With the American Diabetes Association estimating an average of 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed every year, the search for new treatments is more important than ever. Most people know that cinnamon is used as a spice to flavor a number or different foods. However, cinnamon and its bark are also used medicinally to treat many ailments, including diabetes. You should always consult your physician before using cinnamon or any herbal supplement.
Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin is a hormone that regulates how your body moves glucose, its main energy source, from the bloodstream into the cells. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce insulin; in type 2 diabetes the body usually makes enough insulin but becomes resistant to its effects. People with type 2 diabetes often experience increased thirst, urination and hunger and may also experience fatigue, weight loss, poor wound healing and blurred vision. Untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease as well as damage to the kidneys, eyes, feet, skin, bones and nerves. Treatment of type 2 diabetes often involves blood sugar monitoring, exercise and a low-carbohydrate diet. Your physician may also include the use of oral or injectable diabetes medications as well as insulin. While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it is a manageable condition.
Cinnamon Bark
Native to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the West Indies, South America and Southeastern India, cinnamon bark is available ground as a spice and in capsules as an herbal supplement. The use of cinnamon dates back to 2000 BC, when traders began importing cinnamon from China to Egypt. Many herbalists have used cinnamon medicinally for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, stomach upset and disorders involving microcirculation, according to Drugs.com.
The Science
A study conducted at the University of California, Santa Barbara shows that cinnamon may play a role in both the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes. Cinnamon has an insulinlike activity and can potentiate the activity of insulin, according to Don Graves, a researcher at UCSB. They believe that this may help prevent and treat diabetes. The Mayo Clinic reports a study published in 2009 in which participants who took cinnamon twice a day for three months showed an improvement in hemoglobin A1C levels, a lab test that reflects average blood sugar over three months. You should not use cinnamon as a replacement for medication, diet and exercise, but it may be a helpful addition to your diabetes regimen. Consult your endocrinologist or primary care physician before adding cinnamon to your treatment.
Warnings
Cinnamon is contraindicated in people with a hypersensitivity to Peru balsum. There is insufficient data for a risk/benefit analysis for the use of cinnamon supplements during pregnancy, according to Drugs.com, but it is considered safe when used as a food. Large amounts of cinnamon can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
