Cinnamon for type 2 diabetes
Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 09
Just reading about aromatic spices can remind us of smells and flavors; in fact, it has been shown that simply reading the word “cinnamon” activates an area in your brain involved in smell called the primary olfactory cortex. The name cinnamon is thought to originally come from the Malay and Indonesian for "sweet wood," coincidently this aromatic spice is gaining evidence to support its use for improving conditions related to poor blood sugar control including type 2 diabetes.
Appetising medicine
Several published scientific studies have investigated the potential for cinnamon to improve type 2 diabetes with most showing a beneficial effect (1-13). There is evidence to suggest cinnamon not only improves blood sugar control but may help improve associated cardiovascular risk, reduce cholesterol and mildly improve weight loss.
How cinnamon can help
People with type 2 diabetes have difficulty maintaining healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels due to a condition known as insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone responsible for the transport of glucose from the blood stream into your cells so it can be used for energy. In people with insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetics, the cells become resistant to the action insulin causing glucose to build up in the blood. This build up of glucose in the blood is one of the reasons why type 2 diabetics are at a greatly increased risk of diseases such as heart disease. Cinnamon has been shown to improve the cells response to insulin, reducing insulin resistance and lowering blood glucose (14-15).
Sprinkle on some spice
Cinnamon is very safe, inexpensive and can be used regularly in food or taken as a dietary supplement. Generally studies in type 2 diabetes have used 1-6 grams (less than a teaspoon) of powdered cinnamon daily. More research is needed before cinnamon can be used as a replacement to medications but in addition to usual care cinnamon makes for a tasty and promising medicine.
References
1. Khan A, Khattak KN, Safdar M, Anderson RA, Ali Khan MM. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003; 26:3215–8.
2. Vanschoonbeek K, Thomassen BL, Senden JM, Wodzig WK, van Loon LJ. Cinnamon supplementation does not improve glycemic control in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes patients. J Nutr 2006; 136:977–80.
3. Mang B, Wolters M, Schmitt B, et al. Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. Eur J Clin Invest 2006;36:340–4.
4. Altschuler JA, Casella SJ, MacKenzie TA, Curtis KM. The effect of cinnamon on A1C among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2007;30: 813–6.
5. Blevins SM, Leyva MJ, Brown J, Wright J, Scofield RH, Aston CE. Effect of cinnamon on glucose and lipid levels in non insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2007;30:2236
6. Crawford P. Effectiveness of cinnamon for lowering hemoglobin A1C in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Board Fam Med. 2009 Sep-Oct;22(5):507-12.
7. Jitomir J, Willoughby DS. Cassia cinnamon for the attenuation of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance resulting from sleep loss. J Med Food. 2009 Jun;12(3):467-72.
8. Roussel AM, Hininger I, Benaraba R, Ziegenfuss TN, Anderson RA. Antioxidant effects of a cinnamon extract in people with impaired fasting glucose that are overweight or obese. J Am Coll Nutr. 2009 Feb;28(1):16-21.
9. Solomon TP, Blannin AK. Changes in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity following 2 weeks of daily cinnamon ingestion in healthy humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009 Apr;105(6):969-76.
10. Ziegenfuss TN, Hofheins JE, Mendel RW, Landis J, Anderson RA. Effects of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on body composition and features of the metabolic syndrome in pre-diabetic men and women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006 Dec 28;3:45-53.
11. Solomon TP, Blannin AK. Effects of short-term cinnamon ingestion on in vivo glucose tolerance. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2007 Nov;9(6):895-901.
12. Baker WL, Gutierrez-Williams G, White CM, Kluger J, Coleman CI. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes Care. 2008 Jan;31(1):41-3.
13. Suppapitiporn S, Kanpaksi N, Suppapitiporn S. The effect of cinnamon cassia powder in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Assoc Thai. 2006 Sep;89 Suppl 3:S200-5.
14. Kim W, Khil LY, Clark R, Bok SH, Kim EE, Lee S, Jun HS, Yoon JW. Naphthalenemethyl ester derivative of dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid, a component of cinnamon, increases glucose disposal by enhancing translocation of glucose transporter 4. Diabetologia. 2006 Oct;49(10):2437-48.
15. Sheng X, Zhang Y, Gong Z, Huang C, Zang YQ. Improved Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism by Cinnamon Extract through Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors. PPAR Res. 2008;2008:581348.
Tags: Cinnamon, Type 2 Diabetes
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Comments (9)
Thanks for sharing such nice tips here. My uncle has suffering from Diabetes. I will inform him about this tips. Hope it will be useful to him for his good health.
Posted by tea
(http://www.vitabits.co.uk/tea)
on
Wed, 4 Nov 09 - 12:00am
thank you for sharing this useful information. Do you know that glycemic index are also very useful in terms of losing weight? that's correct, glycemic index as many studies shows are helpful in losing weight. It's a very effective and healthy way of diet
Posted by Erika the glycemic index guru
(http://the-glycemic-index-guide.com/)
on
Mon, 26 Jul 10 - 12:00am
Another important element to lower diabetes level is Vitamin D. According to a research done by Warwick Medical School, Vitamin D could prevent further deterioration of diabetic and cardiovascular complications.
Posted by Vitamin D helps to improve diabetes
(http://www.101health.org/diabetes/vitamin-d-relation-to-diabetes-and-heart-disease.php)
on
Sat, 31 Jul 10 - 12:00am
Very nice tips to help people with diabetes. It always nice to see people wanting to help each other out.
Posted by Weight Loss Supplements
(http://www.carefreehealthsource.com)
on
Fri, 6 Aug 10 - 12:00am
This is very good information for people with diabetes. We too are trying to provide people with diabetes alternative recipes and informative articles.
Posted by Helping educate people with diabetes
(http://www.alotofmedicalstuff.com)
on
Fri, 6 Aug 10 - 12:00am
It was a very informative blog. Thanks for sharing. I also want to share extra information about diabetes. Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States and in most parts of the globe. The World Health Organization reveals that at least 200 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, this accounts for 2.8% of the earth’s population! There are basically two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is defined differently and is due to insulin resistance or diminished insulin sensitivity. The abnormal response of body tissues to insulin involves a defect in the insulin receptors in cell membranes. Type 2 diabetes can also be the result of a metabolic strain on one’s system, often due to obesity and/or lack of exercise. Mangosteen supplements come in different forms. The juice form may contain sugar and other fruit extracts to improve its taste, which is harmful to diabetics. The production of mangosteen juice includes the process of pasteurization and reconstitution which significantly decrease the health benefits that diabetics are after. I hope that your reader find it helpful.
Kind Regards,
Elizabeth
Posted by Elizabeth Preventing Diabetes
(http://www.naturalhomecures.com/mangosteen/ailments/diabetes.html)
on
Fri, 6 Aug 10 - 12:00am
I have just started using Cinnamon on my porridge of a morning. I have type 2 diabetes and take 180 units of insulin per day - 90am & 90 pm + Nova Rapid. Since starting to include Cinnamon in my diet I have felt a whole new 'well-being.
Obesity and lack of exercise are still with me, but the way I am starting to feel, I am sure I can loose the 40kgs the GP & diabetic dietician have suggested.
Posted by Phillip Glanville
on
Wed, 11 Aug 10 - 12:00am
Diabetics will benefit greatly when eating a low glycemic diet balanced for their metabolic type. When a diabetic balances their proteins, carbs and fats the body does miraculous things, many times reducing the need for medication.
You can learn your metabolic type for free at our site.
RICK
Posted by Rick Lelchuk, WMA
(http://www.easydietforlife.com/free-metabolic-typing.html)
on
Fri, 27 Aug 10 - 12:00am
My problem is I just love cake but just maybe my cinnamon cakes are slightly healthy
12 0unces margarine
12 ounces dark brown sugar
5 eggs
12 ounces self raising flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tub glace cherries cut in halves
Does the cinnamon offset the rest? They are just moreish
Posted by Rick
(http://bthefit1.co.uk)
on
Tue, 31 Aug 10 - 12:00am
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