Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Remarkably, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to in fact benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The whiff
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Aaron Chiropractic Clinic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Fort Wayne
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Fort Wayne 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 therapies. 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 suggest
that these work by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, containing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and enhancing
neuroinflammation involving 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 lowering
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment also inserted a new term –
metabolomics - which is 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 Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
found these so fascinating!
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 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 influence food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds amplified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds shrank
appetite. How? Several processes engaging 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 revealed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that carrying extra weight around is not good
for us, particularly not for those of us with Fort Wayne
back pain even though Aaron Chiropractic Clinic is quite good at managing
that!) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic would think our Fort Wayne chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
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 mentions 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 Fort Wayne chiropractic
appointment now. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!