Georgetown Nutrition Tip: Enjoy Fall's 3 "C" Spices
The three “c” spices – cardamon, cinnamon, clove – are three of fall’s comfiest spices! Added to foods and drinks from tea and coffee to soups, entrees, and desserts, these spices do spice up the taste buds…and the body! Dr. Butwell presents some Georgetown healthy tips about these three “anti” (anti-diseases’, that is!) spices as the seasons change around the world.
ANTI-LOTS OF DISEASES! Clove
A review of 24 tropical spices and herbs with cardamom and clove listed with them reported on the nutritional value, health advantages, and phytochemical properties of them including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous system activities. (1) In a new study about the anti-cancer effect of spices in the Mediterranean diet, researchers included clove as one of the chemo-therapeutic and chemo-preventive spices along with ginger, black cumin, rosemary, pepper, and turmeric. (2) Further, in a rat study, researchers tested rats and found that eugenol, the main compound in clove oil averted the high-fat-diet rats’ tendency to gain weight and be obese by controlling the imbalance of microbiota of the gut. (3) Dr. Butwell values the variety of benefits of clove for some of our Georgetown chiropractic patients.
ANTI-GLUCOSE: Cinnamon and Cardamom
Various types of cinnamon have been hyped for their ability to normalize and/or enhance glucose levels in diabetes. Just how it is able to do this has been debated from many different angles: by improving the insulin sensitivity of receptor signaling pathways, decreasing inflammation, impeding glucose absorption, enhancing glucose uptake by glucose transported proteins, and more. It has been demonstrated to be extremely safe, too, which lead researchers to endorse its being talked about as part of diabetes management with patients. (4) The leaf of true cinnamon – Ceylon cinnamon – has been described as offering all sorts of health benefits, so researchers put it to the test. They found that leaf extracts of Ceylon cinnamon extended a multitude of bioactivities from cholesterol esterase and micellization inhibition to glutathionase-S-transferase, COX1 and COX2 inhibition as well as cytotoxicity against studied cancer cell lines (MCF7, HePG2, AN3CA) as well as being anti-inflammatory and antilipidemic. (5) In lots of technical terms, Ceylon cinnamon is quite amazing as is cardamom!
ANTI-DIABETIC AND ANTILIPIDEMIC AND ANTI-OBESITY: Cardamom
Helping diabetics cope with their glucose levels is important, and cardamom is another helpful spice. Known as the “queen of spice,” caradmom’s anti-diabetic property seems to rest in its effect on metabolic factors like glycemic indices. Taking 3 g of cardamom daily for 8 weeks to 3 months significantly impacted HbA1C and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (how much insulin the body needed to keep blood sugar levels consistent). Research highlighted caradmom’s ability to enhance the metabolism of glucose. (6) A review of randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of green cardamom reported that triglycerides levels were significantly decreased with its use compared to control. (7) Georgetown chiropractic healthcare treatment plans encourage the use of healthy, natural interventions to help! Chiropractic care is health care!
CONTACT Dr. Butwell
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lee Hazen and Cheri Hazen RN on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as they describe relieving chiropractic care via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management and nutrition.
Make your Georgetown chiropractic appointment now. As you cozy your way into fall, invite the three ‘c’ fall spices for their spiciness and their healthiness and especially their anti-disease-ness!! Enjoy!
