Does Cinnamon Help Manage Diabetes?
Cinnamon is a spice that has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes. Recently, cinnamon has become a hot topic in diabetes research with conflicting results. The studies have been based on the idea that cinnamon may help to lower blood sugar. How Cinnamon Might Lower Blood Sugar Studies showing cinnamon as an effective diabetic treatment have proposed that cinnamon may have an insulin-like effect on cells -- triggering cells to take glucose out of the blood -- or that cinnamon may cause an increase in the activity of the transporter proteins that move glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells. What the Research Says About Cinnamon and Blood Sugar In the 2000s, several studies showed conflicting results, with some studies pointing to a hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect of cinnamon and others showing no significant effect. But more recent research suggests that cinnamon may indeed help to lower blood sugar. A 2013 review of 10 randomized control trials (the strongest kind of study for nutrition research) suggests that ingesting cinnamon does, in fact, lower fasting blood sugars, as well as total cholesterol. How to Add Cinnamon to Your Diet In the randomized controlled trials, people were given between 120 mg/day to 6 g/day for 4 to 18 weeks. That's the equivalent of between a small fraction of a teaspoon to two teaspoons per day. Adding a small amount of cinnamon to your daily diet--by sprinkling it on oatmeal, or using it to spice up a Mexican chili--can't hurt and may help. But as with any supplement, check with your healthcare professional before taking cinnamon in larger doses. Things to Consider Before Taking Cinnamon for Diabetes As with all dietary supplements, it should be noted that supplements are not regulated by the FDA, leaving the Continue reading >>
Cinnamon For Diabetes? A Half Teaspoon A Day Could Help Control Cholesterol
Researchers have been investigating a number of powerful natural agents that can help you stabilize your blood sugar, and once again, cinnamon has proven itself as a viable contender in the fight against diabetes, as the study in Diabetic Medicine reveals.(1) One of cinnamon’s most impressive health benefits is its ability to improve blood glucose control. For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has previously been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. (2) The more you can make use of natural therapies such as nutrition and exercise, the better your health will be. However, as helpful as supplements like cinnamon can be, they should not be misconstrued as cures. They are not substitutes for proper diet and lifestyle choices. You cannot properly address your diabetes if you still maintain a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices — cinnamon supplementation or not! How Cinnamon Can Benefit Diabetics Below are five known ways cinnamon can be helpful to your metabolism: 1. Cinnamon can increase your glucose metabolism about 20-fold, which significantly improves blood sugar regulation. (4) 2. Cinnamon has been found to have “insulin-like effects” due to a bioactive compound, qualifying it as a candidate for an insulin substitute. 3. Cinnamon slows the emptying of your stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals, and improves the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin. 4. Cinnamon actually enhances your antioxidant defenses. A study published in 2009 stated, “Polyphenols from cinnamon could be of special interest in people who are overweight with impaired fasting glucose since they might act as both insulin sensitizers a Continue reading >>
How To Use Cinnamon To Help With Diabetes
Reader Approved Three Methods:Incorporating Cinnamon Into Your DietAdding a Cinnamon Supplement to Your Treatment RegimenUnderstanding Why Cinnamon Helps with DiabetesCommunity Q&A Cinnamon is not only a spice packed with healthful antioxidants. It can also be used to help diabetics control their blood glucose levels. While it should not completely replace other treatments, consult your physician about adding to your treatment regimen. 1 Use cinnamon to replace sugar. Because cinnamon is so flavorful, it can often replace small amounts of sugar in stove-top recipes, sauces, meat, and vegetable dishes. Replacing a sweetener with this spice can help reduce the amount of sugar you consume and improve your blood glucose levels. Cinnamon is considered safe when used in the amounts normally found as foods-- this works out to roughly ½ to 1 teaspoon or about 1000 mg per day. 2 Add cinnamon to your breakfast. For instance, stir cinnamon and a small amount of agave nectar into oatmeal in the morning, adding berries and nuts to make it an even more nutritious breakfast. Or top off buttered whole grain toast with a dash of cinnamon and a sprinkle of a crystallized sweetener like Stevia or Splenda. Cinnamon also goes well with peanut butter or sugar-free jam on toast. 3 Use cinnamon in meat sauces. Cinnamon pairs well with poultry, pork, and beef spice rubs as well as Asian-themed dishes, marinades, and salad dressings. Mixing to taste, replace some of the sugar or brown sugar with cinnamon for homemade barbecue sauces, pulled pork marinade, berry compotes, and even marinara sauces. 4 Replace sugar in vegetable dishes. Use cinnamon in place of brown sugar or regular sugar in candied vegetable dishes, such as candied yams, baby carrots, or sweet stir fry. Cinnamon lends a complex, Continue reading >>
The Cozy Comforts And Blood Sugar Benefits Of Cinnamon
With the fall season finally upon us, many of you will soon be snuggling up in front of a fire and sipping the warming comforts of your favorite tea. This time of year I especially love the smell and taste of cinnamon. I use cinnamon in hot and cold drinks, as well as in my dehydrated goodies. The scent of cinnamon seems to linger throughout the house and just smells so relaxing. It is definitely a “feel good and comfy” type of scent. The smell of cinnamon triggers wonderful memories of previous holiday gatherings with my family. It also reminds me that the present holidays are just around the corner. Did you know that along with the inviting aroma and taste, cinnamon is also an incredibly healthy spice? It is! So let’s talk a bit about the health benefits of cinnamon! First, where does Cinnamon come from? Cinnamon is a spice that is actually made from bark! Strips of inner bark are cut from the Cinnamomum tree. When you see cinnamon sticks, you are actually looking at strips of bark that have curled into rolls as the cinnamon was dried during processing. Cinnamon can be used in that stick form, or can be made into an extract or ground into powder. Cinnamon also contains essential oils. You can purchase it as an essential oil as well as use it for its wonderful scent at any time of the year. It is also available in capsule form. What are the healthy components of cinnamon? The unique health properties of cinnamon are thought to come from its essential oils and certain compounds it contains. In particular. its active component is cinnamaldehyde. Stabilizes blood sugar Cinnamaldehyde is thought to be responsible for the stabilizing effect of cinnamon on blood sugar. It has been found to lower blood sugar levels as well. I’ll talk much more about its effect on bloo Continue reading >>
Cinnamon And Diabetes
Tweet Cinnamon is a sweet but pungent spice that is derived from the inner bark of the branches of wild cinnamon trees, which grow in tropical areas across Southeast Asia, South America and the Caribbean. The use of cinnamon dates back thousands of years and was highly prized among many ancient civilisations. Cinnamon, often used in cooking and baking, is increasingly being linked to improvements in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Research has suggested that cinnamon can help to improve blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity. How does cinnamon affect diabetes? Results from a clinical study published in the Diabetes Care journal in 2003 suggest that cassia cinnamon (cinnamon bark) improves blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and may reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. [71] A daily intake of just 1, 3, or 6 grams was shown to reduce serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL or bad cholesterol and total cholesterol after 40 days among 60 middle-aged diabetics. Another study reported in the July 2000 edition of Agricultural Research Magazine found that consuming just 1g of cinnamon per day can increase insulin sensitivity and help manage or reverse type 2 diabetes. [72] In addition, more recent analysis published in 2007 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 6g of cinnamon slows stomach emptying and significantly reduces hyperglycemia after meals (postprandial blood glucose) without affecting satiety. As a result of the scientific evidence available, many health experts claim that cinnamon contains properties that are beneficial for blood sugar regulation and treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, bear in mind that like many natural compounds cinnamon is ye Continue reading >>
Original Article Cinnamon Extract Lowers Glucose, Insulin And Cholesterol In People With Elevated Serum Glucose
Abstract Cinnamon (肉桂 ròu guì) has in vitro insulin potentiating activity, and proanthocyanidins from cinnamon prevent in vitro formation of advanced glycation end products. Some human studies were equivocal, but several have shown beneficial effects of cinnamon supplementation on circulating glucose, lipids, and/or insulin. This placebo-controlled double-blind trial tested the effects of a dried water extract of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) on circulating glucose, lipids, insulin, and insulin resistance. Men and women from Beijing and Dalian, China, were invited to participate if they had fasting serum glucose >6.1 mmol/L or 2-h glucose >7.8 mmol/L. Participants, (173 were enrolled and 137 completed the study) were randomly assigned to receive either a spray-dried, water extract of cinnamon (CinSulin®), 250 mg/capsule, or a placebo, twice a day for two months. Mean ± SEM age of participants was 61.3 ± 0.8 years, BMI was 25.3 ± 0.3 and M/F ratio was 65/72. After 2 mo, fasting glucose decreased (p < 0.001) in the cinnamon extract-supplemented group (8.85 ± 0.36 to 8.19 ± 0.29 mmol/L) compared with the placebo group (8.57 ± 0.32 to 8.44 ± 0.34 mmol/L, p = 0.45). Glucose 2 h after a 75 g carbohydrate load, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR also decreased with cinnamon extract compared with placebo. Total and LDL-cholesterol decreased with cinnamon extract and HDL-cholesterol decreased in both the cinnamon-extract and placebo groups. In conclusion, supplementation with 500 mg of water-extract of cinnamon for two months reduced fasting insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and enhanced insulin sensitivity of subjects with elevated blood glucose. Continue reading >>
Stabilize Your Blood Sugar With Cinnamon
I love the aroma of cinnamon, and its health benefits make it one of my favorite spices. Cinnamon has been used since ancient times to aid digestion, and a teaspoon has more antioxidants than half a cup of blueberries. Plus, studies show that cinnamon helps blunt the rise in blood sugar that can occur when you eat a carbohydrate-rich meal—good news, since a spike in blood sugar raises levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factors, which may increase the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers. Take 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon infused in hot water 3 times a day to ease indigestion, or 2 to 4 teaspoons daily to see an impact on blood sugar levels. Both true cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum or C. verum) and cassia (C. cassia) are sold as "cinnamon." If you take more than 1 to 2 teaspoons, get true cinnamon, such as Frontier Organic Fair Trade Cinnamon ($6.50; frontiercoop.com); cassia contains coumarin, a compound that in large amounts can adversely affect the liver. Spice it up Two new ways to add cinnamon to your diet: 1. Sprinkle a teaspoon over ground coffee before brewing. Research shows that hot-water extraction (the process that occurs when you brew coffee or make cinnamon tea) is one of the best ways to get the good stuff out of the spice. 2. Dust 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon on apple slices and place in a container for an after-lunch treat; the spice prevents fruit from browning. Send your questions for Dr. Low Dog to [email protected]. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is the author of Life Is Your Best Medicine. Continue reading >>
How Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar And Fights Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease characterized by abnormally high blood sugar. If poorly controlled, it can lead to complications like heart disease, kidney disease and nerve damage. Treatment often includes medications and insulin injections, but many people are also interested in foods that can help lower blood sugar. One such example is cinnamon, a commonly used spice that’s added to sweet and savory dishes around the world. It provides many health benefits, including the ability to lower blood sugar and help manage diabetes. This article tells you everything you need to know about cinnamon and its effects on blood sugar control and diabetes. What Is Cinnamon? Cinnamon is an aromatic spice derived from the bark of several species of Cinnamomum trees. While you may associate cinnamon with rolls or breakfast cereals, it has actually been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and food preservation. To obtain cinnamon, the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees must be removed. Consuming 500 mg of cinnamon extract daily for 12 weeks decreased a marker of oxidative stress by 14% in adults with prediabetes. The bark then undergoes a drying process that causes it to curl up and yield cinnamon sticks, or quills, which can be further processed into powdered cinnamon. Several different varieties of cinnamon are sold in the US, and they are typically categorized by two different types: Ceylon: Also called “true cinnamon,” it’s the most expensive type. Cassia: Less expensive and found in most food products containing cinnamon. While both types are sold as cinnamon, there are important differences between the two, which will be discussed later in this article. Summary: Cinnamon is made from the dried bark of Cinnamomum trees and is generally categorized into two varieties. It Continue reading >>
Cinnamon: King For Regulating Blood Sugar – But Which Kind Is Best?
It’s widely known in the world of natural health that cinnamon can be effective at regulating blood sugar, making it a natural and healthy option for the millions of diabetics in the US and abroad. In fact, cinnamon for diabetes treatment is often viewed as one of the most simple, effective solutions. But not all ‘cinnamons’ are created equal. The kind you find in your local grocery store may be able to reduce your blood sugar, but a more expensive variety could be even better. Cassia cinnamon is the kind of cinnamon you likely have in your kitchen right now. It’s more abundant and is the type sold in most grocery stores. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum ), however, is a milder cousin to Cassia, and may be safer to take in higher doses. Ceylon comes from a small tree native to Sri Lanka, whereas Cassia cinnamon can come from China, Indonesia, and a handful of other countries. Cassia has a stronger, “hotter” flavor and is darker in color. Ana Sortun, executive chef of Oleana restaurant in Cambridge, Mass. says Ceylon has “lighter, brighter citrus tones.” One meta analysis on cinnamon published earlier this year in the journal Annals of Family Medicine found that cinnamon can lower blood sugar and cholesterol in humans significantly, but the type of cinnamon studied was ceylon, as opposed to the ‘safer’ cassia. The analysis included 10 studies and a total of 543 patients. Doses in the studies ranged from 120 milligrams a day to six grams. Most of the research on the benefits of cinnamon has been conducted on the more common variety, Cassia. These studies have indicated the spice’s ability to reduce blood sugar moderately—about 3 to 5%. The only problem with this, some say, is in heavy doses Cassia cinnamon can be toxic to Continue reading >>
Cinnamon For Diabetes
The use of cinnamon to help treat diabetes remains controversial. We know that cinnamon is so good at controlling one’s blood sugar that you can cheat on a diabetes test by consuming two teaspoons of cinnamon the night before your glucose tolerance test. That’s where they make you drink some sugar water to see how well your body can keep your blood sugar levels under control, and if you eat those two teaspoons right when the test starts or 12 hours before you can significantly blunt the spike. Even a teaspoon a day appears to make a significant difference. A review of the best studies done to date found that the intake of cinnamon by type 2 diabetics or prediabetics does lower their blood glucose significantly. So what’s the controversy? Well, as I described in my video The Safer Cinnamon, cassia cinnamon, also known as Chinese cinnamon (probably what you’re getting at the store if it just says “cinnamon”) contains a compound called coumarin which may be toxic to the liver at high doses. Originally the concern was mainly for kids during Christmas-time where they might get an above average exposure, but more recently some researchers suggest that kids just sprinkling some cassia cinnamon on their oatmeal a few times a week might exceed the recommended safety limit. As you can see in my 5-min video Update on Cinnamon for Blood Sugar Control just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a few times a week may be too much for little kids, and if they’re eating that cinnamon-sprinkled oatmeal more like every day they can bump up against the limit for adults. So a teaspoon a day of cassia cinnamon might be too much for anyone, but can’t we just switch from cassia cinnamon to Ceylon cinnamon and get the benefits without the potential risks? Without the risks, yes, but we Continue reading >>
Cinnamon: Can Eating Apple Pie Lower Your Blood Sugar?
Is it possible that eating apple pie can actually lower your blood sugar? The answer is yes, but ONLY if it contains this one critical ingredient. The idea of using this special ingredient medicinally is far from new. Chinese, Ayurvedic and naturopathic medicine all utilize it for a variety of conditions, including nausea, bloating, GI upset, and libido enhancement. However, it was the accidental discovery of its benefits for treating and preventing type 2 diabetes that has made this special ingredient one of the world’s most celebrated spices. You may be surprised to learn that this special ingredient is something that you’ve likely used dozens, if not hundreds of times before: cinnamon. Dr. Anderson’s Accidental Discovery… While cinnamon was deemed to be more precious than gold by the ancient Egyptians and considered to be a gift fit for a king by the Romans and Greeks, it was Dr. Richard Anderson, a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who made this sweet spice truly valuable. Dr. Anderson was trying to discover the effect that apple pie had on blood sugar levels. In fact, he was hoping to show that apple pie would dramatically increase blood glucose levels. Instead, they were lowered1. Yep, lowered…as in, eat dessert and decrease your glucose levels. Dr. Anderson was as baffled as you likely are. How on earth could a sweet, baked pie lower blood sugar levels? He quickly realized that it was the cinnamon in the apple pie that was responsible for the lowering of blood glucose levels by acting on the true underlying cause of type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon Improves Insulin Sensitivity… More specifically, Dr. Anderson discovered that cinnamon contains a polyphenol called methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP)2 that can improve the metabolism of glucose Continue reading >>
How Cinnamon Can Control Your Blood Sugar
Slowly and secretively, your blood-sugar levels can creep up. When that happens, you might notice that you feel sluggish, hungrier than usual or have blurred vision. Or maybe you don’t realize it until after a blood test reveals that your glucose levels have spiked. High blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia, can result from a diet rich in carbohydrates and sugar. A sedentary lifestyle with little exercise is also a culprit. However, even people who try to eat healthily and stay active can see their blood sugar levels spike because of stress, an infection or other medical reasons. Many people’s blood sugar levels increase as they get older. That’s because aging is associated with a potentially hazardous decline in how efficiently our body regulates our blood sugar levels. If left unchecked, high blood sugar could lead to some of the most-undesirable diseases known to man, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A healthy diet and active lifestyle are the two most important factors in keeping your blood sugar at a healthy level. But there are ways to bolster this process even further, my favorite being cinnamon. A Half-Teaspoon a Day … Not only is cinnamon delicious, but it’s proven to be one of the best natural ways to effectively manage blood sugar levels. For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels and triglycerides. Another study found that the spice increased glucose metabolism by about 20 times, which would significantly improve your ability to regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon has even previously been indicated as a potential insulin substitute for those with Type 2 diabetes due to a bioactive component with "insulin-like" effects. This spice can also lower your blood sugar by acting in severa Continue reading >>
Welcome To Living Healthy With Diabetes
Medical evidence shows some correlation between cinnamon and blood sugar levels. By itself, cinnamon can effectively regulate blood sugar levels in most diabetics. However, a combination of cinnamon and insulin might be necessary to keep blood glucose levels within the range recommended by doctors. If you cannot take insulin or have not achieved your desired results, cinnamon can be beneficial. A dose ranging from one to six grams needs to be consumed everyday if you want to use cinnamon as a diabetes management method. You should treat your diabetes symptoms with cinnamon only after you have confirmed that this is an acceptable method in your case. Although cinnamon has qualities that help to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics, it is not a commonly recommended diabetic management tool. Cinnamon as a blood sugar regulator is tied to holistic medicine rather than a method used in traditional Western medicine. Effectiveness of Cinnamon Cinnamon can lower blood glucose levels; however, its effectiveness depends on mitigating factors. Diabetics who are overweight, have extremely high blood sugar readings and do not exercise will not likely get much benefit from cinnamon. Many patients with borderline diabetes and pre-diabetes symptoms can successfully use cinnamon to manage their diabetes as an alternative to insulin. Since the majority of diabetics use insulin shots as their main method of diabetes management, cinnamon actually works to enhance results. In the event that your blood glucose levels are on the higher side of the normal range, using cinnamon can make a big difference. The Interaction of Cinnamon and Insulin Medical researchers do not state if potential complications can happen when using insulin and cinnamon together. Of course, extremely high dosages of Continue reading >>
Let’s Balance Blood Sugar With Cinnamon!
Much to my delight it actually felt like fall yesterday! Right at the beginning of what is supposed to be one of the hottest months of the year! After weeks of unbearable heat here in the Midwest, it was a welcome relief. I pulled out my Doctor Cinnamon Tea and made a whole pitcher of it for us to enjoy. Something about cooler weather puts me in the mood for warming herbs, and cinnamon is definitely one of those! As I made the tea I was reminded of how you can balance blood sugar with cinnamon! In fact, just 1/2 teaspoon a day can help! However, if you actually struggle with blood sugar balance or diabetes, a slightly larger amount would likely be necessary. [1] Most people enjoy the taste of cinnamon, so it’s easy to use it to lower blood sugar. You can take cinnamon before eating that sugary dessert, and not suffer as much from the side effects! Research shows that cinnamon improves those with type 2 diabetes by helping them respond to insulin, which helps normalize blood sugar levels. [1] It stimulates insulin receptors, thus improving the cell’s ability to use glucose. It also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. One study was conducted using apple pie. The scientists expected the pie to have an adverse affect on sugar levels, but found the blood glucose levels to be actually lower! Why? Because the pie contained cinnamon! [2] Another study was conducted with 60 patients that had type 2 adult diabetes for several years and were taking anti-diabetic drugs. They were given cinnamon for 40 days. They found that the cinnamon reduced blood sugar levels and increased the natural production of insulin. It also lowered their blood cholesterol. [3] Cinnamon also helps boost brain function by boosting brain activity. [1] You want to buy quality cinnamon – not the seaso Continue reading >>
Why Cinnamon Is Insanely Good For You
TIME Health For more, visit TIME Health. Scientists have long suspected that cinnamon can help prevent blood-sugar spikes and protect against insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes. But how, exactly, has remained a mystery—and while some studies have suggested a strong effect, others have been inconclusive. New research presented Saturday at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting suggests a potential mechanism for these effects, lending support to the idea of cinnamon as a metabolic powerhouse. In fact, researchers say, the spice’s benefits may extend far beyond blood-sugar control. Amy Stockert, associate professor of biochemistry at Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy, has been studying cinnamon for years. In 2012, her research showed that type 2 diabetics who took daily cinnamon supplements saw greater reductions in blood sugar than those who took a placebo. Some of these effects lasted even after participants stopped taking the supplements, says Stockert, which suggested that lasting changes had been triggered at the cellular level. “We started to suspect that one of the proteins involved in gene expression was being influenced by cinnamon,” she says. Her new research, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, focuses on Sirtuin-1 (also called Sirt-1)—a protein that’s active in insulin regulation. “We know that Sirt-1 acts on another protein that affects how glucose is transported,” says, “so it made sense that it might be the key player.” Scientists know that Sirt-1 is activated by resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine that’s been touted for its anti-aging and cholesterol-lowering properties. Cinnamon contains similar compounds, known as phenols, which Stocke Continue reading >>
