As I am sure you are well aware that there are other ways to achieve fuller breast without having to go through surgery. The reasons to avoid surgery and enhance your breasts naturally are many. Firstly surgery is costly and in some cases there can be complications.

Secondly there is always the drawback of long recovery times and of course scarring. Another draw back with breast implants is that they can become hard over time and the worst case scenario is the fact that they can rupture. With all that said breast augmentation is the most common form of plastic surgery here in the US.

While natural is always better that does not take away form the fact that there are questions as to the effectiveness of this process. There are lots of products out there that tout successful results. So how can you go about separating the wheat from the chaff?

Firstly the key to any supplement that claims to improve your breasts naturally is the ingredients. The core question you need to ask before buying anything is this. Are there any clinical studies associated with these supplements and secondly are they included in the FDA’s Gras list. Gras means generally regarded as safe.

That leads me to the next point which is this; you should always speak to a real human being before you order anything. Thirdly you need some form of guarantee so that you can sample the product to see if it will work for you.

Lastly a diet rich in estrogen along with supplements can greatly improve your odds of success and of course exercise. All the above will help you to look and feel great and at the same time improve your breasts shape and size.

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A brief overview.

1. Setting Goals

Before you even begin your training, it is important to identify your primary goal. I say primary, because whether you choose to lose fat or gain muscle the other will be a secondary effect.

2. Base Metabolic Rate and Other tools

There are some tools you will need. First is an understanding of basal metabolic rate and your daily caloric requirements. 2nd, you will need a good body fat scale and a notebook.

You should weigh yourself no more than twice a week and no less than every 2 weeks. Weigh-in should always be at the same time and preferably first thing in the morning, and it is even better if it is always the same day (ex. every Wednesday at 7am). Make a note of your weight and Body Fat Percentage (BF%).

Your weight notebook should have 5 columns, Date, Weight, BF%, Fat Lbs and Other Lbs. It is very important to calculate the Lb values. Fat Lbs is your total weight multiplied by your BF% divided by 100 ex. 200lb x 10% / 100 = 20lbs of fat. Other Lbs is your total body weight minus your fat lbs: 200-20 = 180

Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator
(http://gururwm.googlepages.com/basal_metabolic_rate_calculator.htm)

(http://testoster-zone.blogspot.com/2008/02/managing-your-training-and-diet-losing.html)

3. Macro Nutrient requirements

What do I consider to be Macro Nutrient values? Calories, Protein, Carbs, Fat. Try not to make your diet too complicated. Calculate you base calorie needs using the calculator below. If your goal in section 1 is to gain muscle, add 500 calories. If your goal is to lose fat, subtract 500 calories. Also, I believe in keeping diet simple. Your diet should include only whole foods you prepare yourself: Lean meats, fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and grains.

Protein: 0.5g to 1g per pound of bodyweight

Carbs: As a general rule, eat all the vegetables you want, limit your fruit to a maximum of 4 servings per day. If you are trying to lose fat, avoid complex carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes etc) after noon. If you are trying to gain muscle, have some complex carbs later in the day.
Fat: This will take care of itself with your meat, eggs and milk.
Calories: Base Rate plus/minus 500

4. Workout

5 days a week. 3 on one off, 2 on 1 off.

Weights

Bench Press (chest, push)

Dumbbell Flies (chest, push)

Barbell/Dumbbell/Cable Rows (back, Pull)

Lat Pull downs (back, pull)

Shoulder Press (shoulders, push)

Upright Rows (shoulders, push/pull)

Triceps Press (triceps, push)

Bicep Curls (bicep, pull)

Forearm Curls (forearms, push/pull)

Squats (legs)

Dead lift (legs)

Calf Raises (legs)

Optional

Thigh Extensions (legs)

Hamstring Curls (legs)

Cardio

Brisk Walking

Jogging

Exercise Bike

Rowing

Elliptical

To lose fat: Cardio should be done 4 or 5 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour. 2 times a week, reduce your cardio to 30 minutes and do a circuit of the weight exercises. Your circuit should be sets of 20-25 reps of each exercise with no rest between exercise sets.

To Gain Muscle: Split these exercises into 2 groups and do group A on day 1 and 4, and group B on day 2 and 5. On day 3, do light cardio, stretching and body weight callisthenics (push-ups, bodyweight squats and lunges etc). Try and do your push exercises all on one day and pulls on the other. Do light cardio (20 minutes) 1 or 2 days of the week.

Martyn is a successful internet marketer and runs such blogs as:

http://www.hotpulp.com (Totally untrue celebrity News)

http://testoster-zone.blogspot.com (Fitness and workout site)

http://affiliate-journey.blogspot.com (Affiliate Marketing Resource)

Green tea extracts are among the most widely used ancient medicinal agents, while androgens are probably the oldest drugs used in a purified form in traditional Chinese medicine. Supplements containing green tea extracts are a completely natural way of reducing weight with very little risk of any side effects. Green tea extracts are being used by thousands of people for a wide range of health conditions, and it is even an added ingredient in some beverages and snack foods.

Starting from cancer of several kinds, to skin disorders, green tea has played a big role in helping heal the body. A number of chronic disease states have been associated with free radical induced oxidative damage, including cancer, heart disease, suppressed immune function and accelerated aging. The primary catechin in green tea, EGCG, appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells as well as play a role in stimulating apoptosis (programmed cell death), both of which are crucial aspects for cancer prevention. There is also evidence from some studies that green tea provides significant immuno protective qualities, particularly in the case of cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. There is a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer in Asia where people smoke heavily, which may be accounted for by high consumption of tea, particularly green. Green Tea extracts work as an effective treatment for patients who suffer from damaged skin following radiation treatment for cancer. Men with the highest consumption of flavonoids (from fruits and vegetables) have approximately half the risk of heart disease and cancer compared with those with the lowest intake.

Studies of green tea extracts reveal that they may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and cut the risk of some cancers, could prevent Alzheimer’s-like brain damage, as well as boost exercise endurance. Certain substances present in green tea diets are said to help in destroying cancer cells without harming any neighboring tissues. EGCG may cause cancer cells to die in much the same way that normal cells do. Scientists have reason to believe that free radicals also play a role in various degenerative diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer. Even discounting the hype on the tabloids, green tea extracts (polyphenols, catechins, EGCG) seem to be very potent in this cancer prevention role, and they are also blessed with extraordinarily low toxicity.

For medicinal purposes, green tea is considered superior to regular black tea, since it has as much as five times more of the polyphenols that are of interest to us as potent anti-oxidants and cancer preventives. Some researchers believe that the antioxidants present in green tea may have a protective effect against certain cancers. Prostate cancer also referred to as the ‘Hidden Cancer’ is one of the primary causes of death among American men. A study conducted on men at increased risk of developing prostate cancer demonstrated that the substances present in green tea known as catechins, are quite successful in preventing the development of prostate cancer. It is estimated that drinking green tea regularly reduces the risk of prostate cancer by two-thirds. Supplements are better because they don’t have caffeine, and one capsule is equivalent to five cups of tea (depending on capsule potency).

Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing online fitness, diets, health and beauty products and services.
You are invited to visit the following Website.

Co dependence (or codependency) is usually defined as a behavior where an individual exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for persons who depend on him or her. Another term associated with being “codependent” is enabling. In other words, being codependent is enabling the destructive behavior of an individual close to you to continue. It can also mean an individual may rely on the emotions and opinions of others around them to determine how they feel about themselves.

There are many things to consider before labeling yourself an enabler or codependent. No one should consider him or herself an enabler or codependent without first honestly reviewing their own situation and environment. Being compassionate, sympathetic or empathetic to a suffering individual’s predicament does not necessarily mean you are being an enabler or a codependent. If you, by chance, are allowing an active alcoholic to live in your house free of charge while you pay the bills and this has gone on for a while now, well, you may be codependent. The reason being is you are enabling them to continue their destructive behaviors toward themselves and you. Taking little to none of the appropriate action to help a sick individual get well is a good sign of co dependence.

One drawback many codependents experience is self-identification. If the destructive behavior has gone on for years, they may find themselves subconsciously sabotaging the sick individual’s chances of getting better. A common fear is, “If they get better, what will happen to me? I won’t be needed anymore.” The disease of alcoholism and drug addiction is sometimes called a family disease because of all the people it affects. To some degree, everyone who lives with or is close to an active alcoholic or drug addict is sick. Years of destructive and sporadic behaviors of the alcoholic or drug addict will make a sick person out of anyone. Nearly no one is immune, employers, friends, coworkers, and especially the immediate family members.

Another situation for a codependent may be the result from being raised by an active alcoholic or drug addict. Usually what happens for the codependent in this scenario is they are overwhelming dependent on the actions, emotions and opinions of others (such as a parent) to identify who they are. They are, in a sense, grown to believe they are incapable of living a successful life and usually suffer from extreme low self esteem and possibly depression or other psychological disorders.

One solution for someone who is suffering from codependency and would like to learn how to live without it is to attend some type of group support meetings. There, an individual can find freedom from the years of negative programming they experienced as a child, teenager or adult.

There are numerous groups around the country that can help: Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA); Al-Anon (for friends, wives and family members of alcoholics in and out of recovery); and Alateen (for children 12 to 20).

If you or someone you know is suffering from codependency, there are options available to you. A quick look in the local phonebook or newspaper will set you on a path of change that will benefit you and everyone around you.

For more information on alcohol and drug addiction, please visit: Alcohol and Drug Rehab. For information on intervention, please visit: Intervention. For testimonials on how rehab worked for them, please visit: Testimonials.

Patrick McLemore has been a recovering alcoholic and drug addict since June 6, 2005. Patrick widely known as an expert in the field of addictions, he has not only studied the topic extensively, but has lived it. Patrick has worked with the Manor House Recovery Center for over two years. During that time he has been instrumental in the recovery and continued sobriety of numerous recovering alcoholic and drug addicts.

The Problem of Acne

80% of the US population has had acne at some point in their lives and for many people it is a real problem. Not only can it be painful but it can cause a loss of self esteem. After all it is pretty disgusting to look at and it feels even worse.

Do you look at the mirror in the morning dreading what you are going to see? Although it affects a very large proportion of teenagers it can also affect adults, sometimes for decades. So whether you are a teenager, in early middle-age, or a worried parent, if you are reading this then you are probably looking for a solution to your acne problem.

The Solution for Acne - Medical Treatment or Natural Treatment?

Your first reaction to an outbreak might be to buy some over-the-counter anti-acne cream, or prescription drug to get rid of the acne. These might work in the short term but the chances are that the acne will come back. The hassles of acne can be dealt with through more natural means, home remedies for acne which can deal both with outbreaks but also help prevent it coming back again.

Acne is not something which just happens to you. It does not come from outside. It comes from within yourself. You can start dealing with it, using natural remedies for acne, by following some simple rules:

• Drink lots of water. The most important thing of all in the battle against acne. At least 10 glasses a day. Water ensure yours body is hydrated, helps get rid of toxins and helps to clear clogged pores.
• Exercise at least 3 times a week. Exercise increases your metabolic rate, which will help you lose weight, make you want to drink more water, and will improve the blood and oxygen circulation to the skin which will help fight acne.
• Wash thoroughly at least twice a day, especially after doing exercise. Clean off any cosmetics at night.
• Reduce your consumption of caffeine. Are you a six cups a day person? Caffeine increases stress hormones in the body which may increase the production of oil on the skin, leading to acne outbreaks.
• Reduce your consumption of processed sugars, saturated fats, high fat dairy products, and hydrogenised fats like margarine. Studies show that eating these types of products hugely increases the chances of acne.
• Avoid fast foods like pizzas, kebabs, French fries or burgers. You will get a load of harmful toxins from the oils which are constantly reheated to cook fast foods.
• Cut down on alcohol. Quite apart from encouraging toxins in the body, and damaging your liver, alcohol dehydrates you.
• Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. A great investment is a good quality juicer in which you can juice all types of fruits and vegetable such as apples, carrots, pears, pineapples, grapefruit or beets. A good variety of these in a tasty juice will give you a multitude of the nutrients your need.
• Eat products with omega-3 fats in them or find the right omega-3 supplements. Good sources of omega-3 are salmon and trout.
• Do not pick at your spots. Popping a single pimple can cause many more and may lead to permanent scarring.

If your acne outbreak is severe or persistent it may not just be a question of reducing your consumption of some of these harmful foods and drink but avoiding them altogether.

If you would like more information on how to get rid of acne the natural way Click here

Philip Tucker is an internet marketer and writer. For more information on natural home remedies for acne see his website http://www.destroyzits.com

Everyone asks me “Which flat iron is the best?” and I always answer, “What is your hair type?” before I answer with a specific flat iron. Unless you’ve tried it firsthand, chances are the iron you are thinking of buying might not be the best one for your hair. Let’s narrow down the choices with a few key questions.

Which plate width?
Determine which plate width you need - one inch does not fit all. Take the time to select a plate width for your specific hair length. Not all irons come in all sizes so this can help you narrow down your selection.

Fixed or variable temperature settings?
Flat irons come in fixed or variable temperature settings. The type that works best for you depends on your hair’s texture and your styling needs.

Is your hair thin, delicate, damaged or fine? Choose a flat iron with a variable temperature setting so you can control the heat and keep the iron from getting too hot.

Is your hair thick and hard to straighten? A fixed temperature would be a good choice for you so you can crank up the heat on those pesky pieces that just won’t straighten.

Is your hair is somewhere in between? Most likely you will be fine with either choice. My personal preference is a variable setting - I like control.

Does it create curls?
Most flat irons today will create curls, but (ahem) the curls are only as good as the user who creates them, so brush up on those curling techniques.

Which Technology?
Ok, this is really the source of most flat iron confusion. Most flat irons on the market today have similar straightening technology, but which is best? Again, that depends on your hair type and styling needs.

Ceramic/Ionic
Almost all professional grade flat irons are Ceramic and Ionic these days. This technology is important in generating negative ions to smooth the hair cuticles. What you may not realize is NONE of the flat iron plates are 100% Ceramic. That’s a myth. All plates are infused with Ceramic (and/or other materials) to straighten and smooth the hair. I kid you not!

Industry research shows that pure Ceramic plates would be too soft to get the job done, so all manufacturers (this means CHI, T3, Maxiglide, HAI - all of them!) use Ceramic along with a much stronger, heat conducting surface such as Aluminum, Titanium, etc. to straighten the hair’s cuticles. And boy do they work.

Aluminum
Some older, lesser quality flat irons are pure Aluminum. These irons are usually referred to as the “drugstore variety” and do not contain Ceramic. This is why you notice a huge difference when you upgrade to a pricier iron - the addition of Ceramic.

So you know what Ceramic does, but what about all of those other materials you keep hearing about? Tourmaline, Nano-Titanium, Nano Silver, Nano anything? These are additional materials used in the plates to enhance the smoothness of the plate’s surface, generate additional negative ions to smooth your hair quickly, and create a snag free glide down the strands. Here’s a breakdown:

Nano
This is a process where the material, say Tourmaline, is micronized into superfine particles and infused into the plate surface. Whenever you see Nano, think teeny, tiny pieces of a smoothing material infused into the plates. Nano-Ceramic, Nano-Silver, you get the idea.

Ceramic and Nano-Ceramic
Smaller particles of Ceramic to contribute to your smoothing process. This is good for every hair type. Most flat irons with Ceramic technology provide silky, straight results but there are a variety of price points. As for most irons I’ve tried, the pricier Ceramic irons really are better. Plus the more expensive irons usually come with additional features and benefits so be sure to look into this if you are considering a Ceramic iron. (Best Buy: ghd. See also: HAI, Paul Brown, CHI.)

Nano-Titanium
Super smoothing surface, great heat conduction, straightens hair up to 40% faster. Is it necessary? If your hair is hard to straighten, this is one of the best materials out there for you, newer technology but comparable to Tourmaline. If you want the latest technology you’ll like this. (Best Buy: Babyliss. See also: Hot Tools.)

Nano-Silver
A smooth surface that eliminates bacteria on the appliance creating a germ-free environment every time you use it. Great for a stylist, or germ-a-phobe. It straightens hair well, but do you have to have it? Probably not. (Best Buy: FHI Platform. See also: CHI Nano Silver.)

Nano-Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone known for its negative ion generating and smoothing properties, and is infused into the flat iron plates. This is earlier technology than Nano-Titanium and Nano-Silver. I sometimes find that Tourmaline causes static, but still a very good material for smoothing most hair types. (Best Buys: FHI, Bed Head. See also: HAI Elite, T3.)

Does it come with a warranty?
The warranty is another biggie to think about. Some manufacturers will only honor a warranty if you buy the flat iron in a salon. I would consider that a fine idea if the salon in my area carried every flat iron. Truth is, they don’t. But I have noticed the irons they do carry are way more expensive than online. What gives?

If you are buying a flat iron in a store or online, look for a flat iron that has a 1 year warranty or longer - think HAI, ghd, Babyliss. We’ve all heard the rumors about a certain flat iron that breaks after only a few months. Honestly, it does. You might want to think about it. ‘Nuff said.

If you use a flat iron every day you want it to last. Make sure you select a flat iron guaranteed to survive your daily styling habits. If you use a flat iron sporadically, go for a less expensive Ceramic iron without all the technological bells and whistles.

I hope you take the time to ask yourself these simple questions, the flat iron of your dreams is waiting for you!

Shelley Nicoletti, Beauty Editor for StyleBell
http://www.stylebell.com

The general subject of excessive sweating is not a poplar one. Nobody exactly likes to talk about it as generally speaking it is embarrassing. Having sweaty armpits is not something you want to tell anybody about.

Just because you sweat excessively does not mean that you should retreat from society and do nothing about it. Some people are under the impression that they sweat too much due to having too many sweat glands. This is not so. The human body has millions of sweat glands. Beyond that you need to sweat as this regulates your body temperature.

The primary causes of excessive sweating are not exactly known however there are common patterns as to the secondary causes - such as anxiety and stress. While many look for quick fixes it is also worthwhile noting that other factors may be at play which is causing you to over sweat.

An example of this would be your diet. You see excessive sweating is linked to the sympathetic nervous system. When you sweat profusely this system is basically hyperactive. This can occur for multiple reasons. In my case if I was worried about something I would start to sweat excessively.

I used to do this job where I had to prepare presentations for people - the minute things got stressful I would sweat. Of course I drank coffee as well which did not help. You see the sympathetic nervous system not only controls sweat it also prepares the body for fight or flight.

So in my case when I would worry my body would come under stress and as a result sweating would occur. Other factors that contributed to this were my diet. Certain foods put my body internally under stress. So while antiperspirants and so on can help relieve your symptoms short term you should also note when you start to sweating profusely and under what circumstances.

By doing this you may see a pattern evolve that will help you to identify the cause in your given situation. Then you can address this and overcome the problem

Today You Can Discover the Tips, Tricks and All-Natural Techniques for Fast & Safe Relief from Excessive Perspiration - Learn How To Stop Sweating starting today! You can also learn how to Stop Your Armpits From Sweating In Less Than Two Weeks. Eliminate the stress that comes from worrying about underarm sweating with the Stop sweating start living technique.

More and more, society places a high value on physical appearance. While good looks have been admired and coveted for thousands of years, in recent history the emphasis on physical attractiveness has increased. So much of what we are influenced by is what –and who– we see in movies, television, magazines, and even on the Internet. And the people we see in the media are becoming more and more perfect, with airbrushing and stylists and “starve yourself to perfection” diets. If you’re not perfect, you don’t fit.

Unfortunately, most of us were not born perfect. For many people, this can be a painful reality to face, especially if that person has a particular feature they’re not happy with. And nobody is affected more by concerns about their physical appearance than teenagers. Teen self image is especially delicate, and teens are particularly prone to feeling unhappy with the face (or body) they see in the mirror.

Cosmetic surgery can be a good option for those who are unhappy with their current appearance. But for teenagers, the line between an appropriate procedure to improve self image and an inappropriate procedure can be blurry. How young is too young for cosmetic surgery? How can you tell if your teenager is ready?

When determining if a patient is the right age for cosmetic surgery, doctors look at it from two angles– the effect the surgery will have on the patient physically, and the effect it will have emotionally.

Physically, the minimum age for cosmetic surgery differs from procedure to procedure. For some procedures, such as Rhinoplasty (nose job), patients can receive the surgery at a fairly young age. For Rhinoplasty, the minimum age of potential patients is 13 or 14 for girls, and 14 or 15 for boys. Another popular procedure, Otoplasty, which reshapes deformed ears or pins back protruding ears, can be performed on patients as young as four years of age.

There are many procedures, however, that are not appropriate for people who are not fully grown. Many of these are popular procedures that shape the body. Liposuction, for instance, reduces the amount of fat in the body. This is inappropriate for teenagers, as many people lose their “baby fat” at 17, 18, and even 19 years old. Another of the most-requested procedures that is generally inappropriate for teens is breast augmentation. Unless the procedure is used to make breasts more symmetrical, it is not recommended that girls under 19 or 20 undergo the procedure, as their breasts are still growing.

In addition to concerns about growing and changing bodies, surgeons must also look into a potential patient’s mental state. Are they emotionally ready for this life change? Many teenagers have a difficult time being consistent about what they want, and sometimes their gripes about their appearance are tied in more deeply with their self-esteem than with their physical attributes. Plastic Surgeons recommend that before performing any procedure on a teenage, it is necessary to ensure that their concern about cosmetic surgery is real and consistent.

We are pleased to offer our patients cosmetic surgery procedures such as cosmetic laser skin resurfacing, Face Lift, Eye brow Lift and many more.

Yeast infections can be a very embarrassing ailment to suffer from, however, they are very common and there are lots of medications and treatments available to help overcome your yeast infection. This article will explain how to cure them by performing a candida cleanse, which basically washes all the excess yeast out of your system, restoring the natural balance of your body.

What are the causes and symptoms of a yeast infection: Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is found in the intestines, genital tract and the throat among other places. Normally candida albicans is found in small amounts and is kept under control by other bacteria found in the body. However, when this balance is disturbed candida can increase in numbers leading to yeast infections. These have a number of different symptoms - in men they usually include abnormal fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, drowsiness, memory loss, depression, insomnia and mental fogginess. The symptoms women face from candida infections can include PMS (depression, mood swings, bloating, fluid retention, cramps, craving for sweets, headaches prior to menstruation), recurrent bladder or vaginal infections such as Thrush, and a loss of interest in sex.

Yeast infection (natural) treatment

If you are wondering how to cure a yeast infection, then you will be glad to hear that a simple course of action is often the most efficient cure, and there are plenty of natural treatments that you can use. It can take quite a lot of effort to overcome them, but the important thing to remember is that it is perfectly curable, so there is no need to suffer in silence. Many people feel that if they ignore the problem for long enough, it will somehow disappear on it’s own. This is not the case, so be sure you do something about it today!

One of the worst things you could do when you have a yeast infection is to take antibiotics, or other such medications. These will only encourage the candida and make your condition worse. There are also a lot of foodstuffs that you should avoid while treating candida, because many everyday products will in fact just encourage the candida to thrive. You should try to avoid yeast or fungus based foods, such as mushrooms, fermented foods like bread, pastries, cheese and beer. Avoiding any type of vinegar soaked products is a wise precaution as well as these tend to worsen candida symptoms.

One of the best herbal aids you can use to fight candida naturally is lemon juice; just remember to rinse your mouth out with a glass of water after drinking the lemon juice to protect your tooth enamel. Other natural treatments include garlic, which has strong anti-microbial properties along with other herbs which support healthy digestion and which are nourishing tonics, such as horsetail and stinging nettles.

Conclusion

Remember, when you are deciding how to cure a yeast infection, the goal is not to eliminate Candida from the body completely, but to reduce it to a manageable amount and restore the natural balance of your body.

Jason Davidson is an editor at Yeast-Infection- Gone.com. For more information on how to cure a yeast infection the natural way, visit our website.

Cinnamon for diabetes is one of the hottest topics in natural products today. The problem is, there are a lot of people who are otherwise experts on diabetes but who don’t know much about herbs putting out a lot of misinformation about it.

My own claim to expertise on the subject is, other than having been involved in designing a clinical trial to test the efficacy of cinnamon for diabetes and having written a few books on herbal medicine, I’m also a former formulator of some of the kinds of products you find on store shelves.

The good news about cinnamon for diabetes is, it sometimes actually works. The bad news about cinnamon for diabetes is, it doesn’t always work for diabetes, and there’s more than one kind of cinnamon.

The cinnamon that has been documented in published clinical research is Cinnamomum cassia. Despite what some “experts” say, this isn’t the kind of cinnamon you sprinkle on your oatmeal or you get with cinnamon rolls, at least if you’re getting the good stuff. That other kind of cinnamon is Cinnamomum zeylanicum. <i?Cinnamomum cassia is dark brown, whereas the milder Cinnamomum zeylanicum is more of a tan.

Cinnamomum cassia is a slightly bitter, not quite as aromatic variety of cinnamon used in South Asian cuisine. It’s not the kind used in quality baked goods. It’s the kind used in curry.

Cinnamomum cassia is a centuries-old Ayurvedic and Udani (Pakistani) remedy. And it’s the herb that was used in the now-famous study conducted in Pakistan and monitored in the US.

This study of the use of 1, 3, or 6 grams (1 gram = 1,000 mg) of cinnamon every day for 40 days found that on average in a group of diabetics who did not have any other treatment:

• Fasting glucose was lowered 18 to 29 per cent. For most diabetics, this would be something in the range of 30-50 mg/dl, or 1-2.5 mM.

• LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol was lowered 7 to 27 per cent.

• Total cholesterol was lowered 12 to 26 per cent without any loss of the protective HDL cholesterol.

• Fasting triglycerides were lowerd 23 to 30 per cent.

What’s even better was, the benefits continued even after the clinical trial participants quit taking cinnamon. And more was not necessarily better. The optimum dose was 3,000 mg a day, not 6,000 mg.

So what’s the catch?

The people who benefited most from taking cinnamon in this study (and in several others) were people who had type 2 diabetes and who didn’t have access to any other medication. They weren’t in severe distress from high blood sugars, but they probably did have sugars running 220 mg/dl (10+ mM). Cinnamon got sugars down to 140 mg/dl (7 mM) or so.

Cinnamon–and remember, it has to be the right kind of cinnamon–helps a whole lot of if you’re just diagnosed and struggling to find some way to get your sugars down. No doctor is going to tell you it’s enough, but the fact is, it can help.

If your goal is to get your morning blood sugar from 90 mg/dl to 85, cinnamon won’t help you all that much.

What about the other kind of cinnamon? Well, basically, it’s tasty. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Just be sure the product you take for diabetes is labeled Cinnamomum cassia. It doesn’t have to be an expensive extract. The cheaper capsules of pure cinnamon work just as well.

Robert Rister is the author or co-author of nine books on natural health including the critically acclaimed Complete German Commission E Monographs and Healing without Medication. You can find a growing collection of evidence-based articles on natural self-healing at his website http://www.homeremedycompanion.com