Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back childhood holiday memories?! Remarkably, peppermint is being found
today to in fact be good
for memory and cognition (and appetite control). The scent
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Chiropractic Solutions hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our San Jose
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to San Jose 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 potentially just such therapies.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers propose
that these function 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 enhanced learning and memory ability as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition falling
among other changes that may improve 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 included
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Chiropractic Solutions
found these so interesting!
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 diseases
associated with appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, concerning 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 decreased
appetite. How? Numerous processes involving the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They added that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also contribute to appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they exposed
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 good
for us, especially not for those of us with San Jose
back pain even though Chiropractic Solutions is quite good at managing
that!) Chiropractic Solutions would think our San Jose chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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 has in healthcare and back pain management.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your San Jose chiropractic
appointment now. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!