WANT TO HELP CLIENTS BURN MORE FAT?
SPRINKLE ON THE CINNAMON, RESEARCH SUGGESTS.
One of the most common requests at medical spas is for fat reduction. Be it Coolsculpting, liposuction, or Kybella injections, customers are turning to fat-fighting treatments to help slim their waistline and other problem areas. As effective as these fat-reducing treatments can be, everyone can use a little more help with their weight loss, and researchers may have just found a solution, just in time for the holidays.
THE EFFECTS OF CINNAMON ON FAT
Previous researchers had found cinnamaldehyde (CA), an essential oil in cinnamon, can help protect against obesity and hyperglycemia in mice. Scientists from the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute decided to investigate further, determining the mechanism and the substance’s effect in human fat cells.
For their study, Jun Wu and colleagues recruited human volunteers with a wide range of ages, ethnicities, and body mass indices (BMI). The researchers collected and tested adipocytes, which are fat cells, from the volunteers, treating them with cinnamaldehyde.
When they did so, the scientists noticed several genes and enzymes that enhance lipid metabolism were expressed. Ucp1 and Fgf21 also increased, and these regulatory proteins are involved in thermogenesis, the process of adipocytes burning energy. This means the cinnamaldehyde seems to trigger gene expression and stimulate protein production to burn fat.
The research suggests that cinnamaldehyde, and the cinnamon that contains it, may help burn more fat. Those who wish to slim their waistline may be able to help speed up their weight loss by simply adding this popular spice to their diet. It may be easier for cinnamon-lovers to stick to a diet containing their favorite spice versus taking weight-loss drugs or other interventions.
HOLD OFF ON THAT CINNAMON OVERLOAD
That said, the researchers caution those who might be tempted to sprinkle a little too much cinnamon on their diet. More research will need to confirm the findings within the human body while ensuring the compound does not trigger adverse effects. Although cinnamon is a common spice, nobody knows how much it would take to make a significant impact on fat cells and what side effects may occur. The compound is a potential irritant that could trigger inflammation and burns, eroding gastrointestinal mucosa. Some people may even have a cinnamon allergy, making consumption of this popular spice life-threatening.
WHY DO WE HAVE EXCESS FAT, ANYWAY?
Back in the days of our ancestors, humans evolved to store fat for times of need. When food was scarce, people could burn these adipocytes for energy, beneficial in a hunter-gatherer society full of feast and famine. For most people these days, food is in surplus, and this excess fat is not something they want to keep around. As obesity increases in the U.S. and around the world, researchers are hoping new ideas, such as using cinnamaldehyde to trigger thermogenesis, can help reign in this epidemic.
The research comes just in time for not only the holiday season but as another University of Michigan study finds a possible contributor to the obesity epidemic. Psychology graduate student Michelle Joyner led a study to investigate if food cues in fast-food restaurants can trigger the urge to overeat.
CAN A RESTAURANT’S ATMOSPHERE TRIGGER OVEREATING?
The researchers thought food cues, such as the aroma of burgers and fries and the look of tantalizing food pictures on menus, might trigger increased cravings and hunger in fast-food patrons. To test this, they ensured participants ate an hour before the trial and then allowed them to choose tokens for foods such as cheeseburgers, fries, milkshakes, or soft drinks, or non-food items such as time to play video games. The researchers then randomly assigned the students to a neutral lab environment or an environment set up like a fast-food restaurant with tables and chairs and low background music.
As it turns out, those who ate their food in a fast-food environment consumed an average of 220 calories more each than their lab-environment counterparts. The food-related cues seemed to make participants feel hungrier, although both groups equally enjoyed the food’s taste. With all the signage in fast-food restaurants and splashy billboards and commercials bombarding their senses, it is no wonder people are packing on the pounds lately.
HOW TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS TRIM THEIR WAISTLINE
As your clients struggle with diet and exercise, they can use any extra help they can get. As they visit you for fat-dissolving deoxycholic acid injections or other treatments, maybe sprinkle some cinnamon in their coffee or flavored water for a little fat-burning boost. That is a festive gift we can all enjoy.
Team Rejuvee