Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to actually be good
for memory and cognition (and appetite control). The scent
of peppermint pervades holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Satterwhite Chiropractic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Oxford
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Oxford 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 therapies. Essential
oils are possibly just such therapies.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers propose
that these perform by lowering the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) 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 improved learning and memory ability as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons reverting
back to normal and Aβ deposition reducing
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 encompassing
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites included
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Satterwhite Chiropractic
found these quite fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, so too is appetite. Diseases
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few diseases
linked to appetite dysregulation. An assessment of published studies, many of which were mice
studies, regarding essential oils or fragrant compounds
that were said to influence food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds boosted
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds shrank
appetite. How? Numerous processes involving the sympathetic/parasympathetic
nerves, leptin protein hormones, and more. They also
noted that fragrance memory and cognitive processes may also contribute to appetite regulation. Nonetheless, they exposed
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 good
for us, especially not for those of us with Oxford
back pain even though Satterwhite Chiropractic is quite good at managing
that!) Satterwhite Chiropractic would think our Oxford chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint this
holiday season!
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
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 talks about the
beneficial role chiropractic has in healthcare and back pain care.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Oxford chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!