Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to actually be good
for memory and cognition (and appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our McHenry
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to McHenry back pain relief and neck pain relief more pleasant!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, COGNITION
Researchers and healthcare professionals immersed
in the care of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment welcome
effective, simple, safe-to-use-long-term therapies. Essential
oils are possibly just such therapies.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers suggest
that these function by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and enhancing
neuroinflammation involving microglia (brain and spinal
cord immune cells). (1) In a mice experiment, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil enhanced learning and memory ability as seen
in 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 study also shared a new term –
metabolomics, 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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
found these so 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 issues
linked to appetite dysregulation. A
review of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, concerning essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were reported to manage food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds increased
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds diminished
appetite. How? Numerous 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 revealed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that being
a bit overweight isn’t good
for us, especially not for those of us with McHenry
back pain even though OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is very good at managing
that!) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic would think our McHenry chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 has in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your McHenry chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!