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 scent
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Layden Chiropractic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Plainville
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Plainville 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 propose
that these act by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, containing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) 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 enhanced learning and memory ability as evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons reverting
back to normal and Aβ deposition decreasing
among other changes that may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment also inserted 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 Layden Chiropractic
found these so fascinating!
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. An assessment of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, regarding 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 diminished
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 contribute to appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they uncovered
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that being
a bit overweight isn’t beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with Plainville
back pain even though Layden Chiropractic is quite good at managing
that!) Layden Chiropractic would think our Plainville chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Layden Chiropractic
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 Plainville chiropractic
appointment soon. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!