Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back childhood holiday memories?! Remarkably, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to in fact benefit memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint pervades holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka wishes our Sitka chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to Sitka 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 extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers offer
that these function 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 improved the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning 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, 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 Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
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 issues
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 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 shrank
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 revealed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that being
a bit overweight is not beneficial
for us, particularly not for those of us with Sitka
back pain even though Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is quite good at managing
that!) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka would think our Sitka chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
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 care.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment soon. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!