Did you know Cinnamon is a useful and natural spice that can help you manage and treat PCOS?
One of the common attributes of PCOS is insulin resistance with up to 65-70% of people with PCOS also having insulin resistance (Fertility and Sterility. 2012 jan:97(1):18-22).
It may be a logical conclusion then to regulate insulin to assist with some of the symptoms.
In recent years, there have been a few studies on the effects of cinnamon on not only PCOS, but also metabolic disorders.
According to the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (Vol 4, Issue 3, May 2010), Human studies showed beneficial effects of whole cinnamon and/or aqueous extracts of cinnamon on glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity, lipids, antioxidant status, blood pressure, lean body mass and gastric emptying.
The Chinese name for cinnamon is Gui Zhi, and is used extensively both as food and medicine. The nature of Gui Zhi is warm, and drives out cold stagnation in the body, allowing the Yang to circulate.
As we have said before, PCOS is a condition of stagnation, and what better way than to activate the stagnation through a common kitchen spice.
The Chinese medicine formula “Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan”, of which cinnamon is a leading ingredient, is a well known and commonly used formula for treating multiple gynaecological diseases including cysts, blood clots and stasis and to dissipate phlegm.
Recently it has been noted for its ability to regulate insulin and to reduce inflammation, and thus is commonly used in PCOS clients.
According to “Frontiers in Endocrinology” (August 2020, Volume 11; article 575) PCOS found excess androgen production, as well as dysbiosis of gut microbiota. It is observed that gut dysbiosis is commonly seen in people with insulin resistance.
The study also found that Gui Zhi Fu Ling wan was able to regulate the gut microbiota, thus alleviating inflammation and improving blood sugar levels.
Spice it up:
- Spice up your coffee with a sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg to form a warming pick me up, or for non-coffee drinkers in you hot chocolate.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top of your porridge
