Type 2 diabetics may get a health boost from a dash of cinnamon

Houston Chronicle ^ | 1/25/2004

[Born Conservative]

Type 2 diabetics may get a health boost from a dash of cinnamon Los Angeles Times A little bit of cinnamon might spice up your health.

The aromatic bark can lower blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, as well as improve insulin functioning, particularly in Type 2 diabetics, researchers have found. Richard Anderson, lead scientist at the Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Md., calls its medicinal properties the most significant nutritional discovery in 25 years.

"I don't know of anything else," he said, other than drugs, "that can change glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels nearly so much." The most recent study, which appears in the December issue of the journal Diabetes Care, showed that, after 40 days, 30 diabetics who had taken 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon extract daily reduced their risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Specifically, their mean fasting glucose...

[Born Conservative]

Excerpted ONLY because this article is via the LA Times, which requires excerpting.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I heard about this a few weeks ago on a CBS radio newscast. Its useful information for a lot of people...

[KantianBurke]

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2?

[Born Conservative]

Type 1 diabetes (aka "juvenile diabetes"), is a result of the body's immune system "attacking" the pancreas and eliminating it's ability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes (aka "adult onset") is the result of insulin resistance, that is, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, and must produce more and more of it; it eventually gets to the point where insulin is ineffective, and blood sugar levels elevate. The treatment for Type 1 is insulin; for Type 2, it's initially attempted to control through diet, but oftentimes pills are prescribed, and sometimes even insulin.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Type 1 diabetes is where the pancrease creates NO insulin, therefore the need to have insulin injections daily. Type 2 diabetes is where the pancrease creates insulin, however the body does not process it efficiently. This can sometimes be controlled by diet alone, sometimes by medication, but doesn't need insulin injections before meals.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Thanks for this post. This discovery seems to be grabbing the attention of many and it seems to have validity.

As a Type II diabetic, I have started putting cinnamon in a cup of coffee each morning. My 83 y/o mom has done the same to help lower her cholesterol.

I have recently stopped taking Metformin which I had taken since April of last year after being diagnosed. My last A1C was 5.4 and my physician believes I can control my blood sugar quite well with diet and exercise; no meds.

I intend to keep doing the cinnamon thing and hope that my next A1C remains good.

What is so wonderful about the cinnamon is that it is safe and easy. With responsible behavior and the cinamon boost, I imagine many such as myself will enjoy great benefits.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I am a Metformin user with good results over the past five years. When I was diagnosed Type 2, my doctor put me on insulin to get under control, then I gradually reduced the amount and got my blood sugar under control with diet and exercise.
Where did you buy your cinnamon ?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

OOPS........

cinamon = cinnamon

Note to self: Use spellcheck every time ; *)

[dyed_in_the_wool]

They could get more help from exercising 4 x 20+ minutes per week.
Most will probably try cinnamon for a week or two, though.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I use the ground variety, run-of-the-mill stuff the grocery store sells. I assume that is fine.

[CFC__VRWC]

I intend to keep doing the cinnamon thing and hope that my next A1C remains good.

What are you using, regular ground cinnamon that you buy at the grocery store? I'm borderline Type II, with high TGs , and I've been taking Avandia since November 2002. I'm trying to lose weight via Atkins, and I'd sure like to get off the Avandia if possible, since I'm convinced that my weight loss would come much easier.

[CFC__VRWC]

Never mind my post - I just saw your Number 10. Thanks.

[Wiser now]

How much do you use per cup? Just a sprinkle, or more? Inquiring minds want to know. I'd be tickled to get off metformin and a few other meds as well.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I use about a 1/2 teaspoon. I did some web searching when I first heard about this and most studies claim that is sufficient.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I've been doing a modified Atkins for 9 months now. I've steadily lost weight. I mainly focus on limiting my carbohydrates, but I have days where I relax my restrictions some. I just try to be low carb about 95% of the time.

I have been finding some wonderful low carb products. There is a chocolate milk called Carb Countdown that is really good. It satisfies that chocolate craving I sometimes get.

[CFC__VRWC]

I've been doing a modified Atkins for 9 months now.

I've just started with Atkins - starting my 4th week today. I've dropped about 12-15 lbs. in that time, which I'll definitely take! I can't help but think I could drop it even quicker if I were off the Avandia. I had quite smoking about a month before being put on it, and between that and the drug I must have packed on an additional 50 lbs that I needed like another hole in my head.

[MHGinTN]

Be advised, Cinnamon is a gastrointestinal irritant.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I'm not very familiar with Avandia and didn't know it inhibited weight loss.

It sounds like you are having good success with Atkins, though. Perhaps as you drop more weight, your doctor will stop the Avandia.

When I began the Glucophage (Metformin), I was told it may actually enhance weight loss. Of course, I started low carb and the drug at the same time, so I'll never really know.

Have you considered asking your doc for a different drug treatment than Avandia? My daughter works for my doctor and she said he tends to favor Glucophage. I do not know why, but it may be worth asking your doctor.

All these habits we have to change are sure a struggle, aren't they? I keep waiting for the magic pill that fixes everything while we just keep on doing all we like to do. LOL.....not in our lifetime, I'm afraid.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Cinnamon is a gastrointestinal irritant.

Really? Well maybe the benefits outweigh the risk of that. I don't know.

In what way does it irritate and in what amounts?

[Lady Eileen]

bump