Peppermint candy canes...don’t these just bring back holiday
memories from youth?! Amazingly, peppermint is being found
today to in fact benefit memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The aroma
of peppermint fills holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC wishes our La Grande chiropractic patients and their
families a peppermint-filled holiday that will make their journey to La Grande 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 therapies.
Essential oils are extracted from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers propose
that these perform by reducing 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 improved the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as seen
in 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 encompassing
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
found these so interesting!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, appetite is, too. Issues
like obesity, diabetes, anorexia, bulimia nervosa are a few diseases
linked to 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 control food intake and
energy. Their findings: 11 essential oils and 22 fragrant compounds amplified
appetite; 12 essential oils and 7 fragrant compounds diminished
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 contribute to 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 isn’t good
for us, especially not for those of us with La Grande
back pain even though Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is quite good at managing
that!) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC would think our La Grande chiropractic patients
may be more inclined to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 many other
conditions like inflammation, back surgery, etc. He mentions the
beneficial role chiropractic has in healthcare and back pain management.
Dr. Kachmann has presented at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your La Grande chiropractic
appointment now. Share a peppermint candy cane with us at your next visit!