Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
What role does cinnamon play in lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease? Cinnamon is full of antioxidants and has been shown to assist in inflammation in the body, cuts the risk of heart disease, fights bacterial and fungal infections, treats digestion, and can even lower blood sugar. In 2013, scientists at the University of California at Santa Barbara released outcomes of their studies on the possibility of cinnamon to prevent Alzheimer's disease, concluding that the two compounds found in cinnamon — cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin — has shown some promising results in preventing the development of the filamentous "tangles" found in the brain cells that characterize the disease. During the process of Alzheimer's disease, a protein made up of twisted fibers (tangles) called tau form inside dying cells. In healthy brain areas, tau assists in keeping the cell-to-cell transport on course, but in the areas of the brain where tangles are forming, the twisted strands break up this transport system and the nutrients and other essential supplies can no longer move through the cells, and thus, eventually die, leading to Alzheimer's. Brain tissue in individuals with Alzheimer's disease is exposed to oxidative stress during the course of the disease. Scientists studied the compounds found in cinnamon and in the research found that it prevented the tau knots from forming by protecting tau from oxidative stress, an imbalance in radical production of reactive oxygen and antioxidative defense. It also hindered the tau protein's accumulation in the brain. The compounds in cinnamon tended to protect the tau protein by binding cysteine (amino acids) residues which can ensure proper functioning of the protein. In other words, the cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant which helps neutralize cellular processes and prevents oxidation in the brain. More research needs to be done regarding the use of cinnamon and Alzheimer's disease risk and prevention; however, because of its many evidence-based health benefits, cinnamon itself is not a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Most experiments in the studies so far have been conducted in cells grown in the lab so it is unclear if the same effects will be seen in animal models or humans, or if there will be any impact on the function of brain cells. Additionally, the levels of cinnamon an individual would have to eat to replicate the results of many of the experiments that have taken place would be toxic. Yet, it doesn't hurt to incorporate cinnamon in an overall diet plan for its numerous health benefits as it is a delicious and healthy spice for food and beverages. Adding cinnamon to your coffee, or tea, sprinkling it on toast, cereal or oatmeal and shaking it on baked or raw fruit are just some ways to include it in your daily nutrition plan. Cinnamon can also be taken as a supplement, in capsule form (two 500 mg daily are recommended).
