Cinnamon and Diabetes

Cinnamon for diabetes is believed to control glucose level by nourishing digestive system and effectively support glucose metabolism. Cinnamon is best suitable for obesity related diabetes and hyperlipedemia.

Cinnamomun zeylanicum

Diabetes cinnamon is now the subject of numerous studies for its ability to effectively support healthy glucose metabolism. It remains a warming circulatory tonic, as well as a time-honored digestive aid to soothe upset stomach, gas, bloating and occasional indigestion. Its natural compounds are credited with maintaining both healthy blood-sugar and cholesterol levels already within normal range. Common Names of cinnamon: Cassia, Cassia Cinnamon, Chinese Cinnamon, Rou Gui (Mandarin).

Benefits of Cinnamon supplement
Studies show Cinnamon is useful in managing

• obesity-related diabetes, 
• hyperlipidemia, 
• ability to stop yeast infections, 
• has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, 
• boosts cognitive function and memory and 
• great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.  
• Cinnamon has a possible effect in lowering plasma glucose levels in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. However, clinicians are refrain from recommending cinnamon supplementation in place of the lifestyle modifications, oral anti-diabetic agents, and insulin-therapy.

Bioactive constituents of cinnamon
Various terpenoids found in the volatile oil of cinnamon are eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, which believed to have many medicinal effects.
Cinnamaldehyde are potent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic.

Scientific evidence of Cinnamon

1. Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. By B.Mang, M.Wolters, B.Schmitt, K.Kelb, R.Lichtinghagen, D.O.Stichtenoth, A.Hahn. The cinnamon extract seems to have a moderate effect in reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control.
2. A Hydroxychalcone Derived from Cinnamon Functions as a Mimetic for Insulin in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. By Karalee J. Jarvill-Taylor, PhD, Richard A. Anderson, PhD and Donald J. Graves, PhD at Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 (K.J.J.-T., D.J.G.) Human Nutrition Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705 (R.A.A.). Results demonstrate that the MHCP is an effective mimetic of insulin. MHCP may be useful in the treatment of insulin resistance and in the study of the pathways leading to glucose utilization in cells.
3. Changes in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity following 2 weeks of daily cinnamon ingestion in healthy humans. By Solomon TP, Blannin AK at Exercise Metabolism Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. solomot@ccf.org. Cinnamon may improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity, but the effects are quickly reversed.
4. Effects of short-term cinnamon ingestion on in vivo glucose tolerance. By Solomon TP, Blannin AK at School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. These data illustrate that cinnamon spice supplementation may be important to in vivo glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity in humans, and not only are its effects immediate, they also appear to be sustained for 12 hours.
5. Effects of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on body composition and features of the metabolic syndrome in pre-diabetic men and women. By Ziegenfuss TN, Hofheins JE, Mendel RW, Landis J, Anderson RA at Ohio Research Group, Wadsworth Medical Center, Wadsworth, OH. tim@ohioresearchgroup.com. These data support the efficacy of Cinnulin PF(R) supplementation on reducing fasting-blood-glucose (FBG) and systolic-blood-pressure (SBP), and improving body composition in men and women with the metabolic syndrome and suggest that this naturally-occurring spice can reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. For further information visit Pubmed (National Center for Biotechnology Information).
6. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. By Khan A, Safdar M, Khan MMA, Khattak K, Anderson R.  Bublished in: Diabetes Care. 2003;26:3215-3218. The results of this study indicate that a wide range of cinnamon intakes may be beneficial in reducing the risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The authors suggest that cinnamon may also be beneficial to the non-diabetic population for preventing and controlling elevated glucose-level and blood-lipid concentrations. For further information visit American Botanical Council.
7. Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-a polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity. By Anderson R, Broadhurst CL, Polansky M, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52:65-70. The authors conclude that compounds present in cinnamon may have beneficial effects on glucose, insulin, and blood-lipids and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. For further information visit American Botanical Council.

Cinnamon for diabetes
The sweet tasty spice Cinnamon, can be added about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to foods and beverages such as coffee, tea and breakfast cereal. It increases the tastes of apple and pumpkin dishes including puddings and applesauce.

Cinnamon tea recipe
Break cinnamon stick into pieces and boil it with water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Dilute it if needed with hot water, enhance the taste it with natural sweetener (Stevia).

Otherwise add cinnamon stick in any tea while it steeps to add flavor and health benefits.

Suggested Cinnamon diabetes dosage
Recommended dose of ground cinnamon bark are 1 to 4 g daily and Cinnamon oil dose of 0.05 to 0.2 g daily.

Cinnamon Safety concern
Widely used food spice, ground cinnamon bark is believed to be safe. However, cinnamon's essential oil is much more concentrated than the powdered cinnamon. High doses of cinnamon oil might depress the central nervous system.  It is  advisable that pregnant women should avoid taking cinnamon oil or high doses of the bark.


Cinnamon diabetes treatment procedure
Diabetes cinnamon are believed to be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes with out any major known side effects. Don’t give up your diabetes conventional medications, take the cinnamon along with it till the glucose level in blood reaches normal. Then slowly reduce the dosage of the conventional medicine and finally discard if possible. For type 1 diabetes the cinnamon can be taken along with insulin therapy, in due coarse insulin shots requirement may be reduced.

Are cinnamon for diabetes safe?
Remember that cinnamon is a herbal medicine, so it too has some side effects. Herbals can also interact with other medicines you are taking. It is best to get registered herbal practitioner's advice before taking herbs, if the treatment is for pregnant women, breast-feeding mother, child or older people.