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A small study found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome who took low-cost daily 1,500-milligram cinnamon supplements had about twice the menstrual cycles over a six-month period compared to women with PCOS who were given a placebo. Having regular menstrual cycles increases the likelihood of pregnancy. Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City did the study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome “is one of the most common causes why women don’t have regular menstrual cycles,” said study author Dr. Daniel Kort. “But the clinical consequences later in life are truly great-from an increased risk of diabetes and glucose intolerance to endometrial cancer. Many women can go their whole lives without regular menstrual cycles, and it doesn’t necessarily bother them until they want to have children.”

“There is a lot of interest in homeopathic or natural remedies for this condition,” said Kort, a postdoctoral fellow in reproductive endocrinology at the medical center. “This may be something we can do using a totally natural substance that can help a large group of patients.”

Ingredients

For the salsa:

1 can of peach halves

1/2 red bell pepper

1/4 red onion

1 whole jalapeno pepper

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons lemon juice

In a medium bowl, stir together chopped peaches, bell pepper, onions, jalapenos, cilantro and lemon juice; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the fish:

4 tilapia fillets (about 1 lb)

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon low-sodium adobo seasoning

1 packet low-sodium sazon seasoning

8 flour tortillas (6″ diameter, warmed)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, stir together chili powder, adobo seasoning and sazon packet. Rub fish with spice mixture to coat completely.

2. Place fish on hot greased grill grates.

3. Cook, flipping once until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (145 degrees Fahrenheit), about 8 minutes.

4. Thinly slice fish. To serve, fill each tortilla with 1/2 fish fillet and about 1/3 cup of salsa.

Serves 4: Per serving: Calories: 330; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 380 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 44 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Protein: 27 g

Source: What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl

Should you spend the extra cents to buy organic produce? Is organic a healthier choice? New findings from Stanford University cast some doubt on the benefits of buying organic.

“There isn’t much difference between organic and conventional foods, if you’re an adult and making a decision based solely on your health,” said Dr. Dena Bravata from Stanford’s Center for Health Policy. The study compares the nutrition of organic and non-organic foods and is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

This is the broadest study to date comparing organic and conventional foods. The researchers did not find strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional options, though consumption of organic foods can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.

The popularity of organic products, which are generally grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers or routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones, is skyrocketing in the United States. Organic foods are often twice as expensive as their conventionally grown counterparts.

Although there is a common perception-perhaps based on price alone-that organic foods are better for you than non-organic ones, it remains an open question as to the health benefits.

The researchers found no consistent differences in the vitamin content of organic products, and only one nutrient-phosphorus-was significantly higher in organic versus conventionally grown produce (and the researchers note that because few people have phosphorous deficiency, this has little clinical significance).

There was also no difference in protein or fat content between organic and conventional milk, though evidence from a limited number of studies suggested that organic milk may contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

The review yielded scant evidence that conventional foods posed greater health risks than organic products. While researchers found that organic produce is 30 percent less likely to be contaminated with pesticides than conventional fruits and vegetables, organic foods are not necessarily 100 percent free of pesticides. What’s more, as the researchers noted, the pesticide levels of all foods fell within the allowable safety limits.

“If you look beyond health effects, there are plenty of other reasons to buy organic instead of conventional,” noted Dr. Bravata. She listed taste preferences and concerns about the effects of conventional farming practices on the environment and animal welfare as some of the reasons people choose organic products.