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...

[joesnuffy]

Thanks ...just had cinnamon toast...& here's another...cheers

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I checked the local vitamin store. They don't have cinnamon tablets. I think I'd buy them by mail if I knew where...

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Click on the link in post #30 and scroll down that page. They sell them and they are fairly reasonable.

[Lael]

Click on the link in post #30 and scroll down that page. They sell them and they are fairly reasonable.

On the other hand, I can buy 18 ounces of ground cinnamon powder at Costco's for $ 3.95!

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

On the other hand, I can buy 18 ounces of ground cinnamon powder at Costco's for $ 3.95!

That's great for those of us who enjoy cinnamon, but the poster looking for capsules or tablets can't stand the taste. :-)

[FairOpinion]

Here is a more detailed article about it. Sounds like cinnamon is a "wonderdrug", except it's not a drug.

For Type 2 Diabetes, dash of cinnamon may help

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 fell 18 percent to 29 percent, their triglycerides 25 percent to 30 percent, their LDL ("bad") cholesterol 7 percent to 27 percent and their total cholesterol 12 percent to 26 percent. Only a little cinnamon was necessary, said Anderson, who helped conduct the study. A 30-person placebo group showed no change.

[varina davis]

I put cinnamon in my coffee before it's brewed -- delicious taste and healthy, too. My last A1C was 5.6, but I slipped during the holidays and am now back to a fresh grapefruit a day -- which is also helping to lower the glucose. And thank goodness for Splenda.

[varina davis]

I had bad side effects with Avandia, but glucophage is really helping -- 2 a day. My doctor told me that glucophage is used in weight reduction diets in Europe, but not approved for that here. Oddly, it does tend to make you feel like eating less.

[mylife]

Good news but the key word is may

[mylife]

I put cinnamon in my coffee before it's brewed

Thats a delicious change isnt it?

[mylife]

Mmmmm fresh ginger Mmmmm fresh mint

[varina davis]

But nothing I've found works as quickly or predictably as aspirin!

I absolutely agree! I've used Bufferin (when needed) all my life with no noticible stomach upsets. I would not use any of the synthetics because they are very hard on your liver.

[little jeremiah]

This sounds very possible. In Chinese herbal medicine, cinnamon is considered to be very therapeutic and helpful in many ways (don't ask me which ones though!). Ditto for Ayurvedic medicine, which is actually the original source for much of Chinese medicine. Cinnamon is considered to "warm" the body, aiding circulation and digestion, among other things.

And it's cheap! One good thing to know about herbs is they lose potency when exposed to light and heat, best to keep them in a glass jar in a cupboard with doors so they don't get light or heat from the sun or stove.

Good luck with your diabetes.

[Big Horn]

I put a bunch of cinnamon on my oatmeal every morning.
A1C 5.9 Cholesterol 126. It works.

[libbylu]

I saw the doc on FNC, Rosenfeld is his name? anyway he was excited about this, recommended 1/4 teaspoon per day, and to let him know your results. i believe the study he quoted was that in 45-60 days, 25% reduction in glucose levels.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Good idea. I'm kind of a coffee purist, but I might try it. I have enjoyed the sprinkle in just one cup.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I wondered about potency. Your post is informative. Thanks

I do keep all spices, etc, in a kitchen drawer on the other side of the room from the oven.

[FairOpinion]

Cinnamon capsules

I just put that in as a search term and here is a place that sells them, I am sure there are others, with this news, I bet that all the vitamin stores will be carrying it, if they don't already.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Great numbers there, Big Horn. Sounds like it is definitely working.

My cholesterol, good and bad, is at good levels, but they could always get better. ;-)

[little jeremiah]

Also, I've found that the small bottles and cans of spices, herbs and so on in the grocery stores are usually stale (and quite expensive). I prefer to buy mine at natural food stores or stores that have jars of them in bulk, and you measure out the amount you need. They're usually cheaper this way too. After about a year, toss them and buy new ones.

I used to be a cook so I really prefer fresh, potent spices and herbs!