Cinnamon for diabetes

I've had a tea of cinnamon on a regular basis, and my blood sugar has also decreased many. Cinnamon tea helped to control my diabetes. I am just curious to know if this has been proved or tested.

-Rudy
Corpus Christi, Texas.

Answer:

There was some preliminary research on the effect of cinnamon sugar in the blood of humans but the studies were small and the findings must be confirmed by the greatest trials.

One of the first human studies was published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2003. Sixty people with diabetes type 2 have 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon as pills per day - an amount roughly equivalent to a quarter of a teaspoon of a teaspoon of cinnamon.

After 40 days, all 3 amounts cinnamon reduces blood glucose fasting 18 to 29%, the triglycerides of 23 to 30%, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) 7 to 27% and total cholesterol of 12 to 26%.

The concern with this study, however, because a couple of conclusions was atypical. For example, no there was no difference in benefits between the 3 doses of cinnamon. Also, people who normally take a placebo showed improvement, but this was not the case for this study.

Another study examined the effect of cinnamon on 79 people with type 2 diabetes who were not on insulin but was taking oral antidiabetic drugs or change their diet. They took about 3 grams of cinnamon or a placebo, 3 times per day for 4 months.

There was a significant reduction in blood glucose in people taking cinnamon compared with people taking placebo. Surprisingly, no there was no difference in the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), a test that measures how well blood sugar was controlled for 3 to 4 months.

In a study of 6 weeks on 25 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, women received 1.5 grams of cinnamon daily or placebo. No there was no effect on blood glucose, insulin sensitivity or cholesterol.

A very small Swedish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has examined the effect of cinnamon on 14 persons. People received only rice pudding or rice with cinnamon pudding. The researchers found that added cinnamon has lowered the rise regulate blood glucose levels compared to people who eat cinnamon.

Using cinnamon in the kitchen or having a cup of tea of cinnamon is a great way to add more of this delicious spices in your diet. There are a few precautions to be aware of when the use of cinnamon, although.

Taking cinnamon in large quantities or taking supplements may change the dosage of medications that you need.

Also, people who have been prescribed drugs to control their blood sugar should not reduce or stop their dose and make cinnamon instead, especially not to speak with a physician. Poorly treated diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as a heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and nerve damage.

Cinnamon Cassia, the sort of cinnamon found normally in grocery stores and as a supplement, naturally contains a compound called coumarin. Coumarin is also located in other plants such as celery, Chamomile, clover and parsley.

Levels, coumarin can damage the liver. Coumarin can also have a "blood thinner" effect, kind of cassia cinnamon supplements should not be taken with anticoagulant medication such as Coumadin (warfarin), or by people with bleeding disorders.

Cinnamon in a concentrated form of oil which comes from the bark of cinnamon can also be found. Some of these products are not intended for consumption, but instead, are used for oils essential aromatherapy. In addition, the oil is very powerful and an overdose can depress the central nervous system. People should not take the oil to treat a condition unless under the close supervision of a qualified health professional.

Pregnant women should avoid excessive amounts of cinnamon and not as a supplement to take.

More: Sources:

Hlebowicz J, Darwiche G, O, Almér LO Björgell. Effect of cinnamon on postprandial glycemia, gastric emptying and satiety in healthy subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85.6 (2007): 1552-1556.

Khan A, M, MM Ali Khan Khattak KN, Anderson RA Safdar. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with diabetes type 2. Diabetes care. functions (2003): 3215-3218.

(B) Mang, Wolters M, Schmitt B, Kalb K, Lichtinghagen R, Stichtenoth DO, Hahn a. effects of a cinnamon extract on blood glucose, HbA and serum lipid in type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 36.5 (2006): 340-344.

Vanschoonbeek K, Thomassen BJ, Senden JM, Wodzig WK, van Loon LJ. Cinnamon supplementation does not improve glycemic control in patients with postmenopausal type diabetes. Journal of Nutrition. 136.4 (2006): 977-980.

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