say yes to cinnamon!

Cinnamon is known to help support healthy blood sugar levels, even in people who already have type II diabetes. In fact, supplement companies have now been adding it to vitamins that help balance blood sugar. A new study shows that cinnamon helps lower blood pressure in people who have hypertension (high blood pressure). That's one more reason why cinnamon, a cheap and tasty spice, should be added to your daily routine.

A nice way to incorporate cinnamon into your day would be to add a few teaspoons of cinnamon to a bowl of oats each morning. Oats help lower cholesterol, calm the nervous system, and have a good amount of fiber to keep your bowels healthy and moving. Throw in some nuts and goji berries (or fresh berries in Summer), and you have an amazingly potent energy-boosting breakfast.

sleep deprivation & blood pressure

I am a big fan of sleep; it gives the body a chance to rest and recharge for the following day's work. I have already written about how sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and prevent weight loss. A new study shows that inadequate sleep is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure (hypertension) as well. Hypertension. 2006 May;47(5): 833-9. People between the ages of 32 and 59 who had five or fewer hours of sleep a night had a significantly increased risk for developing high blood pressure. This risk remained elevated even after controlling for variables like depression, alcohol consumption, obesity and diabetes. So do your body & mind a favor and try to get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep every night!