Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to in fact benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The hint
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Auburn
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Auburn 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 treatments.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers suggest
that these act by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, controlling
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) 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 the
ability to learn as well as retain memory 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 experiment also shared a new term –
metabolomics, the study of chemical processes involving
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites included
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
found these so fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are associated with the brain, appetite is, too. 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, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to influence food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds amplified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds decreased
appetite. How? Several processes engaging the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They added 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 realize that being
a bit overweight isn’t good
for us, particularly not for those of us with Auburn
back pain even though Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. is quite good at managing
that!) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. would think our Auburn chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Rudy Kachmann, a neurosurgeon, on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates 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 plays in healthcare and back pain management.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Auburn chiropractic
appointment soon. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!