Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back holiday
memories from youth?! Remarkably, peppermint is being found
today to actually benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The hint
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! New Roads Chiropractic Center wishes our New Roads chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to New Roads 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 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 act by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, containing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) system, and improving
neuroinflammation that involves 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 evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons going back to normal and Aβ deposition lowering
among other changes that may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This study also inserted a new term –
metabolomics - which is the study of chemical processes encompassing
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at New Roads Chiropractic Center
found these quite fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are associated with the brain, so too is appetite. Diseases
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few diseases
associated with 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 manage food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds increased
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds reduced
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 exposed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that carrying extra weight around isn’t beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with New Roads
back pain even though New Roads Chiropractic Center is very good at managing
that!) New Roads Chiropractic Center would think our New Roads chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT New Roads Chiropractic Center
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 mentions 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.
Schedule your New Roads chiropractic
appointment now. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!