In the top hundred zone foods, Dr. Sears reports a study that shows cinnamon more than triples insulin activity. Why Is Increased Insulin Activity Good? Does that mean we would need to produce less? If so, why is this good? The ORAC for cinnamon is high. I don't use the oil, I put some sticks in my coffee grinder and then mix cocoa and the fresh grinded cinnamon together in a drip coffee maker and make some to drink with splenda for extra sweet taste. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) Foods sorted by ORAC result / 100 g Clove oil (Syzigium aromaticum) 10,786,875 Vit C (1.89 Orac units / mg) 189,000 Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris) 159,590 Oregano oil (Origanum compactum) 153,007 Vit E (1.35 Orac units / IU / mg) 135,000 Mountain Savory oil (Satureja montana) 113,071 Cinnamon Bark oil (Cinnamamum verum) 103,448 http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au/OracLevels.htm

For example; If diabetics use cinnamon, many report that they have better luck controlling blood sugar levels. The same can be applied to normal zoners, considering that is what our fight is really all about!

[quote:dbc986df03="calvin_johns"]In the top hundred zone foods, Dr. Sears reports a study that shows cinnamon more than triples insulin activity. Why Is Increased Insulin Activity Good? Does that mean we would need to produce less? If so, why is this good?[/quote:dbc986df03] On page 238 of T 100ZF, in the section about cinnamon, Dr. Sears writes that it has been found that "....certain spices actually stimulate the efficiency of insulin, so you require less of the hormone to process sugar.". He goes on to list some spices that double and triple the efficiency of insulin, and ends that sentence stating "...cinnamon is the most potent of all.", which I understand to mean cinnamon more than triples the efficiency of insulin. Yes, IMHO he is essentially saying it lessens the need for insulin production. It is good because the in the Zone one is trying to maintain lower insulin levels. The definition of the Zone is an insulin level of 5 to 10 on the fasting insulin blood test. Sue

I have read that fish oil can increase blood sugar for Type 2 Diabetics and pre diabetics.. Does anyone know about this? My fasting glucose is 111 (recommended range is 65-110). My insulin is 4.0 (below the recommended range of 5 - 10). My hemogloben ALC is 6.2 (recommended range is 4.4-5.9).. My doctor says I am prediabetic and put me on Glucophage. I eat a balanced Zone diet which includes fish and/oir fish oil several times a week. I am wondering if this is a contraindicated in my case. Here are comments refering to fish oil/diabetic the study: --------- "Some recent trials suggest that fish oil could actually worsen diabetic control. In one study, the use of purified EPA and DHA (fatty acids found in fish oil) by diabetic patients was evaluated. Participants took high doses (4 grams per day for a six-week period) of EPA, DHA or olive oil in addition to their regular diets. It was found that, compared with the olive oil, the EPA and DHA increased the blood sugar in diabetics. Interestingly, the insulin levels were not increased. The researchers speculate that the EPA causes the liver to break it down and actually increase its production of glucose in the process. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2002 Vol. 76, No. 5, 1007-1015 -------- I would appreciate alll feedback.

Note: Cinnamon allergy Hi all, A few years ago I had a patch test for skin allergies at the dermatologist. I tested high for an allergy to cinnamic aldehyde, which is in cinnamon as well as tea rose oil, patchouli oil and some other items. Turns out this is not uncommon, people just don't realize it or associate it with symptoms. This aldehyde (if you are allergic) will somehow build up in your system, and when you reach your limit, any more will send you into anaphylactic shock (Bad News!!!) So... if you notice any weird symptoms (for me it will be an itchy mouth, sores or pain in the mouth or skin affected) please have this checked out by a doctor. It can be done with a simple patch test, and may be worth it. (This explained to me, of course after the fact, my reactions to Cinnabon rolls [itchy mouth] and Ice Breakers Hot Cinnamon gum [more than 2 pieces in a day caused mouth sores]. My dermatologist thought I was an idiot for not noticing it, but I just avoided these things.) Different types of cinnamon have different levels of the aldehyde, which may explain my more strong reaction to Cinnabon rolls (which I have never eaten since, pre-zone or on zone!) and that particular gum, when I didn't react to my mother's cinnamon rolls or Big Red. Just something to keep in mind if you are a cinnamon lover! (I now get my fix with scented candles. ) :D Ronica