It will not surprise my regular readers when I say that I like to learn and share accessible, based on evidence of approaches to improve the health of my customers and those who follow my content.
When the opportunity, as it is today, to work with the Ontario Ginseng Growers AssociationI immediately knew that I was going to extend my knowledge to the realm of Panax Quinquefolius Ginseng.
This is a bite, isn’t it?
Panax Quinquefolius Ginseng, also known as North American Ginseng (NAG), is inherent in Canada and was found to develop near Montreal in 1700.
You knew …
Is Ginseng Industry the largest sector cultivated cultivation in Canada?
Exactly why I will mention it as a Canadian ginseng for the rest of today’s position.
In fact, we export 95% of the ginseng we grow up here in Ontario around the world.
The fresh air, the water and the soil we are privileged to have in the southern Ontari for a high quality and extremely sought after product mimicking that of wild ginseng – so it is not a surprise to extract so much!
Quite striking right?
We haven’t reached science yet!
It is important to recognize before we do that Ginseng has been extremely respected for its pharmaceutical real estate for thousands of years, playing an essential role in traditional Chinese medicine and is an important aspect of both Chinese and first nation culture.
In recognition of its rich history and its enormous future potential, I have worked with OGGA today to explore specific aspects of the health benefits of Canadian Ginseng through the “metabolic health” lens – which is truly a fancy way to say that we must do it with metabolism.
I’m not sure what I mean by that?
You’re going to find out!
Ginseng & Metabolic Health – The Science
One of the most relevant aspects of metabolic health is the way our cells respond to insulin (known as insulin sensitivity) – the hormone that helps our cells remove sugar from blood circulation and use it for energy.
Insulin sensitivity means that our cells respond properly to insulin, but poor or reduced insulin sensitivity can increase the risk of health effects such as fatty liver, diabetes pre -2 and type 2 diabetes.
Here’s the good news …
Canadian Ginseng contains a number of unique bioactive compounds, the most notable of which are known as Ginsenosides.
Scientists are increasingly believing That these compounds help improve insulin sensitivity to the human body through at least two different potential mechanisms.
- Improving insulin production: Ginsenosides can immediately stimulate the pan-cells (which produce insulin) to produce slightly more and make it a little easier for our body to regulate blood sugar levels as a result.
- Increase the life-long life duration: Scientists also believe that ginsenosides can contribute to the health of beta-cells that produce insulin by increasing their life.
Now this is as cool and real science, but I always like to look for human studies to truly bring this science to life and to increase our faith in the potential benefits of any nutritional or vegetable intervention.
Fortunately, we have many human studies that prove that these theoretical mechanisms translate into measurable benefits from the real life of the consumption of Canadian Ginseng.
Let’s take a closer look at these next!
Ginseng & Metabolic Health – Studies
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001 & Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2000
The two studies shared above were very similar because they both investigated the influence of Canadian Ginseng’s ingestion before a test meal in the blood sugar of healthy adults.
What they found, in summary, is that only 1-3 grams of Canadian Ginseng consumed 30-60 minutes before lunch led to a statistically significant reduction in this meal to blood sugar response to participants with a slightly greater benefit found in higher doses of 6-9g.
European Journal of Nutrition 2018
The decrease in the effect of a meal on blood sugar levels or merely driving blood sugar levels as a whole is a desired result for many people, but especially the case for those living with type 2 diabetes, where Ginseng’s effect on studies is also positive.
In the above -type adult study, 1g of Canadian Ginseng is provided per day (3G per day in total) and told him to use it 40 minutes before their meal – similarly to the other studies I have discussed so far.
The researchers found that when people with T2 did it daily for an 8 -week period, both fasting blood sugar and A1C levels decreased.
While there is absolutely no replacement of professional guidance on nutrition, medication and supplementation – findings such as they offer a picture of the free role that Canadian Ginseng can play to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.
How to bring Canadian ginseng to your world
Have I even got your attention?
If you, like me, are relatively young in Canadian Ginseng, there are some more things I would like to offer you.
Wise taste … The Canadian Ginseng is earthy and slightly bitter with a sweet touch.
The ideas of inspiration use include ..
- Ginseng capsules
- Ginseng powder in baked products, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt and more
- Whole or shredded dried ginseng in coffee, tea, soups or marinades.
- Fresh Ginseng can be more difficult to find, can be consumed raw, steam or grated and added to mix fried, soups and stew where 1-2 grams equals 0.5 to 1 teaspoon.
Final thoughts
I am proud to admit that I have learned a new new and gastronomic science throughout the process of collaborating with Ontario Ginseng’s Ginsens Ginseng and even more proud that contributes significantly to raising awareness of a product that is truly as local as it gets.
If today’s post has moved your Canadian Ginseng, I will strongly encourage visiting the Ogga Website for tones more ideas and Inspo.
Are you a healthcare professional? You will surely want See the short webinar on custom To find out even more about how this root can help your customers.
Until next time,
Andy de Santis rd mph
Bonus – Breakfast champions !!
