Delicious, healthy holiday spice

Nutmeg is one of my favorite Christmas spices. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] December 23, 2022 [] Reader, Nutmeg is one of my favorite Christmas spices. Just the smell of it brings me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen as she was preparing her delicious feasts for the holidays... She loved to use this fragrant and nutty spice in everything from pies and cookies to savory dishes like roasted vegetables that came straight from her garden. Today, I use it year-round to spice up my stews, curries, and sausage dishes. I also love using it as a meat rub when I grill outdoors. I recently started researching nutmeg for its health benefits. You see, I’m thinking about adding it to one of my formulas. I knew from earlier research that this spice could significantly [decrease blood glucose](1770d7/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) while activating your body’s master metabolic switch. But nutmeg’s benefits go far beyond balancing your blood sugar... Here are a few reasons you should use this Christmas spice all year round. It acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. You’ve heard me say it for years. Chronic inflammation that creeps up on you over the years is the underlying cause of many of today’s most devasting conditions, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, DNA damage, and cancer. But nutmeg is rich in active anti-inflammatory compounds called monoterpenes, including sabinene, terpineol, and pinene, that inhibit inflammation in the body.1 Helps with chronic pain. Nutmeg also contains potent essential oils like myristicin, elemicin, eugenol, and safrole which relieve the inflammation that causes joint pain and swelling.2 Improves memory and cognition. In a 2014 study, researchers determined that giving animals nutmeg helped “significantly improve memory boosting and memory regaining effects.” Let me explain... Our brains produce a compound called acetylcholine which is vital to memory. Patients with cognitive problems, including dementia, produce an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase that breaks down acetylcholine. Nutmeg helps prevent this breakdown.3 Boosts mood. Animal studies show that nutmeg extract acts as a powerful antidepressant. The spice contains a component called myristicin, which is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. MOAI drugs were the first class of antidepressants. MAO inhibitors stop the enzymes that break down neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. In other words, natural MAO Inhibitors boost the level of these neurotransmitters in the brain.4 Protects your heart. Numerous minerals in nutmeg, like potassium, iron, calcium, and manganese, help lower blood pressure. These nutrients also act as a vasodilator. They help relax blood vessels which keep your heart functioning efficiently.5 It can enhance your sex drive. Some animal studies show that nutmeg can improve libido and performance. In one study, rates given the spice experienced significant increases in sexual activity and performance time compared to a control group.6 You can purchase nutmeg either as a whole seed or as a powder. I recommend getting the whole nutmeg and grating it yourself. Most of the health benefits come from the seed’s essential oils. And when you buy powder off the shelf, only a trace amount of these oils remain. Try this easy Christmas eggnog topped with nutmeg. This time of year, I like adding the spice to my keto eggnog recipe. Nothing says Christmas like sipping this drink after dinner. [eggnog] Ingredients: - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup coconut milk - 2 pastured eggs - 2 tbsp butter - 2 tablespoons sugar - 1 tsp ground Ceylon cinnamon - ½ tsp ground cinnamon - 2 tbsp rum or brandy Directions: - Add all ingredients except the alcohol to a pan over low-medium heat. - Gently stir for three to five minutes. Be careful not to allow the mixture to boil. It will slowly thicken as it cooks. - Remove from the heat and add the alcohol. Pour into glasses and top with a sprinkle of more nutmeg. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: 1. Abourashed E and El-Alfy A. “Chemical diversity and pharmacological significance of the secondary metabolites of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.)” [Phytochem Rev. 2016 Dec; 15(6): 1035–1056.](1770d7/ct2_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) 2. Zhang W, et al. “Nutmeg oil alleviates chronic inflammatory pain through inhibition of COX-2 expression and substance P release in vivo.” [Food Nutr Res.](1770d7/ct3_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) 2016; 60: 10.3402/fnr.v60.30849. 3. Jissa G, et al. “Oral administration of nutmeg on memory boosting and regaining in Wistar albino rats.” Bali Med J. 2014;3(1). 4. Moinuddin G, et al. “Evaluation of the anti-depressant activity of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) in male rats.” Avicenna J Phytomed (2012) 2(2):72–8. 5. Camargo S, et al. “Antihypertensive potential of linalool and linalool complexed with β-cyclodextrin: Effects of subchronic treatment on blood pressure and vascular reactivity.” Biochem Pharmacol. 2018 May;151:38-46. 6. Tajuddin A, et al. “An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg).” [BMC Complement Altern Med.](1770d7/ct4_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) 2005; 5: 16. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3ALBXdndaKI) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States