This time of year, pumpkins
are everywhere! We like them for décor, but
they offer so much more! Recent news focuses on
the benefits of their leaves to slow disc degeneration
and even possibly support regeneration. That is news
to your Tonawanda chiropractor’s ear…and without doubt to
our Tonawanda back pain and neck pain patients’ ears, too!
THE DISC – Healthy and Degenerated
Many back pain treatment approaches focus on easing the pain and returning function
without consideringa way
to slow the degenerative process and/or promote
regeneration. The intervertebral disc is made up of an inner core
(nucleus pulposus) made of proteoglycans and a layered outer rim (annulus
fibrosus) rich in collagen. Combined, these two act
as a shock absorber and stabilizer for the spine. Treatment choices
for the degenerated disc come from being aware of the
processes that lead to degeneration in order to
help alleviate discogenic pain more effectively. (1) Your
chiropractor reads about these mechanisms a lot!
PUMPKIN LEAVES AND CAROTENOIDS
It's well-known that pumpkin products and
by-products (like leaves!) have major carotenoids - β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin – with β-carotene
being the main one in most pumpkin types. The
total content of carotenoids rests on a variety of
factors, one being the extraction process. Functional
foods are developed from carotenoids which are said to add
significantly to the numerous health benefits of the foods.
(2) Nutrition can plan a role in disc health. Let’s put our Tonawanda pumpkins and their by-products to work
for us!
PUMPKIN LEAVES AND COLLAGEN AND PROTEINS AND DISC CELLS
One way to put pumpkins to work for us is
well explained in a recent study about how
the leaves of pumpkins may help. The acetone extract from Violina pumpkin
(curcurbita moshata) leaves brought about a significant
rise in extracellular matrix components like aggrecan and collagen
type II along with other proteins and stress
response regulators in the degenerated intervertebral disc cells taken
from degenerated disc tissues of spinal surgery patients. Markers indicating
the presence and activity of stem cells were significantly higher as well. This news excited the researchers to declare
that the hypothesis about how enough stimuli can support
resident cells to repopulate the degenerated discs was thus reinforced.
The report overall determined that data point
to the discovery of molecules that may
effectively reduce disc degeneration using a part of the pumpkin
that most of us throw in the trash as waste – the
leaves! (3) Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation bets you will look at the
pumpkin leaves differently this season!
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates how nutrition may decelerate and possibly
avert degeneration and stimulate regeneration via ingredients
like chondroitin sulfate based on years of research performed
already and how nutrition combined with The Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management decrease and control
spine pain. We’ll keep watching the pumpkin leaves’ research as it grows!
Make your Tonawanda chiropractic appointment
now to see us this pumpkin season!
"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."