A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps the Blood Cholesterol Go Down
According to Mary Poppins, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
in a most delightful way." A new report suggests that the equivalent of a
spoonful of cinnamon a day can significantly lower blood sugar, cholesterol
and lipid levels, which is most delightful news for people with - or at risk
of developing - diabetes.

Sixty people with type 2 diabetes were divided into six groups; three groups
received daily doses of cinnamon (1, 3 or 6 grams, respectively), while the
other groups received placebo capsules containing wheat flour. The cinnamon
was consumed for 40 days, followed by a 20-day washout period. Blood
glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were all
significantly lower in patients receiving cinnamon compared to those given a
placebo.

While adding cinnamon to the diet won't cure a person with diabetes, it may
help protect diabetic patients from some of the worst complications that
arise from the condition, such as blurred vision, heart disease and kidney
failure. There are a variety of ways cinnamon can be incorporated into a
person's diet, such as adding it to coffee or cereal, or making a tea out of
boiling water and cinnamon stick.

For more information on herbs, visit
www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/herbs.html.

Reference: Khan A, Safdar M, Muzaffar Ali Khan M, et al. Cinnamon improves
glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care December
2003;26, pp3215-3218.