What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that afflicts millions of people. There is Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is where the person does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 affects people who have lost their sensitivity to insulin, even though their bodies produce it.

When someone eats the sugars and starches that are contained in food is broken down. This process results in it turning into the blood sugar called glucose. Glucose is absorbed by the body cells and used for energy or stored as fat. It circulates throughout the body and it is absorbed into the cells by insulin.

Diabetes occurs on two different levels. If your body does not produce enough insulin, then this is what is called Type 1 diabetes. If the body has somehow lost sensitivity to insulin and as a result, high levels of glucose will remain in the body, this is known as Type 2 diabetes.  When the glucose stays in the blood it can lead to a wide variety of health issues such eye, kidney and other organ problems.

The Effects of Cinnamon in Type 2 Diabetes

Throughout the years there has been a buzz about the use of the spice cinnamon in treating Type 2 diabetes. There have been studies that have been conducted that state the use of cinnamon may directly improve the cholesterol and blood glucose levels of people who are suffering from Type 2 diabetes. This conclusion was reached based on a study done in 2003 in Pakistan. The study showed people who took cinnamon had lower levels of triglycerides, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. This was seen after a month of individuals partaking in the study, with levels continuing to drop 20 days after that.

The study that was done in Pakistan was conducted with 60 people who had Type 2 Diabetes. The 60 people were then divided into 6 groups of 10. They had 3 groups that would be receiving the cinnamon capsules, while the others received a placebo. The cinnamon capsules were varying strengths from 1, 3 and 6 grams. It was given to the test group three times a day, after they had eaten a meal. During the study, it was shown that all three levels of cinnamon showed results. This led the researchers to come to the conclusion that amounts as low as 1 gram of cinnamon a day can help people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes.

There are some researchers who were skeptical in the results. They had questions as to what type of cinnamon was used in the study. The Pakistan study based its study on the use of cinnamomum cassia This type of cinnamon is commonly found in American supermarkets. The other skeptics also believe that because of the small amount of people who took part in the study, there wasn’t enough data to examine the long term benefits on cinnamon.

Although cinnamon bark and cinnamon flowers are used medicinally, Chinese cinnamon, or Cinnamomum aromaticum, is the form used for diabetes.

There is an active ingredient that is contained in cinnamon which is the chemical hydroxychalcone, which might enhance the effect of insulin.

Specifically, hydroxychalcone may work on insulin receptors to increase insulin sensitivity and help promote glucose uptake into cells and tissues and promote glycogen (the storage form of glucose) synthesis.

Despite all the naysayers, there is a large group of people who believe that cinnamon can help in treating diabetes. More people are looking into this alternative method, hoping to get some type of results.

The Effects of Cinnamon on Type 1 Diabetes

Despite studies showing success with cinnamon treating type 2 diabetes, the opposite seems to be the case in treating Type 1 diabetes.

For type 2 diabetes, the cinnamon seemed to help the body fat cells react to insulin. For people who took the cinnamon, there was a drop in their blood sugar levels.

With this success, a study was conducted at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. 72 people who had Type 1 diabetes participated in the study. Some individuals were given 1 gram of cinnamon a day, while others were given a placebo.

After 90 days the study was completed and there were no significant changes in blood sugar levels for the people who had taken the cinnamon capsules.

From this study they were able to determine that taking cinnamon did not result in a significant reduction in blood sugar levels for people who suffered from Type 1 diabetes.

Other Uses of Cinnamon

Throughout the years, the spice cinnamon has been used to treat people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. It is also known to help with people who suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, including flatulence, GI spasms, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cinnamon is also used as an alternative treatment for a wide range of health problems such as the cold, hypertension,  menopause symptoms, infections, kidney disorders and angina.

Aside from helping with countless health problems, cinnamon is also known as a popular flavoring for beverages and foods. It is commonly used in products such as mouthwashes, chewing gums, toothpaste and many more products.

Cinnamon, of course, is a popular flavoring agent for foods and beverages and is a common ingredient in chewing gums, toothpastes, mouthwash, liniments, nasal sprays and suntan lotions.

Cinnamon & Diabetes Warnings

Cinnamon may cause blood glucose to be excessively lowered when combined with agents that can cause hypoglycemia, such as sulfonylureas (Amaryl, glyburide or glipizide) or insulin. If you take any of these medications, your dose may have to be adjusted to prevent excessive lowering of blood glucose from reacting with cinnamon.