Cinnamon for spice and good health

Cinnamon: For Spice and Good Health

Many health experts claim that a dash of cinnamon can be a way to add flavor to many dishes and at the same time improve one's health in many ways. Cinnamon has been used for traditional medicine for centuries, and is known for its remedial qualities

infection, diet, arthritis

The aromatic scent of cinnamon is powerful because it makes many people feel warm and fuzzy. The health benefits of cinnamon have taken the backseat in favor of its spice properties. Many health experts claim that a dash of cinnamon can be a way to add flavor to many dishes and at the same time improve one's health in many ways. For centuries, cinnamon has been used for traditional medicine and other therapeutic purposes. Many studies have supported the ancient health claims of this spice. Cinnamon is most known to medical experts because of its ability to fight fungal infections, prevent ulcers, treat tooth decay and gum disease, and alleviate gum disease.

Recent studies show that cinnamon can be used as an alternative medicine for heart health. Before stating the connection between heart health and cinnamon, the causes of heart disease should be tackled. The common causes of heart disease are:

     Tobacco smoke Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factor for cardiac death in patients with coronary heart disease. People who smoke cigars or cigarettes have increased risk of acquiring coronary heart ailments.

     High cholesterol levels As one's cholesterol levels rises, so does the risk of heart disease. Age, sex, and diet are some of the factors that determine one's cholesterol level.

     Lack of physical activity Physical inactivity is one of the the major factors for developing heart disease. Heart disease is characterized by deposits of fatty substance, cholesterol, and other substances that may block the lining of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

     Obesity and excess weight Excess weight increases the work load of the heart and raises the blood pressure and cholesterol level. As this happens, the risk of heart disease heightens.

In addition to this factors, an individual's response to stress can be a contributing factor. Some health specialists have noted the relationship between coronary heart disease and stressful lifestyle. For example, stressed people may start to smoke. Drinking too much alcohol can cause heart failure and eventually lead to stroke. It can contribute to obesity, alcoholism, and accidents.
     

Cinnamon can be used as an alternative to treat heart disease. This spice supports healthy blood sugar levels and also improve cholesterol levels. Cinnamon can reduce diabetes because an active molecule in cinnamon called proanthricyanidin. This molecule functions by activating insulin receptors within the cell, therefore facilitating the cell to use glucose for energy. Therefore lowering glucose and lipid workers. Cholesterol and diabetes are the common risk factors for heart disease.

In addition, cinnamon has antibacterial-inflammatory attribute that can reduce joint and muscle pain, especially the ones associated with arthritis. Many studies show that diabetics should take daily dose cinnamon may regulate blood sugar levels. Cinnamon can also benefit one's health by improving the body's circulation. It also improves the digestive system and relieve many stomach discomforts. Studies add that a daily dose of cinnamon may relieve pains associated with their menstrual cycle.

While cinnamon can give many health benefits and improve overall well-being. The best options are taking cinnamon supplements or eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon than what individuals normally eat. Lastly, advice of medical specialists should be considered before trying cinnamon supplements and other forms of alternative medicine. Because side effects and interaction with other drugs may take place.

 

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Circadian rhythm disorders quality sleep and overall health

Circadian Rhythm Disorders, Quality Sleep, and Overall Health

The article is about the importance of sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders (CRD). This disorder may lessen one's quality of sleep and hamper the production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters. In addition to these ill-effects, such disruptions in one's circadian rhythms may cause an increase in one's blood pressure and cause many physical damage.

fatigue, insomnia, treatment

Adequate sleep is essential to one's overall health. The body needs sleep to rest both the mind and body and restore energy. Sleep is also the time where the body repairs itselfthrough sleep, the cells and tissues that has been damaged repairs it self. In addition to these health benefits, the body boosts and builds up the immune system through sleep. The immune system may experience breakdown and result to different ailments that would require medication and extended recovery times. Medical studies show that sleep seems to help recharge the immune system. However, there are many factors that may hinder individuals to have adequate sleep and therefore further hamper health developments. Disruptions on one's circadian rhythm is one factor that may hinder quality of sleep.      

Circadian Rhythm Disorders (CRD) are disruptions in a person's circadian rhythma name given to the human body's internal body clock. This body clock regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in animals and plants. The circadian clock in humans is located in the brain and are significant in determining one's sleeping patterns. Disruptions of the circadian rhythm may result in getting poor and insufficient sleep. One disruption in natural sleep conditions is night work or non-standard shifts. Working in the evening require a delay in the body's sleeping time of as much as three to 12 hours. Because the human body is programmed to sleep at night, changing one's sleeping time will not automatically produce a change in body temperature or other functions needed like body coordination and immune responses.

Another factor that may disrupt sleep and hamper one's sleeping patterns is a condition called jet lag. It a condition that is marked by fatigue, insomnia, and irritability that is caused by changing time zones when traveling by air. When travelers pass from one time zone to another, they may suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms. This may cause the traveler's circadian clock to be mixed up with a new external environment. People who experience jet lag may have difficulties in maintaining their regular sleep-awake pattern in their new location. This happens because external stimuli like sunlight and location programs and dictates a new pattern.

Although generally linked to sleep pattern of human beings, the circadian rhythm also has a direct influence on one's blood pressure, and the body's production of hormones and neurotransmitters. It works together with these internal factors to tell the body of several things like sleeping time and wake up time. These factors is warning that such disruptions in one's circadian rhythms should never be taken for granted.

Because modern technology and medicine CRD can be treated based on the kind of disorder that is present. Treatments vary depending on the demands of lifestyles of certain individuals. Therapies are usually combined with sleep hygiene techniques to promote proper sleep from CRD. Chronotherapy and bright light therapy are two methods that are used to treat this disorder. Chronotherapy is a behavioral technique where one's bedtime is gradually and systematically adjusted until a specific bedtime is achieved. Bright light therapy on the other hand is designed to reset an individual's circadian rhythm to a desired pattern. When properly utilized, these therapies may produce essential results in eliminating CRD and improve one's quality of sleep.

 

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