Published January 26, 2011

Two things diabetics must know about cinnamon

Diabetes is running rampant in the U.S. In addition to fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and a host of other problems, diabetes also makes you more susceptible to heart attack and cancer. The good news is there are many non-drug ways to prevent and treat diabetes. They are far more effective than drugs — and a lot less expensive. One of the most common is also one of the most effective.

You’ve probably heard that cinnamon is good for diabetics. A recent study confirmed how valuable cinnamon is if you’re battling this disease. In this study, researchers evaluated 58 type-2 diabetics in London for hemoglobin A1C levels while taking two grams daily of cinnamon. Hemoglobin A1C is an accepted marker for long-term blood sugar control. The researchers found that the cinnamon significantly reduces the level. That would translate directly to less vascular and other damage from diabetes, as well as better blood sugar control.

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Published January 21, 2011

Common cold and flu drugs destroy your brain

There’s a new class of drugs you’ve likely taken, that you need to be wary of. New evidence suggests these extremely common drugs might cause long-term cognitive impairment.

Anticholinergics get their name from their action. They block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter. You might not even know that you’re on one of these common drugs. But more than likely, you’ve taken one or more. This drug is in some popular over-the-counter brands, including Benadryl, Dramamine, Sominex, Tylenol PM, and Unisom. Prescription varieties include such chemicals as antidepressants (Paxil, Elavil), Detrol, and certain narcotics like Demoral.

The new study monitored the cognitive abilities of 1,652 African-American seniors. All of them were aged 70 or older. And all had normal cognitive function at the study’s out-set. The researchers tracked all of the medications the study participants took for six years. They also monitored their brain function.

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Published January 20, 2011

Reduce your risk of breast cancer by 30%

When women go through menopause, the symptoms often seem unbearable. So doctors rarely hesitate to prescribe the quickest fix. Unfortunately, this quick fix can kill you. In fact, a new study suggests that this fix can increase your risk of breast cancer by 30%. And it can double your risk of death.

This quick fix, of course, is the synthetic hormone PremPro. PremPro is the most commonly prescribed drug given to women for menopausal symptom relief. It is a combination of synthetic estrogens and a drug called medroxyprogesterone. It’s not really a hormone, but a drug that alters your body’s chemistry and, as a result, reduces menopausal symptoms.

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