Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back holiday
memories from youth?! Remarkably, peppermint is being found
today to in fact benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Wilson Family Chiropractic wishes our Millville chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to Millville back pain relief and neck pain relief more pleasant!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, COGNITION
Researchers and healthcare professionals involved
in the care of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment welcome
effective, simple, safe-to-use-long-term treatments. Essential
oils are possibly just such treatments.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers propose
that these work by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and boosting
neuroinflammation involving microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a lab experiment with mice, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil improved the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition reducing
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This study also inserted a new term –
metabolomics - which is the study of chemical processes encompassing
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Wilson Family Chiropractic
found these so interesting!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are associated with the brain, so too is appetite. Issues
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few issues
associated with appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to manage food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds intenisified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds reduced
appetite. How? Several processes involving the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also
noted that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also contribute to appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they uncovered
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that being
a bit overweight is not beneficial
for us, particularly not for those of us with Millville
back pain even though Wilson Family Chiropractic is quite good at managing
that!) Wilson Family Chiropractic would think our Millville chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Wilson Family Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Rudy Kachmann, a neurosurgeon, on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the connection
between diabetes and back pain as well as a variety of other
conditions like inflammation, back surgery, etc. He mentions the
beneficial role chiropractic plays in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Millville chiropractic
appointment soon. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!