Guest guest Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 I have not read this through yet, but sent it on because what I did read sounded interesting. I am running out the door, will read it soon. Anyone who has any input is welcome to let me know! Thanks and hugs, Marilyn > > Cinnamon: A spicy balm > A daily dose can help treat diabetes patients > By Barbara Rolek > In September 2002, Mrs. Fields' cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing was > named " food porn of the month " by the Center for Science in the Public > Interest. > > But they do have some redeeming value: If the fat, sugar and carbohydrate > load are taken away, the remaining cinnamon could actually be good for you. > Especially if you're a type 2, or adult-onset, diabetic. > > Daily intake of cinnamon can reduce blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL > cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, > according to research by Alam Khan, a biochemist at the Human Nutrition > Research Center in Beltsville, Md., published in the journal Diabetes Care. > It makes cells much more sensitive to insulin, thus increasing glucose > metabolism, a process in which cells convert blood sugar into energy. > Cloves, bay leaves and turmeric also have shown promise in enhancing > insulin's action, the study found. > > Researchers have long speculated that foods, especially spices, could help > treat diabetes. The search for a atural way to keep blood-sugar levels > normal began more than a decade ago when , lead scientist > at > the Human Nutrition Research Center, began studying plants and spices used > in folk medicine. > > He and his colleagues found that a few spices--especially cinnamon--made > fat > cells much more responsive to insulin, and as little as half a teaspoon a > day can produce cholesterol-lowering effects as nearly dramatic as those > produced by prescription drugs. > > The American Diabetes Association, based in andria, Va., views the > studies with cautious optimism, stating that, although they show cinnamon > could be beneficial for people with diabetes, more research will be needed > to understand the effects it has on the disease. > > Active ingredient found > > 's research team, which is under the auspices of the U.S. > Department > of Agriculture, found cinnamon's most active ingredient is methylhydroxy > chalcone polymer. They have applied for a patent on MHCP--a tasteless, > water-soluble extract--to b used as a supplement, or as an additive in soda > and other high-sugar foods and drinks, to negate some of the spikes in > blood > sugar produced after eating or drinking such products. > > MHCP is not found in the spice oils sold as food additives so, according to > , the best way to use it would be to buy sticks of cinnamon and > grind them. But cinnamon is no cure-all. Eating it in high-calorie cinnamon > rolls and cakes will negate its effect. A sprinkle on oatmeal is a better > way to go. Another good way to get a substantial dose is to boil cinnamon > sticks in water to make tea, he said. > > " The most effective way is to take 1/4 teaspoon twice a day. Personally, I > add it to orange juice. But you can put it on toast, in meats or in coffee > before you brew it, " said. Alternatively, he recommends taking one > to two capsules of the powdered MHCP in capsule form. > > said researchers have not found any downside to taking cinnamon. > Extraordinary amounts would have to be consumed to have a toxc effect. > > An unconventional treatment > > Dr. Chiedu Nchekwube, who specializes in family practice and integrated > medicine in Merrillville, Ind., has used cinnamon in his practice for > years. > > " I prescribe cinnamon as part of a formulation that includes fenugreek, > garlic, bitter melon and ginger to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol > levels, " Nchekwube said. > > Nchekwube has treated patients with a combination of conventional Western > medicine and holistic approaches since 1988. > > " My patients pushed me to study it, actually. Even though I come from > Nigeria, where herbal medicine is practiced, I was unfamiliar with it. I > did > extensive research and found that 25 to 30 percent of prescription drugs > are > derived from plant sources, " Nchekwube said. > > A warning Nchekwube offers to diabetics using cinnamon in tea is to monitor > their blood glucose levels closely because the spice may enhance the > effectiveness of their oral diabetes medications, resulting in low blood > sugar reactions. > > " If you use cinnamon herapeutically, you should inform your doctor, " he > said. > > Heartened by the research, but cautious, Letitia Cain, a naturopathic > practitioner with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, urges > consumers to exercise caution too. > > " It looks promising, but botanicals don't tend to exert strong effects real > fast, and I would expect that in cinnamon also. Much better results are > obtained with diet and exercise. If a patient's blood glucose level is 300, > botanicals are not going to drop it that much, " Cain said. > > It's always exciting when old, familiar ingredients are being used in new, > beneficial ways, Cain said, but she stresses that people should not replace > oral medications with botanicals. > > " Work in conjunction with your physician to find a level that works for > you, " Cain says. > > s, a Minneapolis-based dietitian and spokesperson for the ADA, > is > not a big proponent of taking cinnamon in capsule form. > > " I've always been a fan of foods first. There are so many components > working > tgether synergistically, " s said. She advises adding ground cinnamon > to yogurt, juices, coffee or tea or any non-fatty, sugary food that would > negate the potential benefits of the spice. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.