Low blood glucose, also known as hypoglycemia, is a problem that results when you do not have enough glucose in your blood for your body to function properly. Cinnamon has gained popularity as a medicinal supplement for its effects on blood glucose levels, but it appears to lower blood glucose levels, not raise them.
Low Blood Sugar
Sugar, in the form of glucose, is your body's preferred form of fuel. If your blood glucose levels get too low, it can cause dizziness, hunger, irritability, confusion, sleepiness, fatigue and potentially lead to unconsciousness. Low blood glucose levels can be caused by going for too long without eating, due to excessive physical exertion and as a side effect of some medications, such as diabetes medications.
Cinnamon and Blood Glucose
Cinnamon has gained interest among diabetics as a way to control blood glucose levels. Cinnamon appears to make your body more sensitive to the effects of he pancreatic hormone insulin, a substance which allows fat, liver and muscle cells to pull glucose out of the blood. Type 2 diabetes is marked by the body becoming insensitive to insulin and some use cinnamon in the hopes of keeping their blood glucose levels under control.
Cinnamon For Hypoglycemia
If cinnamon has any effect on blood glucose levels, it is to lower them, not raise them. The only way that cinnamon could help treat hypoglycemia is if it allows you to take a lower dose of medications for diabetes. Diabetes is often treated with insulin injections and medications that help the body pull glucose put of the blood. Because these substances can cause hypoglycemia, lowering your dosage could help prevent instances of low blood glucose.
Safety
Although cinnamon is safe for most people to use, the potential for cinnamon to trigger hypoglycemia should not be taken lightly. You should be careful when taking cinnamon and monitor your blood glucose levels careful if you have diabetes and consume cinnamon. Hypoglycemia can be treated by consuming a sugary substance or juice to raise blood glucose levels back to an acceptable range. Talk to your doctor before taking any sort of cinnamon supplement.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Cinnamon and Blood GLucose
- "European Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Blackwell Publishing Ltd Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA1c , and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2; B. Mang, et al.; 2006.
- "Diabetes Care"; Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes; Alam Khan, et al.; 2003
- MedlinePlus: Cinnamon
- Drugs.com: Cinnamon
