GRAEDONS | People's Herbal Pharmacy To lower cholesterol, try cinnamon

Q. I am curious about the health value of cinnamon. A year ago, I ran across a Web site suggesting cinnamon to reduce bad LDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. I do not have this disease, but I wanted to improve my LDL with this spice.
I've been working to improve my cholesterol levels with exercise and healthy diet. For about 10 years, my typical LDL was 135, while my HDL was 35. My siblings have similar numbers.
This year's numbers were 114 and 43. My total cholesterol dropped from 192 to 170, and my triglycerides went from 98 to 65. The only change that I made in the past year was to have 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon on my breakfast every morning. I am pleasantly surprised. I like cinnamon and plan to continue taking it regularly. Most members of my family are politely skeptical. Have you seen any research?
A. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was published in Diabetes Care (December 2003). As you report, it involved type 2 diabetics. The scientists found that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
We hope there will be further research to confirm these findings for people like you. In the meantime, you seem to be getting good results with what you are doing.
Q. Who is correct? My orthopedic specialist says taking a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement is worthless. But my husband's neurological specialist says this is the best remedy for spinal column pain. I have osteoarthritis in both hips.
A. Your experience captures the divided view of the medical community with respect to glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis. Some studies demonstrate benefit, while others do not.
Judging from our mail, there are many people for whom these products are extremely helpful. Others report no benefit. The only way you'll know if it works is to give it a try.
Q. I have been amused to read about the use of Vicks VapoRub to fight toenail fungus. My elbows were very scaly and getting uncomfortable to lean on. Since scaly skin might be a sign of fungus and I had VapoRub on hand, I thought I'd try it.
It's been two months, and the elbows are about 85 percent better, but here is the really cool thing. I am an artist. Since I turned 50, my fingertips would split and bleed whenever I handled paper, worked in the garden or washed too often. It was almost impossible to put any kind of pressure on my fingers. I was wearing bandages on my fingertips and feeling debilitated.
Since treating my elbows for fungus, my hands have stopped splitting and bleeding. They had been so sore I had trouble doing any fine finger work. I conclude my fingers must also have had a fungal infection, and the oils in the VapoRub have helped my skin stay whole.
A. We don't know if fungus would cause your scaly elbows or cracked, split fingertips. The volatile oils in Vicks VapoRub do seem to have some antifungal action. Vicks contains petrolatum, which is also an effective moisturizer.
We are sending you our Guides to Skin Care and Unique Uses for Vicks for other inexpensive ways to combat dry, cracked skin. Anyone who would like copies may send $2 and a long (No. 10), self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, Dept. SVi-276, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027.
XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019, or e-mail them at pharmacy@mindspring.com or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org. Their latest book is "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" (St. Martin's Press).
& copy; 2004 King Features Syndicate, Inc.