The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

[JoanOH]

Just read this on PREVENTION magazine's web site http://www.prevention.com/article/0,...3974-1,00.html

- yes, cinnamon is allowed on Atkins

The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
From the almost-too-good-to-be-true department: A dash of cinnamon could significantly lower your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar.

When 30 women and men with type 2 diabetes added a sprinkle to their meals, blood sugar and heart-damaging blood fats (total cholesterol and triglycerides) fell 12 to 30% in just 40 days, say researchers at the USDA's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland.

Cinnamon makes muscle and liver cells more sensitive to signals from insulin, an important blood-sugar-controlling hormone, says study author Richard Anderson, PhD. Have a little (about 1/6 teaspoon) at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for a daily total of about 1/2 teaspoon, he recommends. Since cinnamon may reduce your need for diabetes or cholesterol medication, ask your doc if you need to adjust your dose.

[jimmie 48]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

thanks for this info, joan!
that is not much cinnamon at all and apparently you reap great benefits!

i have been using it in my steel cuts oats the past few mornings.

[Bren]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Olong tea (I think that is it) is another one that is supposed to stabilize blood sugars.
We tried it and it kinda tasted like warm dish water. I think I did not steep it long enough.
Mr. B has cinnamon daily.

[sallyseachange]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Glad to hear this Joan! I love cinnamon and always put in in mock danishes! Thanks!

[not2late]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Did the study mention what kind of cinnamon? In the US, what we call "cinnamon" is really cassia. Cassia is similar to "true cinnamon", but the taste is stronger. From what I recall, it has something to do with the decreased imports during WWI. The US needed a cinnamon substitute, so the spice companies began using cassia bark. They never converted back to the true cinnamon after the war.

If you look at cinnamon sticks, cassia sticks will be hard and smooth. True cinnamon sticks are softer and flakes.

[Lisa M]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Ohh...cinnamon...another added spice to life I wish I could remember the website I had found a couple of years back that proudly displayed cinnamon as a "mood" enhancer. I love having the smell around the house throughout the season.

[Adena]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Good info -- thanks for sharing! I remember reading here that someone (can't recall who) keeps a mixture of cinnamon and splenda in a little shaker, and uses it on all sorts of things. Great idea!

[ttdriver]

Re: The Spice That Cuts Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

I take 2 cinnamon capsules every morning and have for several months.


Betty