Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Remarkably, peppermint is being found
today to in fact be good
for memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Ashburn
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Ashburn 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 possibly just such therapies.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers suggest
that these function by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, controlling
the cholinergic (acetylcholine processing in the nervous system) system, and enhancing
neuroinflammation that involves 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 evidenced by hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition lowering
among other changes that may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This experiment also inserted a new term –
metabolomics - which is 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 Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
found these so interesting!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are associated with the brain, so too is appetite. Issues
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few issues
associated with appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, 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 decreased
appetite. How? Several processes involving 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 revealed
hope for appetite regulation and eating disorders control employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all realize that being
a bit overweight isn’t beneficial
for us, particularly not for those of us with Ashburn
back pain even though Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is very good at managing
that!) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn would think our Ashburn chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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 talks about 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.
Make your Ashburn chiropractic
appointment soon. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!