Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back holiday
memories from youth?! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to actually be good
for memory and cognition (and appetite control). The hint
of peppermint pervades holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Manahawkin Chiropractic Center hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Manahawkin
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Manahawkin 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 taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers offer
that these work by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) system, and boosting
neuroinflammation involving 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 going back to normal and Aβ deposition decreasing
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment 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 Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
found these so interesting!
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
associated with appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to influence food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds intenisified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds decreased
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 play a role
in 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 is not beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with Manahawkin
back pain even though Manahawkin Chiropractic Center is quite good at managing
that!) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center would think our Manahawkin chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Manahawkin 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 many 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 Manahawkin chiropractic
appointment today. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!