Cinnamon and diabetes

 

Why and how to consume cinnamon to lower blood sugar and fat levels?

Cinnamon, also known as “poor man’s insulin”, has long been known for its action on diabetes and cholesterol.

 Let's see here how cinnamon works on diabetes, and how to take cinnamon for an effective effect.

 Please note, however, that you should under no circumstances stop taking the medications prescribed by your doctor, and seek advice from him if you wish to take cinnamon.

 Self-medication should be avoided, especially for pathologies as serious as diabetes. Here to buy Ceylon cinnamon, the aromatic bark of the cinnamon tree used in cooking and therefore as a natural remedy against diabetes.

SUMMARY

 1. What is diabetes? 

2. Action of cinnamon on diabetes

 3. How does spice work on diabetes?

 4. Which variety to choose? 

5. How to use cinnamon?

 6. To summarize 

7. Where to buy quality cinnamon

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is chronic hyperglycemia, excess sugar in the blood leading to blood sugar levels that are too high compared to average. This excess sugar is the consequence of poor assimilation, poor use and poor storage of sugars by the body.

 Indeed, in a normal body, the carbohydrates in the diet are transformed into glucose, the pancreas then detects the increase in blood sugar and will produce insulin. This insulin helps glucose enter the body's cells (muscles, organs, etc.) 

and the liver where it will be transformed and stored. Blood sugar then decreases in the blood. 

For people with diabetes, this regulatory system does not work and must be supported by injections of insulin by shots

There are mainly two types of diabetes: 

– Type 1 diabetes: or insulin-dependent diabetes, approximately 6% of diabetics. It is characterized by insufficient insulin production. 

– Type 2 diabetes: or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, 92% of diabetics. 

It is initially characterized by insulin resistance in certain organs which prevent the entry of insulin. 

This resistance to the action of insulin leads to an overproduction of insulin by the pancreas to compensate. 

The pancreas becomes tired and after around twenty years no longer produces enough insulin: this is insulin deficiency. 

You should know that this type of diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, high blood pressure, etc.) by 2 to 4 times.

Can cinnamon really lower your blood sugar? 

A simple answer would be: yes! But let's dig a little deeper into the subject. To go further, find out what the virtues of cinnamon are.

For the record It was a happy error that led Western researchers to find the effect of cinnamon on blood sugar (even though this effect has been known for ages in Asia). 

Indeed, we owe this discovery to Dr. Richard A. Anderson, who originally studied the properties of chromium. USDA researcher, senior scientist at Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, and physician. 

He has published more than 230 scientific manuscripts and made more than 200 presentations at regional, national and international meetings around the world. While studying the effects of chromium on diabetes, he realized that apple pie stimulates insulin activity. 

No sense, apple pie contains only a little chromium and a lot of sugar!

Anderson then thinks about the effect of the apples, but quickly realizes that this effect is due to another ingredient in the pie... cinnamon! The scientist will therefore focus his studies on the effects of cinnamon on diabetics. 

Many other scientists will follow him, all convinced that cinnamon is the best hope for a natural cure for diabetes.

What is the evidence for the effect of cinnamon on diabetes? Following Dr. Anderson's discovery, hundreds of studies were carried out on the bark by hundreds of scientists. 

Finally, it was Dr. Anderson who published a scientific article in 2010 taking stock of the 16 main studies on cinnamon. 

Of these 16 studies, 11 show a significant effect of the spice, and 5 show little or no influence on lowering blood sugar.

Cases where cinnamon has little or no effect: Regarding these latest inconclusive studies, the patients were taking metformin, one of the most common treatments to treat type 2 diabetes.

 According to Anderson: “metformin acts like cinnamon, by increasing insulin sensitivity. 

If one takes enough metformin to manage blood sugar, cinnamon will have no effect.” Inconclusive or inconclusive studies have shown no effect on young people with type 1 diabetes, a logical result, because people with type 1 diabetes have little or no insulin, and cinnamon does not replace insulin.

 A study has shown that cinnamon does not cause any drop in sugar levels in healthy people without any diabetes problems.

 There are still studies carried out on other patients which have not led to conclusive results.

Cases where cinnamon has a significant effect:

The largest study was carried out by Dr Anderson with a team of researchers from the Peshawar School of Agriculture. This study was carried out on 60 middle-aged patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, divided into 6 groups. 

Group 1 took 2 cinnamon capsules per day, group 2 took 6 and group 3 took 12. The other groups had the same amounts of capsules, but placebo. 

The treatment was conducted for 40 days in all groups, and the capsules contained 500 mg of cinnamon (about 1/4 teaspoon).

 The patients ate as usual, taking their diabetes medication, but not metformin. Result: in the groups taking cinnamon, a drop in blood sugar levels of 18 to 29% was observed. We also observed a drop in triglycerides of 23 to 30%, total cholesterol levels of 13 to 26%, and bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol) of 10 to 24%. 

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pomona in California (USA) on 543 patients with type 2 diabetes came to the same conclusions, also showing that cinnamon increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL).

How does cinnamon affect blood sugar levels?

 The magic compound that comes into play is called: methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP), the most active compound in the bark.

 Indeed, Professor Anderson's studies have shown that this substance increases glucose metabolism by up to 20, the process that transforms sugar into energy.

 As such, cinnamon is the ally of diets! Cinnamon facilitates the work of insulin, and therefore helps bring sugar into the cells. 

As such, it would have an effect comparable to certain drugs such as thiazolinediones (Actos®, Avandia®, etc.), which reduce insulin resistance. In addition, MHCP is a formidable antioxidant, a class of polyphenols also found in cocoa beans, which also has an impact on diabetes. 

Indeed, antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals, which damage the DNA of cells and therefore lead to chronic diseases, including diabetes.

 There are numerous studies on the action of antioxidants on reducing diabetes and cholesterol.

What variety of cinnamon for diabetes? 

As I explain in our article on how to lose weight with cinnamon, there are two varieties, which come from the bark of two very similar but different species of trees:

 – Cinnamomum verum, known as Ceylon cinnamon, also known as real cinnamon, – Cinnamomum aromaticum or Cinnamomum cassia, called cassia cinnamon from Indonesia or China, also called false cinnamon. 

Let's be clear: to lower blood sugar and cholesterol, the variety doesn't matter, they have the same effect. 

That said, for long-term use, we still recommend Ceylon cinnamon. 

In fact, their health benefits are the same, with one exception which makes all the difference: coumarin.

 It is in fact the coumarin concentration that differs in the two species. Ceylon cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) contains almost none, but on the other hand, Chinese cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia) is rich in it. 

Except that coumarin is potentially toxic to the liver, because it has hepatotoxic properties. 

So for long-term consumption, prefer Ceylon cinnamon.

How to take cinnamon? 

Remember that it is strictly prohibited to self-medicate in the context of diabetes, the consequences for health can be disastrous. 

The information in this article is for informational purposes, consult a doctor for a personalized prescription.

The different ways of doing it: 

The effects are felt, with daily consumption, whatever the way. 

The generally recommended doses range between 1 and 4 g (between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon per day) of Ceylon cinnamon per day, even if studies have not been able to update an ideal dosage. You can consume it:

For breakfast: in cottage cheese, on your cereals, on a fruit salad, etc. 

– In your savory dishes: yes, especially in the Maghreb and the East, we find it in savory dishes: couscous, tagines, etc. 

– In the making of your desserts: to add directly to your preparations.

 – As a drink: in milk (cinnamon milk recipe), in your tea, fruit juice (apple, orange, grape, etc.), smoothies, etc. You can also just make a cinnamon infusion, by boiling a cup of water, then letting a few cinnamon sticks, or a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, infuse, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not hesitate to sweeten with honey, the benefits of both are very beneficial, discover, on this subject, our article on the virtues of honey with cinnamon.

Cinnamon has a sweet flavor that will replace sugar in all your preparations. For more information, see our article on how to replace cinnamon?.

Does cinnamon work quickly?

Empirically, the first effects on blood sugar are felt after 2 weeks of daily intake. 

The first effects on cholesterol and triglycerides may take months to appear.

Contraindications and side effects: 

Consumption of cinnamon is not without risk, we have devoted an article detailing the possible problems linked to the consumption of cinnamon, where you will find contraindications, drug interactions, adverse effects, etc.

It is strongly recommended not to take cinnamon if you are taking medication to treat your diabetes, in order to avoid any interaction.

 Consult your doctor before taking cinnamon.

 If you use Indonesian cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), do not exceed 1/2 teaspoon per day.

 The coumarin present in this variety is an anticoagulant, be careful if you are under anticoagulant treatment. Rarer, coumarin, in large quantities and over long-term consumption can cause liver damage.

Excessive consumption of cinnamon can cause side effects: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and palpitations.

To summarize “cinnamon and diabetes”:

Should you consult a doctor? Yes, yes, and yes again, never stop treatment and seek the advice of your doctor before embarking on any treatment. 

Is it effective? Yes, but not for everyone.

 For whom? People with prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, if you are not taking metformin.

 It is possible to consult your doctor to see if it is possible to lower the doses of metformin by adding cinnamon to your diet.

How ? With positive medical advice, add cinnamon (preferably Ceylon) every day to a healthy diet and exercise for 20 minutes per day.