Scientists discover cinnamon compounds' potential ability to prevent Alzheimer's

[socialsecurityisAAA]

Source: Phys.org

However, two compounds found in cinnamon –– cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin –– are showing some promise in the effort to fight the disease. According to George and Graves, the compounds have been shown to prevent the development of the filamentous "tangles" found in the brain cells that characterize Alzheimer's. Responsible for the assembly of microtubules in a cell, a protein called tau plays a large role in the structure of the neurons, as well as their function. "The problem with tau in Alzheimer's is that it starts aggregating," said George, a graduate student researcher. When for the protein does not bind properly to the microtubules that form the cell's structure, it has a tendency to clump together, she explained, forming insoluble fibers in the neuron. The older we get the more susceptible we are to these twists and tangles, Alzheimer's patients develop them more often and in larger amounts. The use of cinnamaldehyde, the compound responsible for the bright, sweet smell of cinnamon, has proven effective in preventing the tau knots. By protecting tau from oxidative stress, the compound, an oil, could inhibit the protein's aggregation. To do this, cinnamaldehyde binds to two residues of an amino acid called cysteine on the tau protein. The cysteine residues are vulnerable to modifications, a factor that contributes to the development of Alzheimer's.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-scientists-cinnamon-compounds-potential-ability.html#jCp

Read more: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-scientists-cinnamon-compounds-potential-ability.html

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Wow Cinnamon has been shown to improve sugar levels and diabetic markers, now this. What a wonder food indeed!

[TlalocW]

1. Which kind?

"True" Ceylon Cinnamon or Cassia or both?

I sometimes use cinnamon (cassia - as that's what's most commonly sold as cinnamon in America) in my weight loss shakes to help regulate blood sugar and thus hunger. A friend who was back in America from Sri Lanka (where she went to live for a few years) brought me back some true Ceylon cinnamon sticks which I haven't ground up yet. I broke off a very small bit, and it tasted like Big Red bubble gum.

TlalocW

[socialsecurityisAAA]

3. The active component seems to exists within both forms.

http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X06004041?journalCode=ajcm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamaldehyde

[alfredo]

6. I just read that Cassia has a higher percentage of cinnamaldehyde.

[tblue]

9. Thanks for asking that question.

I was aware that "cinnamon" we usually isn't at all the real thing. But I forgot what the name of the stuff we buy.

[Arugula Latte]

2. I've been trying to get more cinnamon and turmeric into my diet.

Just saw a family member go through dementia -- now that's inspiration to try to prevent it.

I posted this on another thread recently, but it's an easy way to get some good things into your body. Plus, this drink is tasty and a nice substitute for an afternoon cup of coffee.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta's Calming Creamy Turmeric Tea
1 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp ginger
(I also sometimes add a bit of coconut oil which is also being touted as a dementia preventer)

Heat the almond milk in a microwave, stir in the spices and drizzle the honey on top. Enjoy!

[socialsecurityisAAA]

4. Coconut oil is essential to absorb and maintain therapeutic levels of curcumin.

Actually mct's in coconut oil are responsible for this effect. I believe a few extracts with tested potencies and retention times also use turmeric oil.

[Babel_17]

21. I use a brand of Curcumin that is bonded to phosphatidylcholine

"in meriva phytosome curcumins, each curcuminoid molecule is individually complexed with molecules of the vital cell membrane nutrient phosphatidylcholine"

[socialsecurityisAAA]

35. I should have clarified mcts are necessary for absorption

Last edited Sat May 25, 2013, 02:23 AM - Edit history (1)

Of curcumin retention in food. Supplements are different although many use mcts to enhance absorption as well.

[Arugula Latte]

24. Interesting. Thanks for that.

I did not know that. (Johnny Carson voice.)

[tblue]

11. Dang! That sounds delicious!

I have all those ingredients and I'm making that tomorrow morning. Thanks for sharing!

[Arugula Latte]

23. Sure! Happy to share.

Gotta love the Intertubes ... so much info. to be had so easily ...

[flamingdem]

25. What form or brand of cinnamon and tumeric do you use?

commercial? health food store?

thanks so much for the recipe, I was wondering how to get this into my diet.

[Arugula Latte]

26. Well, we have commercial stuff in our spice drawer, so I've used that.

Once that is used up maybe I'll upgrade to a health food store variety.

[Kolesar]

37. I season my daily oatmeal with cinnamon

Oatmeal, raisins and pecans.
It's my cholesterol method and it works.

[Arugula Latte]

42. Lots of good nutrients in that combo.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

46. same here--been wanting good ways to get turmeric

And cinnamon too, after reading this.

Thanks, Arugala!

I put arugula in my green smoothies, by the way. lol.

[Arugula Latte]

48. You're welcome!

I just started trying out some green smoothies ... You can pack a lot of nutrients into a blender, and the fruit taste is what comes through.

[Gore1FL]

5. I wish it gave an amount to take. n/t

[alfredo]

7. BTW, cinnamon coffee is wonderful.

[LeftInTX]

8. Kick

[calimary]

10. Welcome to DU, socialsecurityisAAA!

Glad you're here! It's remarkable what Mother Earth provides, and so simply. Fascinating post - thanks!

[timdog44]

16. I agree.

socialsecurityisAAA is very welcome. Lots of good info from this poster although he/she took a bit of a beating the other day on the vitamin B and dementia thread. There were a few people there that did not show what should be DU courtesy in their discussions. I look forward to more posting from socialsecurityisAAA.

And to you calimary, Mother Earth is a great provider. Too bad we do not take better care of her.

[socialsecurityisAAA]

33. Thanks.

Defending the Vitamin b and dementia post was a task indeed. I'm glad to see this post has been better received.

[calimary]

34. Yeah, that happens sometimes. I posted a couple in GD and Politics 2013 and in many cases

had my head handed to me in the rudest and most insulting fashion. Shit! I thought it was a point worth bringing up - in a way to fight fire with fire (and maybe more than just a little fire), and MAN! I STILL think it was worth discussing - AND putting straight into some of the opposition's faces.

I'm of the LBJ mindset. Go ahead and accuse 'em. Make 'em deny it.

[socialsecurityisAAA]

32. Thank you! Glad to see the post is appreciated.

[socialsecurityisAAA]

36. thanks for saying that.

[burrowowl]

12. Interesting!

[Cobalt Violet]

13. I have a tsp. a day in my oatmeal.

1/4 cup old fashion oats
1/2 cup of water
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/2-1 cup of what ever fruit I have

nuked for 2.5 minutes

then I add about 1/2 cup of almond milk

[blm]

18. Good share, CV.

.

[Arugula Latte]

38. I have a question for you -- How do you prevent oatmeal from bubbling over in the microwave?

Do you just use a very large bowl, or ... ?

[Cobalt Violet]

40. my bowl isn't that big.

It is kind of deep though. I've also made it in a shallow bowl with a wide rim. I haven't had any problems with boiling over.

[Sunlei]

14. mmmmm more cinnamon sugar toast :)

[Ian David]

15. Just put two tablespoons in your mouth every morning. n/t

[AAO]

20. Or just us one full ladel once a month - pop it in and swallow it down!

[Ian David]

22. It's also important to videotape it, and put it on YouTube. n/t

[AAO]

29. To do any less would be quite remiss, wouldn't you agree?

[AAO]

49. And if you don't remember to post it, you either have Alzheimers or you suffocated to death.

[AsahinaKimi]

17. I always put Cinnnamon in my coffee..

Not sure if it helps but it sure tastes better.

[Berlum]

19. Time to make a date with Cinnamon Girl

[AAO]

30. Really appreciated that, Berlum!

[djean111]

27. Please be aware that cinnamon has a blood-thinning effect, and should not be taken in much

quantity if one is on blood thinner medication.
Cassia has higher levels of coumarin (a blood thinner) than real cinnamon.

[PDJane]

28. B vitamins have also been proven to have an effect on alzheimer's

It's one of the things I feed our Agnes. Agnes is 87, and still puttering along.

[Mosby]

31. this is great, "this shot of Fireball is therapeutic, I swear!"

I need to print this article out and keep it handy.

[derby378]

39. Cinnamon donuts for me tonight! (n/t)

[Kablooie]

41. So should I buy a case of Red Hots?

[NoodleyAppendage]

43. Ummm...there's this thing called the "Blood-Brain Barrier"

Not everything you eat (nutrients or otherwise) may be able to diffuse across the BBB. Showing an effect on nerve cells in a petri dish is VERY preliminary and even then doesn't tell one if the nutrient can get to the brain of an intact individual.

If I had a dollar for every Alzheimer's cure announced in the summertime (just before the big international AD conference), I'd be a rich man now.

[Babel_17]

44. I just now remembered that "melange" from "Dune"

was supposed to have a cinnamon like smell. It extended life and sharpened the mind.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melange_%28fictional_drug%29

"In the series, the most essential and valuable commodity in the universe is melange, a geriatric drug that gives the user a longer life span, greater vitality, and heightened awareness;"

"... the smell – bitter cinnamon, unmistakable." Herbert writes repeatedly, starting in Dune (1965), that melange possesses the odor of cinnamon.

In Dune, Lady Jessica notes that her first taste of spice "tasted like cinnamon.""

Lol, how prescient of Herbert.

[Liberal_in_LA]

45. k&r

[BlancheSplanchnik]

47. thanks!!! this is a really interesting post!

I'm inspired to go make myself a little 2am snack!