It was discovered years ago how a polyphenol which is contained in cinnamon and called MHCP (methylhydroxy chalcone polymer) can improve the glucose metabolism in fat cells as much as 20-fold.
Cinnamon is an effect way to help stabilize blood sugar, sometimes called the "poor man's insulin". Now did you know that the cinnamon you buy at your favorite supermarket may not really be cinnamon at all? Originally all cinnamon came from Ceylon, but now most cinnamon sold in the US comes from Indonesia, big difference.
The species grown in Indonesia is called cassia. Cassia is a hard woody texture and they use all layers of the bark. Since the whole tree is used this species is less expensive. Get the idea! Right, you get what you pay for.
Ground cinnamon can be added to shakes, juice and other foods including coffee or tea. Add 1/4 teaspoon per serving, 2 servings a day is recommended. At this level of dosage, it has been shown to lower the blood sugar leaves from 18% to 29%, triglycerides as much as 30% and total cholesterol reduction in the range of 12% to 26%. This occurs normally within 45 days.
Ref: Diabetes Care 03;26:3215-3218
You may double the dosage to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day, which may be necessary for some individuals. Those individuals that monitor their blood sugar, watch for a reaction. As in many cases with vitamin supplementation, more is not necessarily better. Beyond 1/2 teaspoon, twice a day, will not produce better results.
In one study that took 6 - 1/2 years to complete. The participants in the study had been on anti-diabetic drugs that cause an increase in insulin. The group took a placebo or 500mg cinnamon capsules.
Group 1 took 1 gram (1/2 teaspoon)
Group 2 took 3 grams (about 1 teaspoon)
Group 3 took 6 grams (almost 2 teaspoons)
Significant reductions in blood glucose levels was experienced. What is interesting is that Group 1 had the best improved glucose levels. This goes to show that more is not better. 1 gram of cinnamon was all that the body needed to improve the blood glucose level.
On the other hand, taking more cinnamon as Group 2 and 3 did provided improvement of blood levels of fats called triglycerides. All individuals in these groups had better triglyceride levels at the 40-day point in the test.
Cinnamon should be a part of our daily diet, regardless if there is an issue with Diabetes Type 2. Just a sprinkle is not enough.
For your information, orthodox medicine does not encourage people to eat cinnamon as a prevention measure for type 2 diabetes. Nor do they mention that type 2 diabetes is caused by trans-fatty acids and other bad fats. Nor do they tell people what the best diet is for type 2 diabetes patients. Nor do they tell people how to cure their type 2 diabetes.
Obviously Big Pharma wants you to buy thier drugs.
Honey And Cinnamon Diet
The best cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon and hence the name "Ceylon cinnamon" or Cinnamomum zeylanicum. However, nowadays Ceylon cinnamon is relatively hard to find. Most of the cinnamon readily available in markets today comes from a related tree called cassia (Cinnamonium cassia) which grows in China. It has the same properties of the Ceylon cinnamon which is often dubbed "true cinnamon" but it has a rougher, slightly bitter taste.
Cinnamon is obtained by cutting the young shoots of a cinnamon tree and removing the outer bark. As the inner bark dries it curls up to form 'quills' which are then folded into each other to form 'sticks' and or ground to form a powder.
The spice gets is scent and flavour from a chemical compound called cinnamaldehyde.
So what are some of the health benefits of cinnamon?
1. It reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics and can do the same for individuals who have not been diagnosed with diabetes but have blood sugar problems.
In this case, the active ingredient in cinnamon is a water-soluble polyphenol compound called methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP). It behaves like insulin and works synergistically with insulin in cells.
2. It lowers blood levels of fats and 'bad' cholesterol (low density lipoproteins - LDL). The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
3. It is a top antioxidant food and therefore has anti-ageing properties. Antioxidants help to prevent cellular damage in the body and it is the view of many imminent scientists including Dr Richard Cutler, Director of US Anti-Ageing Research that Department that:
"The amount of antioxidants that you maintain in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live."
4. It is helpful in treating digestive upsets such as indigestive, general sluggishness, colic and chronic diarrhoea.
5. It is warming and drying and so is an excellent remedy for colds and poor circulation. Used on a daily basis it can help to clear up problems with cold extremities.
6. In a study at a Copenhagen University, when taken with honey, cinnamon was shown to reduce the pain of arthritis.
7. Cinnamon extracts have been used to treat cases of the yeast Candida which were proving to be resistant to the commonly used anti-fungal medication - fluconazole. The success of this treatment is due to the anti-microbial properties of cinnamon's essential oils.
The bad news is that it's not advisable to start eating lots of sticky, cinnamon buns. Ground cinnamon is not water soluble. If you want to supplement your diet with cinnamon it is best to do so using cinnamon capsules and it is also advisable to seek the advice of a doctor or qualified nutritionist.
Pregnant women should avoid excessive intake of cinnamon and should not take it as a supplement as it is a uterine stimulant.
Both Joni Bell & Nickolove Lovemore are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Joni Bell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Medicine and Alternative Medicine. Joni Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods.. Joni Bell's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Nickolove Lovemore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Energy Healing and Blood Pressure. For more expert information about other super foods with great healing properties as well as other practices that can help to boost your health, vitality and longevity visit. Nickolove Lovemore's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
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