This spice may help protect you from serious COVID-19 complications, study finds.

07/23/2020 Entertainment, Health, Science


In the past few months, a lot of research has identified things that can prepare you for an increased risk of experiencing serious complications from COVID-19, including diabetes, obesity, high blood sugar levels, and a weakened immune system. However, new research is shedding light on a simple, practical, and even tasty step you can take to potentially reduce these risks: eating more cinnamon.



a close-up of many different types of food on a table: spices

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Spices

In the past, studies have shown that the spice contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the risk of heart disease. But now, a new study published in the Endocrine Society Magazine It shows that eating cinnamon every day can improve blood sugar control and slow progress to type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. (Related: 10 Health Benefits Backed By The Science Of Cinnamon).

An estimated 90 million people in the United States have prediabetes, and most don’t know it, a frightening statistic considering that diabetes significantly exacerbates complications of COVID-19 disease. Prediabetes, the precursor to type 2 diabetes, is characterized by blood sugar levels of 5.7% to 6.4% for two to three months, as determined by a hemoglobin A1C blood test.

In the study by South Korean and German researchers, 51 people with prediabetes received a cinnamon supplement of 500 mg or placebo three times a day for 12 weeks and had blood tests. The researchers found that cinnamon reduced abnormal fasting glucose levels (a marker of diabetes) and improved the body’s ability to properly process a carbohydrate meal.

Since people with high blood sugar levels tend to have much higher rates of serious complications and death from COVID-19 than people without diabetes, researchers believe that making dietary changes to lower blood sugar levels in the blood could provide a protective benefit.

Also, cinnamon is a fairly easy remedy to swallow. In addition to taking cinnamon supplement pills, you can sprinkle the delicious spice into your ground coffee before brewing it, shake it over cereal, yogurt, or fruit, or turn it into recipes for overnight oatmeal, sweet potato salad, and even lava cake (mmm…)

For more information, check out this other new research that suggests this vegetable may also help prevent serious symptoms of COVID-19.

Gallery: 9 warning signs that you’re gluten intolerant (eat this, not that!)

9 warning signs that you are gluten intolerant

When you feel physically sick for months or even years at a time, it makes sense to observe your diet, especially when you have ruled out other reasons. You eat every day of your life: if something in your diet cannot be properly digested or you have an undiagnosed food allergy, continuing to consume that trigger could cause chronic illness. One of the first ways to determine if there’s a problem with your diet is to check to see if your health issues align with common symptoms of gluten intolerance.

Gluten: It is the food of the western diet that is commonly attributed to all kinds of diseases, from diarrhea to fatigue, joint pain and more. Found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, gluten is a protein that some people cannot digest. Often, the inability to digest gluten is caused by an autoimmune condition called celiac disease, which damages the small intestine. Other people do not have celiac disease but still experience side effects from consuming gluten because they have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).

It can be difficult to diagnose NCGS – there are no specific tests for it, and the symptoms may be similar to other gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. (It is easier to obtain a celiac diagnosis; it is usually detected with a combination of blood tests and intestinal biopsy).

Either way, gluten can wreak havoc on some people’s bodies, but it’s important that you don’t remove it from your diet unless you’re sure you have an intolerance.

“There is no scientific evidence to suggest that avoiding gluten offers health benefits for patients without a diagnosis of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com and author. of The protein-packed breakfast club. “In fact, going gluten-free unnecessarily can lead to nutrient deficiencies.”

If you think you might have a gluten intolerance, here are 9 common warning signs to watch out for. Just remember to talk to your doctor about your concerns before you don’t consume gluten to make sure you evaluate your diet correctly. If you are ready to take the next step, you will need our guide: What is a gluten-free diet? This is what RDs want you to know.

1. Digestive distress

Stomach upset can take many different forms for the gluten intolerant, from nausea and vomiting to constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. According to Pincus, digestive problems are symptoms of gluten intolerance that are more common in children with celiac disease. Adults, on the other hand, are less likely to experience gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and are more likely to experience a number of other non-intestinal related gluten intolerance symptoms (more about the following).

Still, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that up to 80% of celiac sufferers report abdominal pain and bloating, 44% report nausea and vomiting, up to 80% report diarrhea, and nearly 40% report constipation. If you have chronic digestive problems, it makes sense to talk to your doctor about diagnosing the source.

2. Headaches

You might be wondering how a digestive problem could cause headaches or even migraines, but it is entirely possible if you are gluten intolerant or allergic.

“There are more than 200 known celiac symptoms that could appear in the digestive system or other parts of the body,” says Pincus. “Some people may not have symptoms of gluten intolerance, but they are still at risk for long-term complications.”

Migraines are sometimes an early warning sign of celiac disease, but people with NCGS can also experience severe headaches or migraines. A 2013 study published in the journal. Headache They found that 30% of people with celiac disease and 56% of people with gluten sensitivity reported experiencing chronic headaches or migraines.

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3. anemia

The inability to digest gluten can inhibit the absorption of iron by your body and make it deficient or anemic. This can sometimes be the cause of other celiac disease related symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and weakness.

People with NCGS can also see the effects of gluten on their iron levels; in a 2017 case study presented at the Human Nutrition Magazine, a patient who had been anemic for several years was finally able to regulate her iron levels after spending three months changing her diet to control her NCGS symptoms. In addition to reducing the amount of gluten in your diet, you can also remedy this problem by loading the best foods rich in iron.

4. Symptoms of malnutrition.

Celiac disease damages the small intestine, which means it can affect your ability to absorb many nutrients. In some cases, these signs of malnutrition may be a clue that you have a chronic illness.

“Unexplained weight loss can often be a sign of celiac disease (not usually NCGS) due to the fact that it is an autoimmune condition that involves malabsorption,” says registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN.

Other symptoms of malnutrition that can be caused by untreated celiac disease include bone loss or weakening and muscle wasting.

5. Joint pain and arthritis.

What does gluten have to do with your joints? Actually, a little: if you have celiac disease, the gluten you eat can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation both inside and outside your intestine.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, this can lead to joint pain, swelling, and worsening arthritis symptoms. In fact, a 2019 study in Perspective Journal of Internal Medicine of the Community Hospital recommends regular rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exams for celiac disease patients, calling them a “high-risk group” after researchers discovered that many had signs of preclinical RA.

6. Reproductive problems

There is still some debate about how closely celiac disease can be related to reproductive problems like infertility, but since abnormal menstruation has been observed in women with celiac disease, there are enough reasons to suspect that it may also contribute to things like unexplained infertility. , recurrent miscarriage and premature births, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Some studies, like this one Human reproductionThey have also explored a possible link between celiac disease and endometriosis, a common cause of infertility in women.

7. Anxiety and depression.

In addition to the stress, anxiety, and depression that can stem from an undiagnosed illness that makes you sick, gluten sensitivity itself can also cause psychological distress. According to a 2012 study published in Psychiatry questionsUp to 22% of people with celiac disease and 57% of people with gluten sensitivity develop psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

8. skin rash

The rashes come in all shapes and sizes, caused by dozens of different medical conditions. But there is a very specific type of rash that often accompanies celiac disease – it’s called dermatitis herpetiformis, or sometimes gluten rash or celiac rash. It is more common in celiac men than women, can occur anywhere on the body and is characterized by blisters or chronic itchy lesions.

It can be difficult to distinguish between a gluten rash and other common skin irritations, but a skin biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. Between 10 and 15% of people with celiac disease have dermatitis herpetiformis.

9. Oral or dental problems

Discolored teeth, frequent mouth ulcers, or enamel defects are oral signs of celiac disease. In some cases, recurring canker sores may even be the only notable symptom of celiac disease, and up to 25% of adults with gluten allergies report having them. You may also notice yellow or brown stains on the teeth or pitting and ridges on the surface of the teeth. Children with celiac disease may be more prone to tooth decay or even late tooth eruption.

Unfortunately, some oral problems, such as enamel thinning, are irreversible, but being gluten-free can often prevent further damage and, in certain cases, improve the condition of the mouth. Before going gluten-free, it may be worth knowing these important diet steps before you do: Does your gluten-free diet fuel other bad habits?

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