Diabetes affects 25.8 million people of all ages and, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, or NDIC, 8.3 percent of the U.S. population. It is the major cause of heart disease and stroke and the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires constant monitoring of blood sugar. If you have diabetes, either your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body is unable to use the insulin properly. Because of this, many patients are required to inject insulin to reduce blood sugar; however, many Americans are turning to complementary medicine, like cinnamon, to lower blood sugar. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine estimates that as many as 38 percent of Americans use some sort of complementary medicine. Consult with your health care provider before adding cinnamon to your diet.
Blood Sugar
Blood sugar refers to the amount of sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Normal levels are between 70 and 130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180 mg/dL after a meal. If your levels are above this, you are considered hyperglycemic. Symptoms of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can include increased thirst, increased urination and fatigue. If high blood sugar is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma. Chronic hyperglycemia can lead to complications in the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a plant and herb used as a flavoring agent in a wide variety of foods and beverages. According to the National Institutes of Health, cinnamon contains the chemical cinnamaldehyde, which has shown some activity against bacteria and fungus. The institute says that early studies indicate that cassia cinnamon might be effective for controlling type 2 diabetes, but the research conflicts. While cinnamon is safe for most people, the institute cautions against its use in patients with liver disease, as it can harm the liver, as well as in patients with diabetes because of its blood sugar-reducing properties. When taken with diabetic medication, it causes a reduction in blood sugar and increases the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
Medical Research
Research has looked into the use of cinnamon to lower blood sugar. A 2009 study published in "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism" looked at a variety of studies that had been done on cinnamon and blood sugar. Researchers determined that while more studies needed to be done on the use of cinnamon as a diabetic therapy, cinnamon did show the ability to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. A 2011 study published in "Nutrition and Metabolism" looked at cinnamon extract and its effects on blood sugar in mice. The researchers believe that cinnamon could be used as a potential treatment for postprandial hyperglycemia.
Considerations
Before adding cinnamon to your supplemental plan, it is important to consult with your health care provider. The use of cinnamon to control blood sugar needs to be closely monitored and should be done under the supervision of your medical provider. Do not add cinnamon if you are taking insulin without consulting with your physician. The use of cinnamon with insulin can cause dangerously low levels of blood sugar.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States; December 2008
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC); National Diabetes Statistics 2011; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Cassia Cinnamon; April 22, 2011
- MedlinePlus; Diabetes; May 10, 2010
- "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism"; The Potential of Cinnamon to Reduce Blood Glucose Levels in Patients with Type II Diabetes and Insulin Resistance; S. Kirkham et al.; December 2009
- "Nutrition and Metabolism"; Cinnamon Extract Inhibits Alpha-Glucosidase Activity and Dampens Postprandial Glucose Excursion in Diabetic Rats; MS Shihabudeen et al.; June 29, 2011
