Something more about cinnamon

I know what you might be thinking, “is this the green light to eat homemade Cinnamon buns and drink Christmas punch until the cows come home?’ Sadly this is not so. The active parts of Cinnamon are not always strong enough in culinary preparations, which means to get the levels of Cinnamon you need for therapeutic effects, you would have to eat vast amounts of Cinnamon buns washed down with even more Christmas punch! Cinnamon has been one of the world’s most important spices for many years. Although a culinary spice principally employed as a condiment and flavouring, Cinnamon has also been used favourably as an ancient herbal medicine as far back as 500BC.

From ancient times to the modern day Originating in Sri Lanka, Cinnamon is also grown in India, South America, Indonesia, Middle East and the West Indies. Harvested by growing the tree for two years it is then coppiced (cut right down and encouraged to grow again from the stump). A year later, a dozen or so shoots will form from the roots, which are then stripped of their bark and left to dry. It is this inner bark that is used for Cinnamons medicinal qualities.
Cinnamon’s beneficial impact on cholesterol levels and blood sugar balance have in the past been overlooked until recently. Published studies have sung the praises of this wonderful spice, with particular reference to an increasing modern phenomenon known as Syndrome X.

What is Syndrome X?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) were the first to publish an internationally accepted definition for Syndrome X in 1998:

Central/abdominal obesity as measured by waist circumference (men greater than 40 inches (102cm) and women greater than 35 inches (88cm).
Fasting triglycerides greater than or equal to 150mg/dL (1.69mmol/L)
HDL cholesterol (men less than 40mg/ dL (1.04mmol/L) and women less than 50mg/dL (1.29mmol/L)
Blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mm Hg
Fasting glucose greater than or equal to 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L)

The factors associated with Syndrome X may seem varied but all are inextricably linked. Obesity and lack of exercise tend to lead to insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance can lead to increased triglycerides and bad cholesterols, LDL and VLDL and decreased good cholesterol ‘HDL’. This can lead to fatty deposits in the arteries which, over time, can lead to cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and strokes. Insulin resistance read more