| Dr. Kestner: Cinnamon therapy for cholesterol, blood sugar, memory and arthritis? |
|
|
Posted: Sunday, July 26, 2009 7:53 am
|
 Email  Print
|
That can’t be true … can it? How can the stuff we sprinkle on toast, pastries and other food delights be helpful for such a diverse list of ailments?
Well, it’s true. The spice we know as cinnamon has been used for centuries for a wide range of purposes and is being rediscovered as a natural supplement to help treat certain conditions. Cinnamon has shown considerable promise for several health problems.
Before you rush out to stock up on tasty carb-loaded cinnamon swirls and lattes, take a moment to realize that this article is about using cinnamon as an herbal supplement. Using the herb cinnamon has been shown to be beneficial in certain applications, not the rich foods that are typically enhanced by the flavor.
Cinnamon has been in the news lately because it has been found to improve cholesterol profiles in patients that took small controlled amounts daily as a supplement. Previous studies have confirmed that it may also have some value in treatment of people with Type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon helped keep blood glucose levels in check.
Yes, this is the same kind of cinnamon that you probably have in your pantry right now. However, the studies used more than a sprinkle to test the medicinal effects of the herb. Cinnamon supplements are available that concentrate the powder into a pill or capsule form.
The aromatic bark of the cinnamon tree that originated in Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) has been used for millennia for flavoring and medicinal uses. This product is what is known as true cinnamon or sometimes Ceylon cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon has always been valued highly. Ancient traders would transport strips of the cinnamon bark (similar to today’s cinnamon sticks) or as a powder to lands as far west as Egypt and Europe.
A much more aromatic (and somewhat harsher) relative of the cinnamon tree is known as cassia. This product originates from a similar tree that is grown in Indonesia, China, Vietnam and other eastern locales. It is often sold simply as “cinnamon”, or may be called Saigon, Chinese, Cassia or Indonesian cinnamon.
True Ceylon cinnamon is often considered more appropriate for sweet dishes as it has a milder, sweeter flavor and aroma than the cassia variety. The cassia variety is often marketed simply as cinnamon, making it difficult to distinguish the two when purchasing.
Recent tests showing promise in controlling blood sugar levels for Type 2 diabetics primarily used the cassia variety. This variety has more essential oil content, so it is likely more effective for some medicinal uses. Interestingly, it was determined that daily supplementation with the cinnamon stabilized erratic blood sugar levels fairly well. (Chromium supplementation may be more helpful.)
Cinnamon has also been shown to improve cognitive function (clear thinking). Some studies have demonstrated that simply sniffing the aroma of cinnamon can increase the acuity of the thought processes of test subjects. (Maybe we should save those Christmas cinnamon scented pine cones to redistribute when the schools’ standardized testing season begins.)
Cinnamon has been used in combination with honey to reduce the pain of arthritis. I can find no specific group studies regarding this effect, but there are numerous personal accounts of the benefits.
Cinnamon has been reported to be useful in the treatment of yeast infections.
According to the Sloan Kettering Center for Cancer, cinnamon has been used for treatment of insulin resistance, inflammation, stomach ulcers and arthritis. This institution indicates that the cinnamon mimics the effects of insulin in aiding blood sugar being transported into tissues and out of the blood stream.
Theoretically, due to the small amount of natural coumarin present in cassia cinnamon, the spice could potentially have an adverse effect on blood clotting. I have not found any documentation of this effect occurring. It is also possible for some individuals to be sensitive to the effects of cinnamon and rashes or skin irritations have occurred. As always, if you are considering using a supplement to treat a specific condition, it is advisable to first seek medical advice.
Next week, discover how an investigation into an ancient murder may unveil the origins of acupuncture.
Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@DrKestner.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
Login and voice your opinion!
|
Digg
Facebook
MySpace
Yahoo!