Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Remarkably, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to actually be good
for memory and cognition (and appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Vancouver Disc Centers hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Vancouver
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Vancouver 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 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 work by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, containing
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and improving
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 evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition decreasing
among other changes that may enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment also shared a new term –
metabolomics - which is 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 Vancouver Disc Centers
found these quite fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, so too is appetite. Issues
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few diseases
associated with appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were studies done with mice, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were reported to influence 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? Several processes involving the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also said that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also play a role
in appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they exposed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control using
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that carrying extra weight around is not good
for us, particularly not for those of us with Vancouver
back pain even though Vancouver Disc Centers is quite good at managing
that!) Vancouver Disc Centers would think our Vancouver chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
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 care.
Dr. Kachmann has spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic
appointment soon. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!