swelling. It also has analgesic properties, which can help to soothe pain. What’s more, virgin olive oil is easily absorbed by the skin, making it an ideal treatment for localized pain and inflammation.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Alzheimer's Prevention
Extra Virgin Olive Oil For War Veterans

A healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, including extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold can help combat inflammatory diseases. The polyphenols Oleouropein Aglycone and Oleocanthal within extra virgin olive oil help to combat inflammatory diseases Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is rich in both of these polyphenols.

Recognising The Signs Of Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response to potential dangers or threats to our body.  It can manifest in the form of acute or chronic inflammation.

According to VeryWellHealth,  there are 5 Cardinal Signs of inflammation to watch out for.  These are:

Pain

Inflammation can cause pain in joints and muscles. When inflammation is chronic, a person will experience high levels of pain sensitivity and stiffness. The inflamed areas may be sensitive to touch. 

With both acute and chronic inflammation, pain is the result of inflammatory chemicals that stimulate nerve endings, causing the affected areas to feel more sensitive.

Heat

When inflamed areas of the body feel warm, it is because there is more blood flow in those areas. People with arthritic conditions may have inflamed joints that feel warm to the touch. The skin around those joints, however, may not have the same warmth. Whole-body inflammation may cause fevers as a result of the inflammatory response when someone has an illness or infection.  

Redness 

Inflamed areas of the body may appear red in color. This is because blood vessels of inflamed areas are filled with more blood than usual.

Swelling 

Swelling is common when a part of the body is inflamed. It is the result of fluid accumulating in tissues either throughout the body or in the specific affected area. Swelling can occur without inflammation, especially with injuries. 

Loss of Function         

Inflammation may cause loss of function, related to both injury and illness. For example, an inflamed joint cannot be moved properly, or it can make it difficult to breathe due to a respiratory infection. 

The reason for all these symptoms is the same: Cytokines released into the bloodstream lead to increased vascular permeability to allow migration of immune cells into tissues.

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