Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back childhood holiday memories?! Remarkably, peppermint is being found
today to actually be good
for memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The whiff
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Back And Neck Care Center hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Severna Park
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Severna Park 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 treatments. Essential
oils are potentially just such therapies.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers offer
that these act by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
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 mice experiment, researchers
tested how smelling peppermint essential oil improved learning and memory ability as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons reverting
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 - 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 Back And Neck Care Center
found these so interesting!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, appetite is, too. Diseases
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few issues
associated with appetite dysregulation. A
review 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 diminished
appetite. How? Numerous processes engaging the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also
noted 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 carrying extra weight around isn’t beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with Severna Park
back pain even though Back And Neck Care Center is quite good at managing
that!) Back And Neck Care Center would think our Severna Park chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Back And Neck Care 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 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.
Schedule your Severna Park chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!