Cinnamon Promotes Healthy Sugar Metabolism

Friday, July 1st 2005

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A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study released in Diabetes Care finds that taking as little as 1g (1000mg) of cinnamon a day helps promote healthy glucose metabolism.

The study also noted cardiovascular benefits with benefits increasing with higher doses of 3g and 6g daily. After 40 days, all three levels of cinnamon reduced fasting serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. No significant changes were noted in the placebo groups. Changes in HDL cholesterol were not significant.

Benefits for Pre-Diabetics

In addition to benefiting type 2 diabetics, cinnamon may benefit individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (i.e. pre-diabetic) whom have not developed full blown diabetes or other associated ailments. Getting blood glucose under control before one develops diabetes is becoming commonplace in medicine.

Cinnamon extract may also prove useful for people on restricted blood sugar diets or concerned about blood sugar levels and people with Syndrome X, also known as Metabolic Syndrome.

Cinnamon can lower blood sugar by mimicking insulin, activating insulin receptors and working with insulin in the cells to reduce blood sugar by up to 20%. However, cinnamon has some antioxidant benefits, whereas insulin is oxygen-reactive and can damage tissues.

Useful for High Cholesterol

Cinnamon helped reduce serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Because cinnamon would not contribute to caloric intake, those who have type 2 diabetes or those who have elevated glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, or total cholesterol levels may benefit from the regular inclusion of cinnamon in their daily diet. In addition, cinnamon may be beneficial for the remainder of the population to prevent and control elevated glucose and blood lipid levels.

Cautions: Some people are sensitive to cinnamon and should not use this product. Cinnamon may lower blood sugar even in people with normal levels.

What sort of cinnamon do I use?

It is important to note that Cinnamomum aromaticum and Cinnamomum cassia are the same species.

Researchers identified certain flavonoids within cinnamon bark as being responsible for health promoting results. These flavonoids are captured in a water extract as in Nature's Way Standardised Cinnamon. Two vegetarian capsules provide 1000mg (700mg cinnamon bark and 300mg of cinnamon bark extract standardized to 8% flavonoids).

Reproduced unabridged from the July - September 2005 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for glucose metabolism :

 

Blood Sugar
Chromium Sugar Balance
Chromic Fuel
GlucoAssist
Gymnema Sylvestra
Hi-Dose Chromium
Whey Protein - Vanilla

 

Related health information can be found here:

Cholesterol
Diabetes

Related articles can be found here:

Chromium the Blood Sugar Balancer

Gymnema Sylvestre - traditional herb to help control blood sugar

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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