La Grande Nutrition Tip: Enjoy Fall's 3 "C" Spices
The three “c” spices – cardamon, cinnamon, clove – are 3 of fall’s coziest 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. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC presents some La Grande healthy tips about these three “anti” (anti-diseases’, that is!) spices as the seasons change in parts of the world.
ANTI-LOTS OF DISEASES! Clove
A review of 24 tropical spices and herbs with cardamom and clove among them reported on the nutritional value, health advantages, and phytochemical properties of them consisting of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous system activities. (1) In a recent 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 discovered that eugenol, the main compound in clove oil stopped the high-fat-diet rats’ obesity by modulating gut dysbiosis. (3) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC values the variety of benefits of clove for some of our La Grande chiropractic patients.
ANTI-GLUCOSE: Cinnamon and Cardamom
Various types of cinnamon have been touted for their ability to normalize and/or enhance glucose levels in diabetes. Just how it is able to do this has been considered from many different angles: by increasing the insulin sensitivity of receptor signaling pathways, decreasing inflammation, blocking glucose absorption, improving glucose uptake by glucose moved proteins, and more. It has been demonstrated to be extremely safe, too, which lead researchers to support its being discussed 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 tested it. 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 very effective as is cardamom!
ANTI-DIABETIC AND ANTILIPIDEMIC AND ANTI-OBESITY: Cardamom
Helping diabetics deal with their glucose levels is important, and cardamom is another helpful spice. Known as the “queen of spice,” caradmom’s anti-diabetic ability seems to rest in its effect on metabolic factors like glycemic indices. 3 g of cardamom a day taken from 8 weeks to 3 months significantly affected 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 improve the metabolism of glucose. (6) A review of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of green cardamom reported that triglycerides levels were significantly reduced with its use compared to control. (7) La Grande chiropractic healthcare treatment plans encourage the use of healthy, natural interventions to help! Chiropractic care is health care!
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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.
Schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment today. 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!