Cinnamon: the blood sugar stabilizer

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Cinnamon: the blood sugar stabilizer

Sunday, April 22, 2012 by: Dr. Jockers

http://www.naturalnews.com/035642_cinnamon_blood_sugar_regulating.html#ixzz1soFG\

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(NaturalNews) Cinnamon is one of the most anti-oxidant rich herbs on the

planet. It has been revered by nearly every culture for centuries for its

sweet taste and pleasant aroma. Cinnamon has been shown to have remarkable

medicinal qualities that enhance blood sugar signaling, reduce inflammation,

stimulate immunity and promote neurological health.

Cinnamon is naturally attained from the inner bark of a specialized family

of trees with the genus name Cinnamomum. It is primarily grown in South East

Asia regions with Sri Lanka being the major producer at 80-90 percent of the

world's supply.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest and most revered spices in the world. It was

mentioned in the Bible several times as a component Moses used in anointing

oil and it is in the perfume in the Song of among other areas.

Cinnamon was so highly esteemed that it was considered more precious than

gold.

An anti-Oxidant powerhouse

Cinnamon has the 2nd highest ranked anti-oxidant rich spice with an

incredible ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity) score of 267,536.

Cinnamon's powerful essential oils are known for their " anti-microbial "

factors. Studies have shown this spice to be highly effective at halting the

growth of bacteria as well as fungi, including the commonly problematic

yeast Candida.

Cinnamon also helps to balance blood sugar by stimulating insulin receptors,

giving them a stronger affinity for the blood-sugar lowering hormone. In

response, the body needs to produce less insulin in order to create the

desired effect. This creates less pancreatic stress, improved metabolic

rate, and decreased inflammation.

Cinnamon has three major oils that contain active compoenets called

cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol. Cinnamaldehyde have

been studied to block the release of inflammatory agents on the cell

membrane.

If this isn't enough, the mere scent of cinnamon has been shown to

powerfully stimulate regions of the brain allowing for greater attention

span & memory. Sprinkle lots of this amazing spice on sweet potatoes,

pumpkin pie, fruit, pastries, ice cream, egg nog and more.

Cinnamon should be kept in a cool, dark area with a tight seal to reduce

oxidation of its powerful nutrients. Ground cinnamon will stay good for six

months in the proper conditions while cinnamon sticks will last about a

year. Refrigeration helps extend this lifespan. If the cinnamon does not

smell sweet than it is no longer fresh and should be thrown away. Old

cinnamon smells somewhat rusty and has a reduced aromatic component.

Types of cinnamon

Two major types of cinnamon commonly found on the market include Ceylon

cinnamon and Cassia. These are from the same family but only the Ceylon

variety is considered true cinnamon. Ceylon is more expensive and nutrient

dense but also harder to come by. Both types have been shown to have

powerful anti-microbial, anti-iflammatory and blood sugar regulating

abilities.

The major difference between the two is the coumarin content. Coumarins are

blood thinning agents that are found in many different plants. High intake

of these coumarins can cause too low of a blood thinning affect. Cassia

cinnamon has much higher levels of coumarins and therefore must be used in

moderation in comparison to the Ceylon.

The challenge of the consumer is that the different types are most often not

clearly labeled. The powders look and smell the same. It is best for

individuals to use this spice in moderation unless they know for sure it is

the Ceylon type. A half teaspoon daily is plenty to derive the benefits of

this super herb.

Sources For This Article Include

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice & dbid=68

http://www.naturalnews.com/034662_essential_oils_healing_remedies.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coumarin

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=newtip & dbid=31

About the author:

Dr. Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He

is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized

nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more

information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near

you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long

distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health

goals