Eating vegetables have always played an essential role in our everyday diet. Health experts encourage the consumption of plant-based food because of the nutrients it offers. And since it has little to no fat and calorie content, it reduces the risk of chronic diseases that can be acquired from eating meat. Vegetables are easy and delicious ways to keep our body healthy.
Because of how good vegetables are for our body, a diet revolving around only consuming it and eliminating meat had been popular for years. People who practice vegetarianism and veganism have increased. According to Vegan Bits, there are currently at least 75,300,000 vegans worldwide.
But did you know that there’s also a link found between the effects of veganism on chiropractic therapy? How exactly would this diet affect our nervous system?
Vegan vs Vegetarian: What’s the Difference?
The words vegan and vegetarian may sound like they can be easily interchanged. Since both describe a lifestyle that removes meat from the diet, many people assume that they are the same. However, that can’t be farther from the truth. Although the two have key similarities, they are also very different.
Vegans wholly reject the consumption of any animal or its by-products, including seafood. They avoid consuming and using anything that came from animals, even products that involve testing on animals. Most of them are not only after the benefits that vegetables can give but also because of the moral grounds they stood on. Vegans are known to be passionate about animal welfare, and only purchase cruelty-free items.
Vegetarians, on the other hand, only abstain from eating animal meat, but will still consume animal by-products. This includes eggs, dairy, and to some, the occasional seafood. Unlike vegans, vegetarians are less critical of the products they purchase.
There are also different types of vegetarians, with diets vastly different from each other. The most common type of vegetarian is a Lacto-Ovo, meaning milk and eggs. This diet consists of dairy products and eggs and doesn’t include animal meat, poultry, or seafood.
Lacto vegetarians are people who consume dairy by-products but don’t eat eggs, poultry, seafood and meat. Ovo vegetarians are individuals who eat eggs but avoid dairy by-products, poultry, seafood, and meat. A Pesco vegetarian is considered to be semi-vegetarian since they still eat seafood despite avoiding meat and poultry.
How Does a Vegan Diet Affect Chiropractic Therapy?
Nutrition significantly impacts chiropractic therapy. That is why chiropractic doctors still give counselling to their patients the importance of their diet and nutrition into their practices.
A Practice Analysis conducted in 2015 by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners or NBCE showed that 97% of chiropractors advise their patients when it comes to food consumption. These include dietary and nutritional recommendations, which is now considered a part of the treatment plan for patients undergoing chiropractic therapy.
As you might know, chiropractic therapy is a non-invasive form of drug-free medication. Its primary concern is to diagnose and treat individuals with disorders in the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. This is a very vital part of the human body, one that can profoundly influence our lives when damaged.
In a chiropractic session, the doctor will make sure that your spine and nervous system will be appropriately aligned. Remember those videos online about a person realigning their patient’s bones into the right places? That’s chiropractic therapy. It might look painful, but the treatment can be a life-saver for many people with chronic illness.
Now, how do vegan diets enter into this equation? The answer is simple. Research suggests that plant-based consumption may improve the condition of a person who suffers from chronic pain. Foods such as vegetables, grains, and fruits have been observed to lessen the chronic pain people with musculoskeletal disabilities continuously feel.
Migraines can also be managed by eating fibre-rich foods. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes, which contain high amounts of fibre removes the extra estrogen and disposes of it with the waste. This prevents it from being recycled back into the bloodstream. They’re also low in fat, which is the body’s key component to make estrogen.
Not only that, a diet that lessens or avoids the intake of meat has shown a significant reduction of muscle inflammation. According to the study conducted by Harvard University, foods such as tomatoes, olive oil, fruits, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and fish can help reduce muscle swelling when incorporated into our everyday diet.
Bones also need calcium to stay healthy and strong. Of course, calcium must be adequately maintained so that our bones function correctly. Foods that are high in protein such as dairy and milk can cause our bones to absorb less calcium. Milk might contain calcium, but 30% of that is used to metabolize the protein that is also found in milk.
That is why many chiropractors tell you to eat your vegetables. Vegetables that are rich in calcium such as leafy greens, and fruits and seeds are a better option than dairy. They are also cheaper and easier for the body to absorb and utilize.
In Need of Chiropractic Therapy?
If you or someone you know are suffering any chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues, consider consulting a chiropractic doctor. If you’re from Australia and in need of a trustworthy chiropractor, Body Focus Chiropractic is a clinic that can help you resolve issues involving the spine and nervous system. To learn more, you can visit their website.
Takeaway
We can reap a lot of benefits from restricting our diet with only vegetables. Not only that, but several studies have also shown that practising veganism can help reduce issues involving the nervous system, especially the spine. Since chiropractors have been known to help you with your nutrition, they would surely want you to eat your vegetables and lessen your consumption of unhealthy foods.
