Sitting Has Become The New Smoking

In the May 25, 2013 edition of the Los Angeles Times, Anup Kanodia, a physician and researcher at the Center for Personalized Health Care at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center said, “Sitting is the new smoking”. He cited an Australian study published in October 2012 in The British Journal of Sports Medicine that compared sitting and smoking. According to the study, every hour of TV that people watch, presumably sitting, cuts about 22 minutes from their lifespan, while it is estimated that smokers shorten their lives by 11 minutes per cigarette. (Please don’t use this as support for trading bad habits!)

This information is important for all of us to take to heart, in that frequent micro-breaks, i.e. getting up and moving around is essential for not only burning those five slices of CiCi’s or Amici’s pizza you consumed during lunch, but also to enable those neck and hip flexors to lengthen out of their prolonged contracted states (see previous articles on Upper and Lower Cross Syndromes). One reason that extended periods of uninterrupted sitting are bad for the lower back is that progressive tears can develop within the discs that are situated between the lumbar (predominantly) vertebrae. Once the pain reaches the chronic stage, a cascading, undesirable ability to perform the necessary activities of daily living becomes sadly apparent. Then, not only does it become difficult to impossible to walk or exercise, but the preferred assumed position then becomes lying down or walking like a descendant of Groucho Marx. Now, with being horizontal, muscle tone diminishes by as much as 30% in just 10 days! So, the importance of movement cannot be over emphasized. My clinical observation over 30 plus years has manifested a fairly consistent finding; a patient in pain presents on a Monday morning and inevitably wants to know ALL the exercises to do N O W while the symptoms are at their peak, having forgotten (or ignored) all that they should have been doing all along in order to PREVENT their current dilemma! Unfortunately, this is the time for crisis or acute care, not preventative. Thus, prolonged sitting, or inactivity, leads to reduced aerobic activity, progressive pain expression and not unsurprisingly, time on the DL (disabled list) for necessary or just recreational activities; unfortunately, unlike pro athletes who get paid regardless of whether they play, you most likely will not and will have to suffer through the recuperation process!
With the holiday season quickly approaching, NOW is the time to start moving during your work day. NOW is the time to become intentional. NOW is the time to show your concern for your loved ones by taking an active, participating role in your health! Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving.

Disclaimer
This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness using the information in this site should come under the direction of a trained medical practitioner. We accept no responsibility for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site or related internet links. By using the information in this web site you are confirming that you understand this statement and that you accept all risk and responsibility.
All matters regarding your health should be supervised by your health care provider. All information provided in this site is for the purpose of education, not treatment.

Stop Starch-Induced Glucose Surges

Having been brought up in a family that seemingly experienced as much pasta and Italian bread passing through our oral cavities as simple air, it should be of no surprise that a majority of my relatives (women included) might have made the short list for the Falcon’s front line. Amazingly, many of these “stout” loved ones lived well into their 90’s….after experiencing one or two coronary incidents which usually led to some behavior modifying diet and other positive lifestyle changes.
While I am in favor of portion control as I gain in years, (yes, it is tough!), we all go through those periods when it seems like meals are the constant “go to” plan when gathering with friends. Who am I kidding? It’s always been the “go to” plan! I am trying to consume one-two glasses of water before I go into attack mode; this does cut the calorie volume a good bit if I can ignore the bread and olive oil! Increased blood sugar has become extremely epidemic in our society and children are often victims way too early! When I came upon this article, I felt that it was well worth sharing. The supplement that is highlighted in the article may help those whose discipline is not quite as strong as it needs to be. Our diet and exercise routines do not need to be complicated, but they can evolve to that stage if we allow ourselves to reach a crisis state. Some wise person once said, “eat to live, don’t live to eat.” I’m willing to bet that the person was not Italian!


Click the following link to read this month's article:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2013/jul2013_Stop-Starch-Induced-Glucose-Surges_01.htm?source=search&key=Stop%20StarchInduced%20Glucose%20Surges








 

Disclaimer:
This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness using the information in this site should come under the direction of a trained medical practitioner. We accept no responsibility for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site or related internet links. By using the information in this web site you are confirming that you understand this statement and that you accept all risk and responsibility.
All matters regarding your health should be supervised by your health care provider. All information provided in this site is for the purpose of education, not treatment.

Let's Take It To The Mattresses!

So, for those who have been blessed (or cursed) with being an Italian descendant, or, having been brought up in one of our nation’s more colorful, northern cities, or, even just remember the 70’s movie, The Godfather, will be familiar with the title of this article. While my direct intent is not to invoke a heated discussion or battle, regarding the vicissitudes of contemporary living, I am going to try to offer some insight to a frequently posed topic, “What kind of bed should I buy?” If you are not careful, a sales person could make you an expensive offer that you should refuse!

Mattresses used to be made out of cotton padding and springs. Now, you can be inundated with commercials that promote the(ir) “best” choices of air, memory foam, latex, water, etc. that often lead to a soon to follow “buyer’s remorse”, especially considering that sleep issues have, for collective reasons, reached an epidemic level.

The mattress of today is comprised of two basic parts:

·        The foundation, which is most often a box spring (made of a wooden frame with springs and covered by a thin cotton or synthetic covering), a dense foam platform or the more expensive (and my preference) adjustable frame (think hospital bed).

·        The top mattress, which has a support layer under a comfort layer. The idea is to have a softness for hip and shoulder contact points, with enough support to not sag too deeply. Two-sided mattresses are now evolving to single sided ones that eliminate the need to flip (anyone ever tried flipping a king sized one on high bed frame with an eight foot ceiling?). The problem is that you now only have one side to wear and I have not read any valid or convincing studies to suggest that they have a more promising longevity.

Federal regulations have also required that all mattresses contain a fire retardant that extinguishes the flames in the event that an incident were to develop, which has created a valid question as to the safety when considering the toxicity of the everyday fumes with the “off-gassing” of the bedding containing polyurethane foam or applied sprays that contain PCB’s like asbestos or boric acid. In all fairness, there are other furnishings in the home that have similar chemical concerns as well, however, the eight or so consecutive hours of close proximity make the bed a more important player, especially with individuals who may be hypersensitive. Mattresses should also wear slowly and evenly. I could not even guess at the number of times that I have heard of patients complaining of their mattresses sagging after only 2-4 years. Is it because of inferior quality materials i.e. the metal in the springs being thinner and of less stronger, cheaper metals, or is it because we have become a very overweight society? Probably both in my opinion, but, I know of circumstances where the husband and wife are 150 and 110 pounds respectively and their bed looks like waves along the Jersey shore! Warrantees have deteriorated to the point where, because of replacement cost, necessary replacement is delayed much too long.

So, what kind of bedding would I recommend (for a couple)?

·        A king sized independently dual sided adjustable frame. (Maybe even throw in a vibrating component).

·        Two over-sized twin, dual-sided mattresses that reveal all the materials used to make them. I would prefer the firmest mattress available and put a down or other safe hypoallergenic “topper” widely advertised on the internet or box stores to provide the softness desired.

Why this choice? First, a narrower bed will break down slower because there is not as much real estate. Second, the flip factor is easier, making for less visits to you know who because of incidental strain! Third, the bed frame can approach the “zero-gravity” chairs that are advertised and allow for better posture for reading or watching television in bed. Now, the bed frame may be a costly perk, but, you will save money on the firm mattresses, as the extra padding generally is what jumps the price up. Sleep is a vital part of our healthy existence, along with smart exercise and proper nutrition. Your choice for the best alternative could make the difference in how well you or your family performs in work, school or activities.  So, get looking at your bedding now so that you won’t feel like you have been sleeping with the fishes!

Interval or “Short Burst” Training

So, for those who know me, you are overwhelmingly aware that I am one of those weird ducks that actually ENJOYED distance running. For over 40 years I would take to the trails, roads or beach for 30-90 minute interludes. I enjoyed the sweat, calorie burn and conditioning, not to mention that it would afford me the ability to eat whatever my heart desired, without gaining weight...which in my more youthful days was actually annoying as I hated being skinny! Wow, what a difference a decade makes! Now, I follow a regimen that is fairly healthy during the week, and then cheat (sometimes REALLY cheat) on the weekends. Yes, about twice a year, one might be very surprised to see even me at a Varsity restaurant!

But as for my exercising routine, I have made some drastic changes since I’m not as durable as I once could claim. I started doing P90X a few years ago, and enjoyed the results. Then, I tried INSANITY and ended up getting an epidural steroid injection! There was a bit too much plyometrics for my liking. Then, I started reading articles like the one below and my personal paradigm of exercise shifted dramatically!  (I planned on penning my own personal article, but thought that Ms. Schwager did a very nice job in communicating my heart on the subject).  Not only is my workout time shorter, but I don’t feel like I’m beating myself up! Don’t get me wrong, the burst training, if done correctly, will wear your bottom out!! I do a combination of spinning, jumping jacks, squats, push-ups and rope skipping, HARD, for 20 second intervals, followed by a 20 second rest, for 8 sets, using a TABATA-LITE AP on my phone as a timer (as you will see in the article below, there can be variations in the routine). Then, I will follow up with a yoga stretch routine. This has worked for me the past two years.  As with any exercise routine, however, you want to be given a green light by your doctor and begin easily, i.e. not as many repetitions in a set, or as many sets. Ultimately, I want to encourage people to exercise for better endurance, flexibility, and weight loss, as well as the added benefit of endorphin (happy hormone) release. In my line of work as a pre-mortem body mechanic (think about that), I cannot stress enough the need to have some semblance of regular exercise activity (including EACH of flexibility, endurance and strengthening) so that visits to me are at a minimum. May your day be greatly blessed!  

 

Short-Burst Training

by Tina Schwager

Ex Rx: High-intensity, short-duration interval workouts are a new frontier in fitness and sports training.

When you’re a sports fan, it doesn’t matter if you prefer the NBA, figure skating or the Olympics—you’re sure to admire the performances of athletes who work inconceivably hard to achieve greatness. It’s practically impossible to watch without feeling compelled to hit the gym and try some new training method, hoping to achieve your own gold-medal performance. So what’s the latest buzz in the training room?

It’s short-burst training (SBT), a variation of circuit training. SBT uses a series of high-intensity, short-duration exercises interspersed with brief periods of lower-intensity movement (www.exercisegoals.com). Clients go all-out for intervals of 30–60 seconds (depending on the intensity level and the equipment/apparatus used for training) before entering the recovery phase. This pattern repeats throughout the workout. The intent is to utilize the anaerobic energy system, long thought to be the exclusive realm of sprinters and court athletes whose movements are too brief and powerful to engage the oxygen pathways of the cardiovascular system (Smith 2002). During short-burst exercise, the body produces metabolic byproducts (hydrogen ions) that have been identified as the cause of acidosis (“the burn”). The cardiovascular exercise following the short burst of anaerobic exercise helps to neutralize or buffer this acidosis. The primary fuel used is carbohydrate (Smith 2002), with stored fat kicking in later.

By contrast, traditional endurance training keeps the body moving longer at more moderate intensity levels, with the aerobic system maintaining function. The primary energy sources are carbohydrate and fat (Smith 2002). There is abundant research verifying the physiological adaptations attributed to endurance training, especially improved exercise capacity—the body’s ability to “sustain a given sub-maximal workload for a longer period of time” (Gibala et al. 2006). For many exercisers, the rewards include improved cardiovascular function; decreased incidence of diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension; weight loss; and reduction of body fat. And those training for competitive sports count on aerobic training to gain needed stamina.

Fat Burning

In old-school thinking, accessing fat both stored and free-floating in the bloodstream required endurance-type “aerobic” training. Aerobic means “with oxygen,” and the physiological pathway initiated in the presence of oxygen utilizes fat for fuel, making it the superior choice. But recent research opens the door for a new theory—that high-intensity training is even more effective. One such study compared the effect of a 20-week endurance-training program with that of a 15-week high-intensity program in terms of body fat loss and muscle metabolism.

Researchers found a larger reduction in subcutaneous fat in the high-intensity group, despite noting that the total energy cost between the two groups indicated higher caloric expenditure for the endurance group. Furthermore, “when corrected for the energy cost . . . the reduction induced by the high-intensity program was nine-fold greater than the endurance program” (Smith 2002).

Another study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, measured skeletal muscle fuel content, fatty-acid transport proteins, and hormonal and other responses in women after a 2-week SBT program. Results indicated that “seven sessions of SBT over 2 weeks induced marked increases in whole body and skeletal muscle capacity for fatty acid oxidation during exercise in moderately active women” (Talanian 2006).

Traditional aerobic training is also praised for improving the body’s efficiency at burning stored fat once activity ceases, a phenomenon termed excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC. But more and more studies are showing that the EPOC created by high-intensity training induces a response that renders the body even more efficient at burning fuel. For example, a 1996 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise comparing endurance- and interval-trained subjects showed that “the interval group burned more fat during exercise . . . [and] exhibited increased fat burning effects that persisted for 24 hours after the exercise had stopped” (Treuth, Hunter & Williams 1996).

In a 2001 study, researchers compared two groups, one exercising aerobically and the other using interval training. Both groups burned exactly 300 calories, but despite exercising longer, “the aerobic group lost less body fat” (King et al. 2001).

[Editor’s Note: See this month’s Making News column for more on post-exercise fat metabolism.]

Endurance Benefits

Training in the “target zone” (65%–85% of one’s maximum heart rate) for an extended duration (20 minutes minimum) at least 3–5 times a week is an age-old exercise formula. However, that formula was challenged in 1995, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) convened to re-evaluate physical activity recommendations for the general public. The panel determined that “every U.S. adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity” almost every day (Pate et al. 1995). This opened the door for beginners to add small increments of activity to their day and still improve their fitness levels. In line with this physical activity model, data now being accumulated with regard to short-burst training definitely support shorter bouts of intermittent activity.

Then there is a 2005 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. The subjects, who were not athletes, did a 2-week SBT program and were then retested. The result? Their endurance level, a direct measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, had actually doubled (Burgomaster et al. 2005).

Time Efficiency

In today’s world, time is precious. So if something can be accomplished faster, who wouldn’t do it? Traditional training is long, slow and time-consuming. SBT is not only effective, but markedly so in a significantly shorter period of time. Numerous studies demonstrate that, in terms of body fat, weight loss and fitness-related gains, subjects performing SBT for minimal time periods achieved more than endurance-trained subjects despite the overall training time being much less.

In a study by Gibala et al. (2006), six sessions of high-intensity, low-volume interval training and six of high-volume endurance training were compared for their effect on “muscle oxidative capacity, muscle buffering capacity and exercise performance.” Between the two groups, researchers noted significant differences in both training volume (approximately 90% less for the interval group) and time commitment (around 2.5 hours with intervals versus 10.5 hours with endurance training over 2 weeks), yet the resulting physiological changes were similar. While the authors cautioned that further research was needed, their findings suggest that “SBT is a time-efficient strategy to induce rapid adaptations in skeletal muscle and exercise performance” (Gibala 2006).

Another study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, showed interval-trained groups achieving significant improvements in EPOC and calorie/ fat burning during exercise. And these benefits were achieved with an “exercise session that was a full 15 minutes shorter than the aerobic group” (Treuth, Hunter & Williams 1996).

The Ramifications

With so much evidence favoring short-burst training, should we hang up our indoor cycling gear and list our stair-climbing machines on eBay? Not so fast. SBT has its perks, but the benefits of traditional training cannot be denied. Some people actually seek the solace and rhythm of long, slow, distance training—e.g., an hour long aerobics class, precious reading time on the treadmill, an extended Sunday morning hill run. Studies may suggest that SBT gives superior results, but it’s all a matter of time: SBT garners much quicker results from significantly shorter training sessions, while traditional training effects take longer to achieve. Bottom line—are your clients in a hurry?

If you’re looking for a quick fix, athleticism or better competitive sports performance, SBT is a good choice. But if you’re training for a cross-country ski trip or long-distance bike race, traditional endurance training is still needed. As one researcher states, “The present data should not be interpreted to suggest that SBT is necessarily adequate for prolonged endurance type activities” (Gibala 2006). On the flip side, however, Mark Smith, PhD, an applied physiologist and the program director for X-iser Industries, in Southlake, Texas, reminds us that high-caliber endurance athletes do not train by distance alone: “Looking at elite endurance athletes like marathoners, people don’t realize that 50%, and sometimes as much as 75%, of their training is actually high-intensity intervals.”

What about exercise difficulty? As trainers, our job is motivating and educating our clientele, and they’ll usually work hard for their results. But there’s a fine line between time efficiency and movement quality. If a training technique is performed incorrectly or is so high in intensity that a person can’t keep up, results won’t come and injury potential will increase. Exercise science professor Stuart Biddle, PhD, of Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England, notes, “You have to strike a compromise between physiology and psychology. The harder you make it, the fewer people will actually do it” (BBC News 2006).

Smith disagrees: “When exercise clients are in control of their intensity, they tend to be self-limiting. A minute is the magic number for a human to go all-out. I tell clients, ‘Give me a good honest effort. If you need to stop short of our goal in terms of time, it’s okay.’’ With SBT, the higher the intensity is, the shorter the duration and the longer the recovery periods between intervals. So, in essence, the danger of injury from overuse may decrease compared with what can happen with continuous, repetitive exercises.

Getting in shape is a journey, not a destination. And the best journeys are ever-changing. Recreational exercisers should strive to achieve not only sleeker thighs, but also a long-term love of movement and activity, regardless of its form. The beauty of fitness and sports training is that there is no one “right way” to train. Keeping the workouts fresh leads to a constant renewal of your clients’ commitment to good health and well-being. And that, above all, is the key to success.

SIDEBAR: Incorporating Short-Burst Training

The easiest way to incorporate SBT into program design is to gradually replace the lengthy cardio session with short 60-second burst intervals. Between these high-intensity, short- duration bouts, perform the strengthening, therapeutic, stretching and muscle-balancing exercises you are currently doing (these become “corrective” or recovery exercises) for a 4-minute recovery. Here is an example:

·         brief warm-up

·         60-second bout of SBT on the treadmill (use an incline as needed to achieve maximum intensity), on the stationary bike or doing whole-body exercises (squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, etc.)

·         4-minute recovery (doing corrective exercises such as stretching, weight machines, dumbbells or other muscle isolation exercises)

·         two 30-second bouts of SBT on a stationary bike, with a 30-second recovery between bouts

Repeat the full routine until a total of 4–6 minutes of burst training has been done.

When it comes to intensity, perceived exertion is the best guideline. Clients will limit themselves and push only as hard as they are comfortable pushing. When cued to do their best, they will give their own maximal effort in each interval. Therefore, a good rate of perceived exertion to follow is to have participants sustain their chosen intensity, with good form and body control, for the time you select.

When using a treadmill, burst intervals should be lower intensity and longer duration, to maintain safety. On a stationary bike or when doing full-body activities such as lunges, squats or core work, the intensity can be pushed much higher, making for a shorter interval. As a general rule, with SBT go for quality, not quantity. Intensity is the key ingredient.

SIDEBAR: Health Benefits of Short-Burst Training

Health is a big motivator for people to exercise: clients want to lose weight, counteract a poor family history, maintain healthy functioning or simply follow their doctor’s orders to become more fit.

The science behind SBT shows that it is extremely effective in all these areas (just as traditional training is); plus, it provides benefits that help clients recover from health crises such as cardiac events, pulmonary problems, cancer diagnoses and orthopedic surgery (as always, be sure any special-population clients get a physician’s clearance before working with you).

·         Exercise intensity had a “13.3 times greater effect on systolic blood pressure, a 2.8 times greater effect on diastolic blood pressure, and a 4.7 times greater effect on waist circumference in men” than did exercise duration (Williams 1998).

·         High-density lipoprotein levels (good cholesterol) increased significantly as a result of intermittent—but not continuousexercise (Smith 2002; Williams 1998).

·         SBT is also an effective means of reducing stress and achieving a positive mood state. The phenomenon known as “runner’s high” has previously been attributed to endurance training lasting longer than 1 hour. Beta-endorphins, the chemicals responsible for elevated mood states, were found to increase at statistically significant levels following “incremental graded and short term anaerobic exercise, the extent correlating with the lactate concentration.” (Smith 2002; Williams 1998).

·         A 2007 study published in Circulation assessed the effectiveness of high-intensity training on patients who had suffered from heart failure. The results indicated that exercise intensity was “an important factor for reversing LV [left ventricular] remodeling, improving aerobic capacity, . . . and quality of life in patients with postinfarction heart failure.” The ramifications of this “suggest that training programs based on these principles may yield more favorable results than those with low to moderate exercise intensities” (Wisløff et al. 2007).

• References

BBC News. 2006. Walking “not enough to get fit.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5371116.stm; retrieved Jan. 21, 2009.

Burgomaster, K.A., et al. 2005. Six sessions of sprint interval training increases muscle oxidative potential and cycle endurance capacity in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 98, 1985–90.

Gibala, M.J., et al. 2006. Short-term sprint interval versus traditional endurance training: Similar initial adaptations in human skeletal muscle and exercise performance. Journal of Physiology, 575 (3), 901–11.

King, J., et al. 2001. A comparison of high-intensity vs. low-intensity exercise on body composition in overweight women. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33 (5, Suppl. 1), S228.

Pate, R.R., et al. 1995. Physical activity and public health: A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 273 (5), 402–407.

Smith, M.J. 2002. Sports conditioning—a comparison: Moderate-intensity continuous activity and high-intensity intermittent activity. www.xiser.com; retrieved Jan. 21, 2009.

Talanian, J., et al. 2006. Two weeks of high-intensity aerobic interval training increases the capacity for fat oxidation during exercise in women. Journal of Applied Physiology, 102, 1439–47.

Treuth, M.S., Hunter, G.R., & Williams, M. 1996. Effects of exercise intensity on 24-h energy expenditure and substrate oxidation. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 28 (9), 1138–43.

Williams, P.T. 1998. Relationships of heart disease risk factors to exercise quantity and intensity. Archives of Internal Medicine, 158 (3), 237–45.

Wisløff, U., et al. 2007. Superior cardiovascular effect of aerobic interval training versus moderate continuous training in heart failure patients: A randomized study. Circulation, 115, 3068–94.

Disclaimer

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness using the information in this site should come under the direction of a trained medical practitioner. We accept no responsibility for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site or related internet links. By using the information in this web site you are confirming that you understand this statement and that you accept all risk and responsibility.

All matters regarding your health should be supervised by your health care provider. All information provided in this site is for the purpose of education, not treatment.

A Must Read: Cinnamon and Honey!

I recently came across this article in an old e-mail that was sent to me some time ago and thought that it was well worth sharing. This information should not be taken as an encouragement to stop any “traditional” medications that your doctor has prescribed for your condition(s), but rather as a help to enable you to make better informed choices regarding your health. In many situations, homeopathic remedies can be taken along with the meds that you are already on. However, there are situations where you should not! A website, Iguard.org, provides some background on the mixing of specific drugs and herbs, but, I cannot endorse them as being totally infallible. Again, always have a healthy dialog with your primary care doctor or specialist before engaging in any alternative homeopathic remedies and try to discern whether their opinion is based on scientific, and, or clinical experience and not just outright prejudice. The honey that is worth the effort is NOT the processed kind, but the raw, unpasteurized type.

Drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

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