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 aroma
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Manchester
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Manchester 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 potentially just such therapies.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers propose
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 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 the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons going back to normal and Aβ deposition falling
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment also shared a new term –
metabolomics - which is the study of chemical processes involving
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
found these quite 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 issues
linked to appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, concerning essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to control food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds boosted
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds reduced
appetite. How? Numerous processes engaging the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They added 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 beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with Manchester
back pain even though Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is very good at managing
that!) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries would think our Manchester chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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 plays in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Manchester chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!