Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Remarkably, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to actually be good
for memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Apple Country Chiropractic wishes our Williamson chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to Williamson 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 therapies. 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 suggest
that these function by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, containing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and boosting
neuroinflammation involving microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a mice experiment, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil enhanced the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons going back to normal and Aβ deposition falling
among other changes that may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This study also shared a new term –
metabolomics - which is 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 Apple Country Chiropractic
found these quite fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, so too is appetite. Diseases
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few issues
linked to appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, concerning essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said 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? Numerous processes engaging the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also stated that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also contribute to 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 isn’t good
for us, especially not for those of us with Williamson
back pain even though Apple Country Chiropractic is very good at managing
that!) Apple Country Chiropractic would think our Williamson chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Apple Country 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 talks about the
beneficial role chiropractic has in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!