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 >>
Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. When these cells don't work properly, the body can no longer produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes therefore require lifelong insulin therapy. Other medications and lifestyle changes may also help people manage the disease. Insulin Delivery Insulin cannot be taken orally because the stomach's digestive juices will destroy the hormone. It must instead be taken by injection, using an insulin pen or a syringe, or through an insulin pump. Computerized insulin pumps have digital displays and are about the size of a cell phone. They also consist of an insulin reservoir and a catheter that is usually inserted into abdominal fat with a needle (it can also be inserted into the hips, thighs, buttocks, or arms). The pump continuously injects a pre-programmed small amount of insulin into the body (known as basal insulin), and the user programs a higher dose whenever food is eaten (known as a bolus dose of insulin). There's also a rapid-acting form of insulin, Afrezza, that can be inhaled through the mouth using an inhaler. Types of Insulin There are several different types of insulin, which vary based on how quickly they start working, when they peak in action, and how long they last. Rapid-acting insulin, such as Afrezza, Humalog (insulin lispro), Apidra (insulin glulisine), and Novo Rapid and NovoLog (insulin aspart), starts working about 15 minutes after administration, peaks after about one hour, and continues to work for two to four hours, according to the American Diabetes Association. Regular (short-acting) insulin, such as Humulin R and Novolin R, starts working after about 30 minutes, peaks after two to three hours, and continues to work for three to six hours. Continue reading >>
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14 Amazing Herbs That Lower Blood Sugar
We live in a world where prescription medicine is getting more and more expensive as well as controversial. Alternative medicine is gaining momentum and with good reason! The same is true for treatments for diabetes type 2. You have therapies that can reverse diabetes through lifestyle and diet changes, natural supplements that can help stabilize blood sugar levels, and also herbs that lower blood sugar. Not only are these alternative therapies safer, but they are also easier on your pocket, on your body and mind. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is necessary for the body’s overall health. Erratic blood sugar levels can affect the body’s ability to function normally and even lead to complications if left unchecked. Some herbs and spices found in nature do a tremendous job of naturally lowering blood sugar levels, making them a boon for diabetics and pre-diabetics. What’s more, being nature’s multi-taskers, herbs and spices also produce overall health benefits beyond just helping balance blood sugar. We want to clarify one thing right away – not everything on our list can be classified as ‘herbs’. However, they are all from natural sources. Herbs come from the leafy and green part of the plant. Spices are parts of the plant other than the leafy bit, such as the root, stem, bulb, bark or seeds. RELATED: Decoding The Dawn Phenomenon (High Morning Blood Sugar) With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best herbs that lower blood sugar, along with a few spices thrown in, to give you a more comprehensive list. Please note that while we normally do not use animal studies to support any dietary supplement, several herbs like garlic and ginger are considered ‘food’ and so, are used traditionally by cultures across the world in their daily diet Continue reading >>
Which Supplements Can Help Lower Or Control My Blood Sugar?
Question: Answer: Many different supplements may help lower or control blood sugar in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who experience hyperglycemia (when blood glucose rises higher than normal). These supplements are discussed below. More details about each, including dosage, drug interactions, potential side effects, and ConsumerLab.com's reviews of products on the market, can be found by clicking on the links. Due to the seriousness of hyperglycemia, it is important to consult with your physician regarding use of these supplements. Cinnamon supplements may modestly improve blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not well controlled with medication. In addition, one small study found that a branded cinnamon extract reduced fasting blood sugar by an average of about 10 mg/dL in prediabetic men and women with metabolic syndrome. Keep in mind, however, that only certain varieties of cinnamon have been shown to have this effect, and long-term safety studies have not been conducted. Curcumin (from turmeric) may improve blood sugar levels, according to preliminary studies, and one study found curcumin to dramatically lower the chances of prediabetes in middle-aged, slightly overweight men and women with somewhat higher than normal blood sugar levels. Alpha lipoic acid may improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, although it may only slightly reduce levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Chromium picolinate may help some people with type 2 diabetes decrease fasting blood glucose levels as well as levels of insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). However, be aware that high doses may worsen insulin sensitivity in healthy people who are not obese or diabetic. Having adequate blood levels of vi Continue reading >>
Cinnamon And Diabetes: Effect On Blood Sugar And Overall Health
People with diabetes often face dietary restrictions to control their blood sugar and prevent complications. Although research is in a preliminary stage, cinnamon may help fight some symptoms of diabetes. It is also unlikely to cause blood pressure spikes, or disrupt blood sugar. So, people with diabetes who miss a sweet pop of flavor may find that cinnamon is a good replacement for sugar. Can cinnamon affect blood sugar? Cinnamon has shown promise in the treatment of blood sugar, as well as some other diabetes symptoms. Research on the effects of cinnamon on blood sugar in diabetes is mixed and in the early stages. Most studies have been very small, so more research is necessary. People with diabetes who are interested in herbal remedies, however, may be surprised to learn that doctors are serious about the potential for cinnamon to address some diabetes symptoms. A 2003 study published in Diabetes Care, compared the effects of a daily intake of 1, 3, and 6 grams (g) of cinnamon with a group that received a placebo for 40 days. All three levels of cinnamon intake reduced blood sugar levels and cholesterol. The effects were seen even 20 days after participants were no longer taking cinnamon. A small 2016 study of 25 people, published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, found that cinnamon may be beneficial for people with poorly controlled diabetes. Participants consumed 1 g of cinnamon for 12 weeks. The result was a reduction in fasting blood sugar levels. However, a 2013 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine had a different result. The study, which used a more reliable method, had slightly more participants, at 70. The researchers found that 1 g of cinnamon per day for 30 days and 60 days offered no improvements in blo Continue reading >>
Diabetes Treatment: Can Cinnamon Lower Blood Sugar?
Is it true that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes? Answers from M. Regina Castro, M.D. Whether cinnamon can lower blood sugar is a topic of debate — but some research suggests that cinnamon may be helpful as a supplement to regular diabetes treatment in people with type 2 diabetes. A 2012 review of several recent studies concluded that the use of cinnamon had a potentially beneficial effect on glycemic control. One study published in 2009 found that a 500 mg capsule of cinnamon taken twice a day for 90 days improved hemoglobin A1C levels — a reflection of average blood sugar level for the past two to three months — in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (hemoglobin A1C levels greater than 7 percent). More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine how cinnamon supplementation could lead to these benefits. One theory is that cinnamon increases insulin action. If you have diabetes, remember that treatment is a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and, sometimes, diabetes medications or insulin therapy. Consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your diabetes treatment plan. Continue reading >>
Cinnamon For Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all cases of diabetes. In this form of the disease, which occurs most often in children and young adults, the body does not produce any insulin; people with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Some evidence suggests that cinnamon might help people with the much more common type 2 diabetes (in which the pancreas still produces insulin, but cells become resistant to it), but not those with type 1. The first study suggesting that cinnamon might help control blood sugar (and cholesterol) was published in the December, 2003, issue of Diabetes Care. Done in Pakistan, it ran for only 40 days and included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes. It showed that one, three, or six grams of cinnamon daily, divided into two doses (that amounts to between a quarter of a teaspoon to one teaspoon a day), lowered fasting glucose by 18 to 29 percent, triglycerides by 23 to 30 percent, LDL cholesterol by 7 to 27 percent, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26 percent. Since that first small study made news nearly seven years ago, other researchers have tried to confirm its findings. A German study published in 2006 compared effects in 79 patients with type 2 diabetes, half of whom took a placebo and half of whom received 3 grams of cinnamon daily for four months. Fasting glucose levels dropped by about 7 percent more in the cinnamon group, but the researchers saw no difference between the two groups in LDL or HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or average blood sugar over the four-month period. An even smaller study published in 2006 found no improvements due to cinnamon, and in 2008, the journal Diabetes Care published an analysis of all the cinnamon studies and found no improvements in blood su Continue reading >>
Is Cinnamon Good For Diabetes?
Chances are you have a bottle of cinnamon in your spice cupboard. And chances are you never thought of cinnamon as medicine. However, cinnamon has been used medicinally since ancient times. This popular spice was used in ancient Egypt, China, and India for culinary and medicinal purposes, and its use has also been documented in the Bible. There are two types of cinnamon: Ceylon and cassia, both derived from the bark of evergreen trees. Ceylon cinnamon is grown in South America, Southeast Asia, and the West Indies, while cassia cinnamon is grown in Central America, China, and Indonesia. Ceylon cinnamon bark looks like tightly rolled scrolls, while cassia cinnamon is more loosely rolled. Cassia is the variety most commonly sold in the United States. Most people think of cinnamon as a flavoring for desserts or as a warm, robust scent for candles and potpourri. But this spice may do more than make your house smell good. Cinnamon has been shown to help lower blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2003 looked at 60 men and women with Type 2 diabetes who were taking diabetes pills. The participants took either 1, 3, or 6 grams of cassia cinnamon or a placebo, in capsule form, for 40 days. After this time, blood glucose levels dropped between 18% and 29% in all three groups that received cinnamon. However, only the participants who had taken the smallest amount of cinnamon (1 gram) continued to have improved blood glucose levels 20 days after they stopped taking it, for reasons the researchers didn’t quite understand. In the study, cinnamon also helped lower triglycerides (a blood lipid) and LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels. The benefits continued after 60 days, 20 days after participants had stopped taking Continue reading >>
10 Foods That Lower Blood Sugars In Diabetics
While a low carb diet appears to be useful on the whole, there are also many foods shown to help. Either by lowering blood sugars and/or improving insulin sensitivity. This articles looks at 10 of the best foods and supplements for lowering blood sugars, based on current research. Just know they should never be used in place of your diabetes medication, but rather alongside. 1. Resistant Starch Lowers Sugars After Meals Starches are long chains of glucose (sugar) found in oats, grains, bananas, potatoes and various other foods. Some varieties pass through digestion unchanged and are not absorbed as sugar into the blood. These are known as resistant starch. Many studies show resistant starch can greatly improve insulin sensitivity. That is, how well the body can move sugar out of the blood and into cells for energy. This is why it’s so useful for lowering blood sugar levels after meals (1, 2). The effect is so great that having resistant starch at lunch will reduce blood sugar spikes at dinner, known as the “second meal effect” (3). Problem is many foods high in resistant starch, such as potatoes, are also high in digestible carbs that can spike blood sugar. Therefore resistant starch in supplement form – without the extra carbs – is recommended. Summary: Supplemental resistant starch is a fantastic option for those struggling to control sugars or have hit a plateau. 2. Ceylon Cinnamon Several cinnamon compounds appear to prevent the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, minimising blood sugar spikes. It may also dramatically improve insulin sensitivity (4, 5). In a recent clinical trial, 25 poorly-controlled type 2 diabetics received either 1 gram per day of cinnamon or placebo (dummy supplement) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood sugar levels in the cinnamon gro Continue reading >>
Does Cinnamon Help Diabetes?
It’s fine to sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or use it in baking. Go ahead and enjoy it if you like its taste. But if you hope that it will help you manage your diabetes, you might want to pause before you head to your spice rack. It's not yet clear if cinnamon is good for diabetes. Research findings have been mixed, and the American Diabetes Association dismisses cinnamon’s use in diabetes treatment. Several small studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels. Some of this work shows it may curb blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance. In one study, volunteers ate from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days. (One gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon.) The researchers found that cinnamon cut cholesterol by about 18% and blood sugar levels by 24%. But in other studies, the spice did not lower blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Unless you have liver damage, it should be OK for you to enjoy it in food. If you do have liver problems, be careful, because large amounts of cinnamon may make them worse. you might like If you are considering cinnamon supplements, talk with your doctor first, especially if you take any medication. Also, look for brands labeled with a quality seal. These include the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, or Consumerlab seal. This helps assure that the supplement actually has the ingredients stated on the label and doesn't have any contaminants or potentially harmful ingredients. Unlike medications, supplement makers don't have to prove their products are safe or effective. But the FDA can order a supplement off the market if it proves it's unsafe. Use caution if you also take other supplements that lower blood sugar levels, including: Bitter melon Devil's claw Fenugreek Garlic Horse chestnut Panax Siberian ginseng The s 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 (1). 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. 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. 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. Cinnamon is made from the dried bark of Cinnamomum trees and is generally categorized into two varieties. A quick glance at cinnamon's nutrition facts may not lead you to believe that it's a superfood (2). But while it doesn't contain a lot of vitamins or minerals, it d Continue reading >>
The Effect Of Cinnamon On A1c Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Abstract OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cinnamon on glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Using a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 72 adolescent type 1 diabetic subjects were treated in an outpatient setting with cinnamon (1 g/day) or an equivalent-appearing placebo for 90 days. A1C, total daily insulin intake, and adverse events were recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS—There were no significant differences in final A1C (8.8 vs. 8.7, P = 0.88), change in A1C (0.3 vs. 0.0, P = 0.13), total daily insulin intake, or number of hypoglycemic episodes between the cinnamon and placebo arms. CONCLUSIONS—Cinnamon is not effective for improving glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Basic scientists and clinical researchers have been investigating the possibility that cinnamon improves glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Anderson et al. (1) suggested that doubly linked, water-soluble A-type polymers, possibly misidentified earlier as methylhydroxychalcone polymers (2), are the active compounds. Several in vitro investigations reported the insulin-sensitizing effect of cinnamon (1–4). Using a rat model, Qin et al. (5) postulated that cinnamon acts by “[potentiating] the insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR-β [insulin receptor-β] and IRS-1 [insulin receptor substrate-1] and the IRS-1 association with PI [phosphoinositol] 3-kinase.” Jarvill-Taylor et al. (2) observed that when cinnamon and insulin were combined in vitro, the effect was greater than was expected, implying a synergistic relationship. Additionally, Kim et al. (6) proposed that cinnamon acts by increasing endogenous insulin production, rather than by a target-b Continue reading >>
Does Cinnamon Lower Blood Sugar & Help You Fight Diabetes?
Cinnamon is one of the most aromatic, in the spices family. As you know, it is widely used in preparations of mouth-watering desserts and many other cuisines that are consumed daily. Apart from its unparalleled taste, cinnamon also bears some crucial medicinal values. It is rich in manganese, iron, copper and zinc. Not only does cinnamon spice up your food but also can provide you with significant health benefits. One of which is lowering blood sugar. People suffering from diabetes face raised levels of blood sugar. Their insulin levels and functioning gets disturbed, hence, the high blood sugar levels. So does cinnamon lower blood sugar? Scientists through their researches conclude that cinnamon works to lower down blood sugar level and helps in Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes, no significant results are obtained. You must be wondering, how does cinnamon lower blood sugar level? So, let me get into the science of it a little bit. First of all, let’s understand what exactly is Type 2 diabetes. This is also known as Diabetes Mellitus. It is essentially a progressive illness where the body starts becoming insulin resistant or can completely stop producing insulin. Insulin regulates the sugar level in your blood. It facilitates the organs to absorb glucose from the blood thereby lowering or regulating the glucose level in blood. Thus, when there is no insulin, there is no signalling for glucose absorption from blood. Cinnamon is found to have shown significant results in improving insulin sensitivity in blood. Because of this, it can very well bring down the sugar level in your body. To be precise, the Cassia variety of cinnamon is found to be effective in lowering blood sugar level. Different types of cinnamon Cinnamon comes from the bark of trees. It is harvested m Continue reading >>
Cinnamon And Diabetes: An Update
About nine years ago (way back in 2006), I wrote about cinnamon and diabetes. To this date, people still ask questions and post comments about this topic. Since then, more research is available that (hopefully) sheds more light on whether cinnamon lowers blood sugars and HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar control over the previous 2–3 months) — or not. Let’s take a look at where things stand in 2015. Back then A study that I cited in 2006 was one published in the journal Diabetes Care back in 2003 by Khan et al. The researchers gave different doses (1, 3, or 6 grams) of cassia cinnamon to subjects with Type 2 diabetes for 40 days. All three groups of subjects had an improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, as well as their lipid (blood fat) levels. As a result of this study, many people have jumped on the cinnamon bandwagon, so to speak, taking cinnamon supplements, adding cinnamon sticks to tea, and sprinkling cinnamon on their foods. In addition, much debate has occurred regarding the type of cinnamon that’s best to use for diabetes: cassia or ceylon. Where we are now Khan’s study certainly created a firestorm and has led to more research on the use of cinnamon for diabetes management. The tricky issues around studying cinnamon are that: • There are different types of cinnamon, primarily cassia and ceylon. • It’s difficult to assess the potency of any particular “batch” of cinnamon, no matter the type. • The active ingredient or ingredients in cinnamon that might have a glucose-lowering effect have yet to be identified. Without definitive answers to these issues, it’s hard to be certain of the role of cinnamon on glucose control. Much of the “evidence” is anecdotal: Someone reports that taking cinnamon helped to lower his blood sugar, Continue reading >>
Cinnamon For Diabetes: Does It Really Help?
Over the past couple of days, we’ve been discussing several diabetes-related topics but what about one of the most important ones, especially when it comes to keeping us type 1 diabetics alive. No I’m not talking about okra, some exotic fruit, cinnamon, or essential oil; I’m talking about insulin! For those of you who make these claims (especially about okra and cinnamon) in regards to treating or as many of you like to say “cure” type 1 diabetes, you really need to stop. Over the past year I’ve been getting bombarded with sales pitches and I’m honestly tired of it. Cinnamon is a great antioxidant and comes with some fantastic health benefits but when it comes to type 1 diabetes, don’t you think if it was that easy, it would be mainstream information and the millions of us that battle with this disease day in and day out would avoid the BS that we deal with daily? Or perhaps the miracle lies within the specially formulated product you are trying to sell me? It’s utterly ridiculous, and the fact that you know nothing about the disease itself or how it works, you need to take a step back and take your products with you. I mean, you realize that you produce insulin naturally, it’s a normal human bodily function. What makes you think that okra, cinnamon, or your essential oil is going to magically wake up my dead beta cells (these are the cells that actually produce insulin, feel free to google, it’s a fascinating read). Perhaps your cinnamon, shake or oil defies all science and type 1 diabetes research? Or perhaps you have magic okra that you purchased from the same person who sold Jack his beanstalk beans? Perhaps the laws of physics cease to exist in your potent concoction? Either way you need to stop before you seriously put someone in a very bad p Continue reading >>
