Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back childhood holiday memories?! Amazingly, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to in fact benefit memory and cognition (and appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre wishes our Toronto chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to Toronto back pain relief and neck pain relief more pleasant!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, COGNITION
Researchers and healthcare professionals involved
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 treatments.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources low in toxicity. Researchers propose
that these function by reducing 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 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 study also shared 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 Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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
associated with appetite dysregulation. A
review of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were reported 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? Several processes involving the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also stated 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 employing
essential oils and fragrant compounds. (3) (We all know that carrying extra weight around is not beneficial
for us, especially not for those of us with Toronto
back pain even though Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is very good at managing
that!) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre would think our Toronto chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Toronto chiropractic
appointment soon. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!