How does cinnamon and weight loss work?

How are cinnamon and weight loss related? Well, it has to do with how the body uses insulin, which is a substance (hormone) produced by the body that's needed for the metabolism/use of carbohydrate for energy production. I'll keep it as simple as possible!

Insulin is the hormone that tells the cells in your body to accept glucose (broken down carbohydrate) so that it can be used for energy. It also signals the body to store any fat for later use since there is carbohydrate to hand that is being used for energy.

However, the body can develop a resistance to insulin from poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, toxic build-up and other causes. Cells then resist the insulin, basically becoming jammed or clogged, and can't use the glucose in the blood stream. The level of glucose thus increases in the blood stream and we get the condition of type 2 diabetes.

Hang on, we're getting close to how cinnamon and weight loss works!

What does the body do then? Well, it starts pumping even more insulin into the body in an attempt to lower the glucose that's now piling up in the blood because it's not getting into the cells.

The person starts craving and eating more carbohydrate to try and handle his lack of energy - but because of the insulin resistance, the fuel (glucose) from the carbohydrate hardly gets into his cells. So the vicious cycle continues with more and more insulin being pumped into the body but not being well used.

Remember that insulin also tells the body to store fat instead of use it since there is already fuel from the carbohydrate.

So we get a situation where the body actually can't burn fat for fuel.

Here's the great news about cinnamon and weight loss! Cinnamon helps the body to utilize insulin properly, reducing insulin resistance. So if insulin is effective in the body, then it's not continually shouting "Hey! Don't burn any fat!"

One half teaspoon before each of 3 meals plus one half teaspoon before bedtime is recommended. You can sprinkle it on foods, add it to tea, whatever suits your fancy!

Maybe you've realized while reading this that if you're consuming a lot of carbohydrate (not difficult if you're eating packaged and processed food, fast food and other "junk food") that the more carbohydrate you give your body, the less fat it will use for energy.

So if you're considering using cinnamon and weight loss is the reason, it's vital to understand that cinnamon alone isn't a "magic pill" that will help you lose weight. It may very well help your body to lose weight when you combine it with healthy eating, drinking enough water, a bit of physical activity and enough sleep!

Cheers,
BB

References:
Information on cinnamon and insulin resistance

"Doctor Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" by Richard K. Bernstein M.D.
http://www.diabetes-book.com/

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