I want to get the word out about Cinnamon and the benefits of taking it.

About 6 weeks ago I was told that there was a study in Europe that showed taking cinnamon helped Arthritis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. I did a search on the internet and found studies showing that taking cinnamon helped with Arthritis and also showed that it could cut glucose levels down as much as 30% for people with type 2 diabetes. It was also shown to help with cholesterol. I didn't find anything out about it for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Except that one research institute in california is going to do a clinical trial with cinnamon and Alzheimers.

Since Mom does have arthritis I figured it could do any harm. In August mom was having problems processing things. She had fallen - wasn't hurt but could figure out how to get up. At dinner she said she couldn't eat all of her sandwich. Her sister said to just take out the meat and eat that. You could see the blank look on mom's face that she didn't understand what her sister was telling her. She just poked at the sandwich with her fork. I was looking into day care for her instead of a companion for 4 hours three times a week. I was hoping I could still keep her home for another year.

After being on the cinnamon and taking warm water aqua therapy classes, I have my mom back. She has started washing dishes again she hasn't done in over 9 months. She use to be very religious about making her bed every day - that stopped about 2 years ago. Now she has said "I didn't make my bed today - I never do that". Her thought process is back, she is now remembering her old co-workers and their full names. She isn't having any more problems with her thought process. These things might seem small but they are huge for me. I feels like I have my mom back.

Here are a couple of web links with additional information

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/12/3215

http://diabetes.about.com/od/whatsonthehorizon/qt/cinnamon.htm (This one at the bottom tells about the proposed study for Alzheimer's)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040414003908.htm

Every day mom has regained lost ground. It is exciting to watch!!!!

Patty Hertel

PS even her companion has seen great improvement with Mom.

Changes in Mom after taking Cinnamon

August

Mom fell and couldn’t process how to get up.
She couldn’t process how to remove the meat from a sandwich and just eat the meet.
She was having problems remembering her sister’s husband’s name. She kept calling her grandson Matthew by her deceased son’s name Peter.
She had no initiative to do anything.
She has stopped all house work for a year.
She was at the point of wanted to be waited on.
I had her make her own sandwich one day and had to walk her thru each step on how to make the sandwich.
Any negative items really shook her and she couldn't deal with.
Had to keep conversations light and simple.

First of October I started her on the following items:
Hot water Aqua Therapy classes for Arthritis
3 capsules of cinnamon a day.

Items notices in October.
The thought process has cleared. No more blank looks
She is starting to do dishes again.
She asked if she could help make dinner. I had the ingredient out to make a meatloaf. I asked if she wanted to make the meet loaf. I only had to tell her how much of the ingredient to put in. Then she made the meat loaf, shaped it and put it in the pan.
She was able to keep her hair nice for one week after a perm. Didn’t wet it down and take out the curl.
Recognized Harriet has someone she knows and then was able to give me her complete last name. Palmer Willis.
She is able to walk more and not use a store scooter.
She use to make her bed every day – that stopped a couple of years ago – one day she said “ I didn’t make my bed today – what’s with me?”

11/2 I turned on the TV and then went to paint ceramics. Mom changed the channel to find something different to watch instead of turning off the TV and going to bed.
11/3 Remember that Mara went to the craft show with us.
11/4 Stopped calling Matthew Peter
11/5 Called because she wanted to watch TV and wanted to know what was on. She then changed the channel at 5 pm to news. The TV has now been on every evening since with the news. For the past two winters would come home from work find mom sitting in the dark playing a puzzle on her computer. She didn’t turn on lights or the TV.
11/6 Remembers the craft show. Remembered that Wheel of Fortune is on at 6:30 on channel 7
11/6 Was able to talk about a negative thing at work today and it didn’t upset her.
11/6 I arrange for the vents to be cleaned in the house. They were scheduled to arrive at 1 pm. They showed up at 11 am. Mom was able to take it in stride and helped clean things from vents. She use to get really upset and unsettled when I had someone coming to the house to do repairs – she insisted that I was there when they came.
11/7 Concerned about keeping her hair nice
11/7 Voluntarily talked at the Church meeting

Pat--Welcome.

Cinnamon is my favorite spice. Never knew that it could do any thing good for your health. Cinnamon may not cure our ills..but it will not kill us. Found the following information at...

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html


"1. Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

2. Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

3. In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

4. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

5. It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

6. In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

7. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

8. One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

9. Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

10. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium."

Be careful. MDadvice.com says that cinnamon is rated dangerous, particularly for persons over 55 years old. This would seem to apply to most readers of this Forum. Everything in moderation is always an important consideration.

Hey thanks for this it is worth a shot. But how much cinnamon do you give her in a day

1/2 tsp. of cinnamon is quite a lot. How do you take it? Just sprinkle it randomly on food, in drinks, or is there a tablet form?

I wonder if putting it in after you put the coffee grounds in filter works? Or does HOT water diffuse its use for AD? ZOEY M

Interested in notes about cinnamon. What stage of alzheimers was you Mom at? Is she still improving? Is this given in supplement form or just from "spice container"? Thanks

Sounds like an interesting Idea. I too am wondering how much to make a difference.

Debbie for Aunt Shirley

I too have read articles on the benefits of cinnamon, and have tried it with my 85 yr old father with AD. I have seen good results with his memory. It surprised me , but it does seem to help. He loves cinnamon toast with his breakfast.

Wal~Mart sells Cinnamon. 100 1000mg capsules for $4.95 made by Rexall.Everyone on the ALZTalk.org chat are taking them or giving them to their loved ones.We are hoping it was not just a flute.We are hoping that the recommended amount of 2000mg a day will work but would not try more because there is a toxic amount.Since there is nothing saying that it is harmful we are doing our own research.If you are waiting on the FDA to do the research just forget it,Your love one(or you) will be long gone before the results are in.Where is the Alzhemed?

Marcus---The price is right but I think that the dosage that they are talking about is 1000 and not 2000. Will pick up some this afternoon...Recheck the dosage...and...Charlie and I will start on the pills tomorrow.

DIRECTIONS:For adults,take two(2)Capsules per day,perferably with meals.That is 2 1000mg capsules per day for a total of 2000mg per day.As a reminder,discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care provider.WARNING:Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women.If you are taking any medications,consult your doctor before use.Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions ooccur.QUESTIONS:Call toll free 1-877-273-9255

Whoops My Bottle Says 1000mg then in small print per serving. With 2 capsules making up a serving.Read the fine print but I still think that 2000mg per day will be safe and effective.

Hi Patty,
I just wanted to say that I was quite impressed about the cinnamon that you gave your mom.
myself and my sisters have just come across our mom being more forgetful with every day that passes and altho she's in N.Y. we will be moving her to another state so that one of us can look after her. this is Michele

Hi there...thank you for this easy tip on cinnamon. I will definitely try it and watch for improvements. Is this why there are hardly any more "cinnamon" flavored gum? I love cinnamon and I cannot find this flavor in chewing gum anymore. I think cinnamon will soon be categorized as a drug product so they can make money...is it time to stock up?

Just a little funny about taking cinnamon capsules... I decided to try them, figured, what can it hurt?

Yesterday, about 5 minutes after I took my morning capsule, I coughed- and when I coughed a powdered cinnamon cloud came out of my mouth and into the air in front of me. Its hard to describe, but it was hilarious. I had to get a big drink of water. No one was here to witness this- Thankfully!

Wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

The cinnamon cloud did make me laugh!! I have a cinnamon product called Cinnamon Force from
NewChapter www.newchapter.info. They are a company in Vermont that makes incredible products that are excellent quality and there cinnamonforce is made from two species of the plant, and is a little gelcap. It is about the size of your pinky fingernail, and easy to swallow. No clouds!
There products tend to be a bit more expensive, but the quality makes up for the quantity.

Their products are more "bioavailable" which means that they are in a form that is more available to the body because they are derived from food and processed differently than other supplements. Much of other supplements the body cannot absorb the whole thing, and much of it passes through unabsorbed in the urine.

What I like the best about this product is that the gel caps are small.
b-