Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back childhood holiday memories?! Amazingly, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to actually benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The whiff
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Minster Chiropractic Center wishes our Minster chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to Minster 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 potentially just such treatments.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers propose
that these work by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) system, and improving
neuroinflammation involving microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a lab experiment with mice, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil enhanced learning and memory ability as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons reverting
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 encompassing
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites included
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Minster Chiropractic Center
found these quite interesting!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, appetite is, too. Issues
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few issues
associated with appetite dysregulation. A
review of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were reported to manage food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds amplified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds decreased
appetite. How? Several processes engaging the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also
noted that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also play a role
in appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they uncovered
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that being
a bit overweight is not good
for us, especially not for those of us with Minster
back pain even though Minster Chiropractic Center is very good at managing
that!) Minster Chiropractic Center would think our Minster chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
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 management.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Minster chiropractic
appointment today. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!