Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, is caused by a lack of insulin or an inability to use insulin. Chronic hyperglycemia is a sign of diabetes or prediabetes. Left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to ketoacidosis, which can cause coma and even death. Research studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood glucose levels. Do not use cinnamon to control hyperglycemia without consulting your doctor first.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia may be diagnosed if you have chronically high blood glucose levels, defined as fasting blood glucose levels over 125 mg per deciliter. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include frequent urination, intense thirst and high blood and urine glucose levels. Hyperglycemia can happen to diabetics if you are ill, stressed, exercise less than intended or consume more food than planned. Ketoacidosis results when your body cannot tolerate high levels of ketones, waste products from fat metabolism. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include dry mouth, vomiting and difficulty breathing, and the condition requires urgent medical attention. Your doctor can recommend safe ways to lower your blood glucose.
Cinnamon
More than 4,000 years ago, Chinese herbalists were using the bark of the cinnamon tree to treat menstrual disorders and fever, according to clinical herbalist Michael Castleman in his 2010 book "The New Healing Herbs." Contemporary herbal healers employ cinnamon to treat indigestion and nausea and to mask the taste of bitter herbal concoctions. Its primary active ingredient, cinnamaldehyde, can reduce blood glucose, increase insulin production and increase HDL or "good" cholesterol, notes Bharat B. Aggarwal, professor of cancer research at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and author of the 2011 volume "Healing Spices."
Research Studies
In a study published in 2010 in "Archives of Pharmaceutical Research," scientists tested cinnamon extract on mice with type 2 diabetes. Fasting blood glucose levels were considerably lowered in the cinnamon-treated mice. In addition, mice give cinnamon extract showed increased insulin sensitivity. Researchers speculated that cinnamon decreases hyperglycemia by adjusting glucose metabolism. A human trial published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" in 2011 also found that both whole cinnamon and cinnamon extract lowered fasting blood glucose in those who have diabetes or prediabetes. Aggarwal comments that cinnamon has not been shown to regulate blood sugar in those with type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetics.
Cautions
Small amounts of culinary cinnamon are safe, unless you have a specific allergy to the spice. Cinnamon oil, however, is toxic and can cause vomiting and damage to your kidneys if consumed. The oil can also cause skin irritation when applied topically. Castleman cautions pregnant women to avoid medicinal doses of the spice.
References
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Cinnamon Intake Lowers Fasting Blood Glucose: Meta-Analysis; P.A. Davis et al.; April 2011
- "Archives of Pharmaceutical Research"; Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Action of Cinnamomi Cassiae (Cinnamon Bark) Extract in C57bl/Ks Db/Db Mice; S.H. Kim et al.; February 2010
- "Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices"; Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D.; 2011
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2010
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