Consumer

Is there anything that a little bit of cinnamon can't improve? Not that we can think of: pasta or peanut butter, sea food or salad, bananas or blood pudding, cinnamon is good on pretty much everything, and new research suggests that a little cinnamon every day may help control blood sugar levels as well.

A new study by Swedish researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that ingesting cinnamon reduces blood insulin levels, the property responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. This adds to other recent investigations which have highlighted the potential of cinnamon for individuals afflicted with diabetes.

Cinnamon trees grow in tropical areas of India, China, Madagascar, and Brazil, and the common substances which we are all familiar with, cinnamon oil, powder, and sticks, are manufactured from the bark of the trees. Historically, medicinal cinnamon use dates back over four millennia, and has a wide range of applications across the world, treating
rheumatism, food poisoning, diarrhea, and menstrual
disorders in turn.

While much research is yet to be done to decode cinnamon's further uses, and to define its relationship with insulin, blood sugar, and diabetes, this is not a tough recommendation to make: sprinkle a little cinnamon on it. Any it.

Karugapatta, pattai, lavangappattai, kurundu, korunda, tvak, dārusitā, dalchini, alseni, taj, or qerfa. However you say it, from the Song of Solomon to this morning's waffles, cinnamon is a lovely, natural gift.

DSIB: Cinnamon
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Effects of 1 and 3 g cinnamon...
NutraIngredients: Cinnamon may improve blood sugar levels
Natural News: Cinnamon Balances Blood Sugar and Lowers Cholesterol

“We know vitamin D deficiency can weaken the muscular and skeletal systems, but until now, little was known about the relationship of vitamin D with muscle power and force,” said Dr. Kate Ward, primary author of the study which appeared in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Vitamin D has become a hot topic in the wintry months, as a lack of sunlight for many Americans leads to a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Many times, a vitamin D deficiency can go unnoticed until it is too late. "Vitamin D affects the various ways muscles work and we've seen from this study that there may be no visible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency," said Dr. Ward. Often the outcome of vitamin D deficiency results in skeletal issues much later in life, such as osteoporosis. Only now, with studies like this one, are we beginning to see the many other issues a lack of this essential vitamin may raise.

DSIB: Vitamin D
JCEM: Vitamin D Status and Muscle Function in Post-Menarchal Adolescent Girls

Continuing with our senses theme from earlier in the day, we'd also like to direct you to some information concerning sound and hearing. Two recent animal studies, backed by the National Institute on Deafness, have demonstrated that temporary noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented by a combination of the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and magnesium. There is some evidence that these nutrients may work to protect a structure in the ear which is related to the hearing loss issues of advanced age, though these findings were more tenuous.

Repeated incidents of temporary noise-induced hearing loss can lead to permanent hearing loss, and researchers have now begun more extensive studies to determine the relationship between these two types of hearing damage.

EurekAlert!: Battling noise with nutrients
DSIB: Beta-carotene
DSIB: Vitamin C
DSIB: Vitamin E
DSIB: Magnesium

Vitamins play an essential role in our general well-being, and a simple lack of them can cause untold problems. A great example of this was highlighted in the Chicago Tribune yesterday, relating to one of the bodily senses, taste. The cumulative effects of vitamin deficiency can contribute to a loss of the ability to taste food. The article focusing on some of the key vitamins relating to taste:

• Folic acid (or folate)—abundant in legumes and vegetables and green leafy "foliage"—helps in the formation of new cells within the body. Interestingly, a deficiency of this vitamin can show up as a smooth, red tongue and resulting loss of taste sensation. Blood tests can detect if a deficiency of this vitamin exists.
• Vitamin B-12—a vitamin found almost exclusively in foods of animal origin (meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk)—is closely related to folic acid. So a deficiency of one is often linked to a deficiency of the other. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 may affect the nerves that carry taste sensations to the brain. Note: Microwave cooking destroys vitamin B-12. Best to cook meat and other B-12 containing foods by another method.
• Thiamin—a B-vitamin found primarily in whole grain or enriched grain products—occupies a special site on nerve cells. A deficiency of thiamin can therefore interfere with normal taste sensations.
• Zinc—a trace mineral found in high amounts in oysters, beef and crab—supports several processes in the body, including the perception of taste. A deficiency of zinc can cause changes in taste and appetite.

If you are having any difficulty with your taste sensations, investigating your daily nutrients is a good place to start searching for answers. Simple alterations can help you back on your way to appriciating the full spectrum of life: Open wide and have a taste!

DSIB: Folic Acid
DSIB: B-12
DSIB: Thiamin
DSIB: Zinc
Chicago Tribune: Vitamin deficiencies lead to loss of taste

The FDA has added a Twitter feed to provide users of the social site with instant updates for urgent product recalls. Twitter allows 140-character message updates to be sent amongst a wide group of users, and the agency is seeking to reach out to keep consumers informed instantaneously of new developments in recalled products.

The FDA's Twitter feed for product recalls is here: FDA Recalls.