This powerful scent improves memory

Whenever I walk by the local bakery, I’m immediately transported back to my childhood. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3A8OiiCQOuA) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3A8OiiCQOuA) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] May 8, 2024 [] Reader, Whenever I walk by the local bakery, I’m immediately transported back to my childhood. I remember how I would eagerly run down the stairs on Sunday mornings and into my grandmother’s kitchen. I couldn’t wait to see what treats she had waiting for me. She was an incredible baker. And the sweet aroma of her cookies and pies would fill the entire house. It’s not surprising that the smell of freshly baked goods takes me back to my grandmother’s house. Scent has the power to evoke powerful memories. In fact, research shows that the part of the brain responsible for processing smells is also linked to memory.1,2 And that’s what makes this latest research so exciting… [broth] Menthol lowers inflammation in the part of the brain associated with memory. A new study has determined that the aroma of menthol – the substance that gives peppermint its strong scent and flavor – boosts memory and improves cognitive abilities in animal models with and without Alzheimer’s.3 It works by reducing brain inflammation. Researchers in Spain revealed that smelling menthol leads to a reduction in the level of interleukin-1-beta (IL-1b). This protein causes an inflammatory response in the brain. I’m not surprised that an anti-inflammatory herb is a powerful weapon against Alzheimer’s. As a regular reader, you know that when it comes to chronic diseases, inflammation is at the root of all evil. Everything from diabetes and heart disease to osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s is triggered by your body’s inflammatory response. You can buy organic African peppermint leaves in health food stores or online to make a minty, refreshing tea. You can also buy peppermint essential oil, which has been extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant. The oil can be diffused using an essential oil diffuser. 2 More Memory-Boosting Anti-Inflammatory Herbs To Try Here are two more herbs I recommend with powerful anti-Alzheimer’s and anti-inflammatory properties: - Aloe Vera: This native African plant has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Most people know it as a topical treatment for sunburn and other skin wounds and irritations. However, when taken as a drink or as an inhaled essential oil, studies show that it also inhibits the expression of IL-1b.4 Aloe juice and essential oils can be found online and in health food stores, but make sure that you are getting one with pure, organic aloe and no added sugars or juices. - Curcumin: This is the main ingredient in the spice turmeric, and it’s one of the cornerstones of ancient Ayurvedic medicine. More than 6,600 studies prove curcumin beats a long list of modern drugs, including anti-inflammatories. Research also shows that curcumin inhibits IL-1b, making it a powerful weapon against Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment. In animal models, curcumin has been shown to not only reduce systemic inflammatory markers but also to improve cognitive function.5 I suggest supplementing with at least 2,000 mg of curcumin a day. Look for a product that includes black pepper piperine to increase bioavailability. And be sure to take it with a healthy fat to further increase bioavailability. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: - Herz R, et al. “Neuroimaging evidence for the emotional potency of odor-evoked memory.” Neuropsychologia. 2004;42(3):371-8. - Cahill L, et al. “The amygdala and emotional memory.” Nature. 1995;377:295–296. - Casares N, et al “Improvement of cognitive function in wild-type and Alzheimer´s disease mouse models by the immunomodulatory properties of menthol inhalation or by depletion of T regulatory cells.” Front Immunol. 2023 Apr 27;14:1130044. - Budai MM, et al. “Aloe vera downregulates LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages.” Mol Immunol. 2013 Dec;56(4):471-9. - Kuszewski J, et al. “Can curcumin counteract cognitive decline?” Adv Nutr. 2018 Mar 1;9(2):105-113. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3A8OiiCQOuA) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States