Cinnamon: Good taste, good medicine

Cinnamon adds zest to many foods, but it can also add zest to your life - because of it's ability to lower your cholesterol. Only about a quarter teaspoon a day can make a dramatic difference. And you don't have to try to just swallow it - you can sprinkle it on your cereal or toast, or even stir some into your coffee or cocoa.

Of course you can also eat cinnamon rolls, but the added fats and sugars might not be such a good idea.

One study reported that cinnamate, an ingredient in cinnamon, lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels even better than the statin drug lovastatin.

In addition to cholesterol control, research shows that cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity. In a study published in Diabetes Care, December 2003, scientists confirmed that cinnamon can improve blood-glucose and lipid levels.

Isn't it nice to know that such a tasty addition to your meals can also be a health benfit?

Cholesterol Drug Vytorin ingredients possibly lethal

Isn't that nice? The FDA is beginning an investigation into ezetimibe and simvastatin, the two compounds found in Vytorin which are designed to lower cholesterol levels.

A 5-year trial was conducted to see if the combined ingredients could "reduce cardiovascular events in patients with a diagnosis of aortic stenosis." The trial found that no, there were no benefits. However, a larger percentage of those treated with Vytorin (as opposed to the placebo group) were diagnosed with and died from various forms of cancer.

Two other ongoing trials will end in 2010 and 2012. I feel for those patients taking part in the trials. Why would anyone take that kind of chance with their health?

Cases such as this are a good reason not to take any drugs that haven't been around for a good long while - unless, of course, your condition is terminal and they offer some relief.

If you're taking Vytorin, you might want to go back to your doctor and ask for something safer. Or, you might want to try treating your high cholesterol with diet, exercise, and some natural remedies. I'll tell you about those tomorrow...

Niacin for high cholesterol, and diabetes, too?

Yesterday I got into a conversation with a woman who does a lot of "doctoring."

She told me that her doctor had decided to take her off statins, and had prescribed Niacin to lower her cholesterol. I didn't mention that many studies show that cholesterol is not an enemy - she wouldn't have listened if I had, because she is really convinced that she needs to lower it.

She went on to say that she didn't know about her cholesterol, but in the short time she'd been taking Niacin, she'd been able to reduce her insulin intake by 52 units a day. The doctor hadn't told her that would happen, and she was happily surprised.

The one thing she didn't like was the Niacin "flush" she got after every mega-dose.

Hmmm... could it be that good old vitamins make more difference than most doctors are willing to admit? But what about those "overdoses"? Is that really good - or not?

This calls for more research - so if you've done it, let the rest of us know...

Yours for good health,

Marte