Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to in fact benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The scent
of peppermint pervades holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Tonawanda
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Tonawanda back pain relief and neck pain relief more pleasant!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, COGNITION
Researchers and healthcare professionals taking care of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment hope for
effective, simple, safe-to-use-long-term treatments. Essential
oils are possibly just such therapies.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers offer
that these function by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) system, and boosting
neuroinflammation that involves microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a mice experiment, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil improved learning and memory ability as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons going back to normal and Aβ deposition decreasing
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This study also shared a new term –
metabolomics, the study of chemical processes involving
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites included
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
found these quite 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 diseases
linked to appetite dysregulation. A
review of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, concerning essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were reported to control 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 added that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also play a role
in appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they exposed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that carrying extra weight around is not beneficial
for us, particularly not for those of us with Tonawanda
back pain even though Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation is very good at managing
that!) Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation would think our Tonawanda chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Rudy Kachmann, a neurosurgeon, on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the connection
between diabetes and back pain as well as a variety of other
conditions like inflammation, back surgery, etc. He talks about the
beneficial role chiropractic plays in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Tonawanda chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!