Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to in fact benefit memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The scent
of peppermint pervades holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Amelia Chiropractic Clinic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Fernandina Beach
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Fernandina Beach 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 treatments. Essential
oils are possibly just such treatments.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers suggest
that these act by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, controlling
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and enhancing
neuroinflammation involving microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a lab experiment with mice, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil improved learning and memory ability as evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition decreasing
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 involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
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 diseases
linked to appetite dysregulation. A
review of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to control food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds increased
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds shrank
appetite. How? Several processes involving 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 uncovered
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that being
a bit overweight isn’t good
for us, especially not for those of us with Fernandina Beach
back pain even though Amelia Chiropractic Clinic is quite good at managing
that!) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic would think our Fernandina Beach chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
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 many other
conditions like inflammation, back surgery, etc. He mentions the
beneficial role chiropractic has in healthcare and back pain management.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Fernandina Beach chiropractic
appointment now. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!