Cinnamon for Diabetes: New Survey Shows CAM Used with Diabetes Mellitus

Incidence of diabetes is on the rise. Though at this time there is no known cure, the World Health Organization recommends several lifestyle modifications that may help prevent onset of Type II Diabetes, including healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining normal body weight, and avoiding tobacco use.

For those managing Type I and Type II Diabetes, a 2011 survey by the Diabetes Center of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism shows patients with Diabetes Mellitus are using Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a support with conventional health care.

Of the almost 200 diabetes patients surveyed, 34% of Type I Diabetics and 31% of Type II Diabetics reported using CAM supplements. In addition, 56% of Type I Diabetics and 76% of Type II Diabetics who reported using biologically based supplements said they used them daily with conventional health care and prescribed therapies. Nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, and cinnamon were the most frequently reported CAM supplements used.

If you love cinnamon as many of us do, you'd be interested to know the common culinary spice is currently being researched as a useful supplement with Type II Diabetes. It is thought that cinnamon may lower blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance; in those with Type II Diabetes, insulin, the hormone which lowers blood sugar, does not work efficiently which causes higher blood sugar levels. Further studies are needed, however, to determine the long-term effects of cinnamon on diabetes.

>>Read the full-text review of "Use of complementary and alternative medicine supplements in patients with diabetes mellitus" by the American Botanical Council online here

>> If you'd like to learn more about holistic nutrition to support optimal health and wellness, visit ACHSedu and click on Holistic Medicine, community wellness events, and News and Events for more information

*This information has not been reviewed by the FDA and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine, consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor.

Meet Jean Wilson, ACHS's New Admissions Advisor

Meet Jean Wilson, American College of Healthcare Sciences' (ACHS) new Admissions Advisor. Welcome to the ACHS family, Jean!

Jean, a Portland native, has an Associate Degree in Human Services Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. As a previous online student, Jean has in-depth knowledge of, and experience with online learning environments.

“As a recent distance learner I come to ACHS well-versed in the processes of distance learning and how to maximize the online learning experience,” Jean says. “This experience will prove helpful with assisting students to become acclimated in a distance learning environment. I look forward to providing exceptional service while assisting students to achieve their academic goals.”

“In addition, I believe in total wellness: mind, body, and spirit,” Jean says. “To have the opportunity to work for ACHS, a college that promotes and educates within the field of holistic health, is a reward itself. I am excited about the opportunity to learn more about holistic health and contribute to community awareness.”

Jean will work with Acting Director of Operations Tracey Miller to help current and prospective ACHS students determine the best online holistic health program for their personal and professional goals. Jean can be reached at (503) 244-0726 or jeanwilson@achs.edu.

About ACHS
American College of Healthcare Sciences is one of the first accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (503) 244-0726, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

ACHS Aromatherapy Bar at the Beaverton Farmer's Market June 25

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our community wellness booth at the Beaverton Farmer's Market last Saturday, June 25! We've posted a few photos from the event for those who were not able to attend in person: Pictured left, ACHS Acting Director of Operations Tracey Miller (right) and volunteer Erin Pech and pictured right, ACHS Director of Marketing Kate Harmon (left) and ACHS Chief Institutional Officer Erika Yigzaw (right).

Did you enjoy our aromatherapy bar and demonstrations? We've posted a link to our demonstration of How to Use an Essential Oil Travel Kit to our YouTube channel, ACHStv, here: http://www.youtube.com/ACHStv#p/u/0/lOGYkuuTZds Stop by ACHStv, rate our video, and subscribe for immediate notification of when new videos are posted.

If you weren't able to make it to the Market this time, we have two more schedule dates this summer. Catch ACHS at the Beaverton Farmer's Market July 30 and August 27.

For a full listing of 2011 ACHS community wellness events and holistic health courses, visit us online at ACHSedu (www.achs.edu)

We always love to hear from you! If you have an idea for a community wellness workshop or ACHStv demonstration, let us know! You can post your suggestions here and to ACHS Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu

3 Essential Oils for Summer

Summer is here and you know what that means … fun and sun, bumps and bugs. To help stay in tip-top shape all summer long, here are three essential oils to keep on hand.

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, has a characteristic aroma frequently used in room sprays and cosmetic products to help relive stress and support relaxation. The essential oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can be very handy with minor bumps and scrapes. To make your own lavender ointment, warm 2-oz sweet almond oil over a double boiler and add 1/4-oz grated beeswax. Stir until the wax is dissolved then add 25 drops lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil, 10 drops bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil, and 5 drops thyme Thymus vulgaris oil. Cool before placing in jars and leave it to completely cool before putting on the lid to avoid condensation.

Neroli, Citrus aurantium var. amara, has a decadent, light floral aroma reminiscent of a stroll through the garden. It is the quintessential aroma for summer ambiance. To support relaxation and to refresh the air, diffuse around your home (especially if you plan to staycation this summer!).

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, is a pale-colored oil with a slightly spice aroma; it is reminiscent of cloves and camphor. Medicinally, the essential oil has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which make it a useful ingredient in blends or when diluted in a carrier oil. In addition, basil’s essential oil is an effective natural insect repellent[1] and a good alternative to citronella essential oil if you do not like citronella’s strong scent; diffuse the essential oil at your outdoor events for a fresh aroma and some added insurance against those pesky mosquitoes.

Which essential oil is essential for you? Post a comment and tell us which essential oil is a summer must ... be sure to include your favorite blend and recipes!!

Interested in learning more about aromatherapy essential oils? Visit ACHS.edu for more information about aromatherapy classes, community wellness events, and summer study abroad programs with the American College of Healthcare Sciences.We look forward to hearing from you!

[1] Dube, S., Upadhyay, P.D., Tripathi, S.C. (1989). Canadian Journal of Botany, 67:2085-2087.

2011 Dirty Dozen: How to Shop for Produce and Avoid Harmful Pesticides

Eating your daily serving of fruits and veggies is essential. However, it pays to be aware of what you're eating! To support the maximum health benefits of eating a fruit and veggie-rich diet, reducing exposure to pesticides found in produce is beneficial.

The EWG's 2011 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce can help you to "determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated produce," EWG says.

Here are the top 5 produce listed on the EWG's Dirty Dozen (foods to buy organic):

#1 Apples
#2 Celery
#3 Strawberries
#4 Peaches
#5 Spinach

Here are the top 5 produce listed on the EWG's Clean 15 (foods lowest in pesticides):

#1 Onions
#2 Sweet Corn
#3 Pineapples
#4 Avocado
#5 Asparagus

To see the complete lists and download the Guide as a PDF, visit http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

We'd love to hear from you. Were you surprised by the Dirty Dozen? Leave a comment with your favorite summer fruit and veggie recipes!

Important Dos for Educating the Aromatherapy Novice in Business

BY Rose Chard, ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate, Owner Your Body Needs, LLc

Aromatherapy is a term that gets tossed around in the commercial market with little credibility to the fundamental science behind it. For the aromatherapy student who may look forward to a future in the industry, this is a frustrating issue because it becomes more of a challenge attempting to reach out to those who stand to gain a tremendous amount of benefit from the practice. If you are planning on starting a career in aromatherapy, here are some important factors to educating your customers.

1. Understand you are an educator—If you are a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) you must recognize that achievement. Your education gives you a vast amount of knowledge in the industry which the average person does not have. Provided you remain in your scope of practice and within ethical guidelines, you have quite a powerhouse of information to help improve clients’ quality of life. You earned that right through your education. Wasn’t it valuable to you the first time you heard it?

2. Have a business plan—Aromatherapy study is broad. There are hundreds of essential oils and many applications of using them. Having a strategic business plan will allow you to focus on how to get your message across. Determine which area of aromatherapy business you want to focus on and in which platform you will be communicating: leased site, website, colleges or other? As soon as you have a solid idea of your plan, you will be able to develop well-suited ideas that will best fit your business model. Having a clear, well-thought-out direction will enable you to make smarter choices and lead to fewer frustrations. Do not be afraid to start small; you do not have to deliver the entire message all at once. You might decide that you want to concentrate your efforts on a branch of aromatherapy that appeals to you, and from there you could expand that into a business model.

To read the full text article with three additional suggestions, download the June 2011 edition of the ACHS eNewsletter, The Reporter, online here: http://www.achs.edu/newsletter.aspx?id=7

Don't forget to leave a comment! We want to hear from you!

Juicing is a Natural, Easy-to-Use, and Affordable Way to Help Flush Toxins

It's that time of year again ... time to give the body a boost with a little clean up and clean out.

Juice therapy—or juicing—is a natural, easy-to-use, and affordable way to help flush toxins, leftover wastes, sitting sedentary in your body. Flushing toxins helps improve major body functions, as well as overall vitality, energy, healthy skin, and heart health, to name a few benefits.

Here are some common juicing fruits and vegetables, and the heath support they are associated with:

• Apple: general cleanser, fights infection, and stimulates digestion
• Apricot: blood builder, constipation, and skin problems
• Lemon: gout, arthritis, laxative, and sore throats (always dilute)
• Cabbage: obesity, antiseptic, duodenal ulcers, and constipation
• Celery: all arthritic disorders, builds blood, and diuretic

Juice is a relatively mild cleanse and can be done at home daily. One 8-oz glass would be a healthy addition to the daily diet. Why juice? First—when made into juices, fruits and vegetables have concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. Second—juicing increases the bioavailability of these nutrients. (Bioavailability is the rate at which a substance, in this case the health properties of the juiced fruits and vegetables, are absorbed by the body. In general, juiced fruits and veggies are absorbed by the body at a faster rate than when eaten whole or cooked.)

Juice fresh. Don’t juice, then store for later consumption. Doing this can lead to a loss of minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. You can make juices from fruit combinations or vegetable combinations, but do not mix fruit and vegetables. The combination of fruit and vegetables impairs digestion and limit the assimilation of nutrients.

Do you juice? We want to hear from you! Post your best juicing tips and recipes.