Peppermint candy canes...what lovely childhood memories
they bring! Amazingly, peppermint is being shown in today’s research to in fact be good
for memory and cognition (as well as appetite control). The hint
of peppermint permeates holiday décor, stockings, cocoa,
and more! Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic hopes for a peppermint-filled holiday for our Montreal
chiropractic patients that will make their journey to Montreal 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 potentially just such treatments.
Essential oils are taken from nature’s herbs of which there are
many sources that have low toxicity. Researchers suggest
that these perform by reducing the
neurotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ), anti-oxidative stress, managing
the cholinergic (the part of the nervous system that processes
acetylcholine) 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 the
ability to learn as well as retain memory as seen
in hippocampal CA1 region neurons returning to normal and Aβ deposition falling
among other changes that may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s
disease. This study also inserted a new term –
metabolomics, the study of chemical processes involving
metabolites (small molecules). In this study, such metabolites involved were
arginine, proline, inositol phosphate, cysteine, and methionine. (2). We at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
found these quite fascinating!
PEPPERMINT, BRAIN, APPETITE
Much like cognition and memory are linked
to the brain, appetite is, too. Diseases
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 said 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 engaging 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 is not good
for us, especially not for those of us with Montreal
back pain even though Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic is very good at managing
that!) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic would think our Montreal chiropractic patients
may be more motivated to enjoy peppermint throughout this year’s
holiday season!
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 spoken at conferences on The Cox® Technic
System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Montreal chiropractic
appointment now. Want to share a peppermint candy cane at
your next appointment?!