Cinnamon—Not So Useful? :: Diabetes Self-Management

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Oct 05, 2007

Cinnamon—Not So Useful?

Tara Dairman

Can cinnamon help improve blood glucose control in people with diabetes? Some preliminary studies (including the one discussed last year in Amy Campbell's blog entry "Can Cinnamon Help You Control Your Diabetes?") seemed to imply that it could. But now, newer research is showing less promise for the spice's use in people with either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.

One new study, published in the journal Diabetes Care in September, was conducted by researchers from the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. The researchers randomly split 43 adults with Type 2 diabetes into two groups. One group was assigned to take two capsules a day containing total of 1 gram of cinnamon; the other group received identical placebo capsules containing wheat flour. After three months, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of blood glucose, insulin, or cholesterol levels.

Why did the results of this study conflict with those of the earlier study, which linked taking cinnamon to improved blood glucose and blood lipid levels? For one thing, the earlier study was conducted in Pakistan, where the study group probably had a different diet and had higher blood glucose levels to begin with than the American participants in the Oklahoma study. And perhaps most important, most of the participants in the American study were already taking various diabetes drugs at the start of the cinnamon study, while those in the Pakistani study took no diabetes drugs.

The researchers involved in the newer study concluded that more research is needed to see how factors like diet and medicine use affect whether and how much cinnamon may benefit people with Type 2 diabetes. Until then, though, they would not recommend cinnamon to Americans for Type 2 diabetes treatment.

Another study, published this year in the April issue of Diabetes Care, looked at cinnamon's effect on people with Type 1 diabetes. Researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire recruited 72 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, randomly assigning half to take 1 gram of cinnamon per day and half to take a matching placebo. After 90 days, the researchers found no differences between the two groups in terms of HbA1c level, daily insulin use, or episodes of hypoglycemia.

So, while it tastes good and probably won't hurt you in moderate doses, don't expect cinnamon to work miracles on your blood glucose levels.

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I have been taking two cinnamon capsules a day( am and pm) with my regular meds...I am type 2 ...overall my glucose levels have been going down especially in the morning...I'm usually between 130-160 first thing in the morning...in the last four weeks I'm getting between 100-125...I also take about 1 1/2 oz. of mangosteen....I really haven't changed anything else...I started this about 6 weeks ago...so far my numbers have improved...

Posted by: Kathy | Oct 10, 2007 06:22 PM

I use cinnamon on my morning oatmeal...a heafty dose. I can't categorically state it has done anything to sugar levels, but since I like it I'll continue using it. I am type 2 and have been gradually weaning off actos after stopping avandia. I'm now on byetta only and numbers are generall between 100-130 in the morning depending on what I eat the night before...Wendy's burger, french fries and a frosty DON'T lead to a below 120 reading :>)

Posted by: deborah prettyman | Oct 11, 2007 12:10 PM

I take cinnamon tablets in the morning and evening. I started doing this shortly after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. When I was just taking glucotrol tablets, my sugars stayed around 130-150. Once I started taking the cinnamon tablets, my sugars dropped to 97-114. Study or not, it works for me.

Posted by: bvgardner | Oct 11, 2007 01:44 PM

So, U R telling me Cinnamon is not good for me? In fact, it might raise my glucose alittle since it's really spicy sugar. Then maybe I shouldn't be using it. I grew up with the GREEN bottle little man containing cinnamon; ate it alot on buttered toast. It really isn't doing me any good then? Thanks for testing it for us diabetics.

Posted by: hopelessmary | Oct 12, 2007 02:11 PM

It is important that you use real Cinnmaon and not cassia. Please click the below link to learn how to identify real cinamon

http://www.ceylon-cinnamon.com/Identify-Cinnamon.htm

Posted by: Pat | Oct 20, 2007 11:31 AM

For three years I have been using what I thought was cinnamon purchased in bulk from the health food store. It was really cassia. Perhaps that is what those who were testing results in the study were using as well. I just found out the difference and am now going to see what effect using real cinnamon (which is much more expensive) will have. I learned the difference by chance on guess where? Martha Stewart's show! I will let you know in a month's time if my numbers are different.

Posted by: cbarton | Nov 24, 2007 01:08 PM

Pat and others - respectfully, are you speculating or do you have citations to back up your thinking? Your URL did not talk about effects of Ceylon vs. Cassia specifically on DIABETES. Just how to identify the two.

In fact, the following comparitive study from Germany makes me think that the cassia form is the more potent one for diabetes use.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=15934022&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google

Well trained ND's say it is an adjunct - a help - not a substitute for your diabetes medications. If your pancreas lacks islet cells then you cannot expect cinnamon to replace insulin. But it might help the remaining insulin work better.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cinnamon/a/cinnamon.htm

Posted by: Sam Mech | Dec 30, 2007 06:07 PM

I just accidentally discovered the research about cinnamon. Since taking it (a sprinkle on cereal, half a teaspoon with my coffee or barley), my sugar has improved by an absolutely incredible amount. Before lunch, my sugars would be around 9-10 mmol/l (maybe even over - and that's with no mid-morn snack!), now they're 4-5. As you can tell, I had been pretty worried I'd have to up my medication (bringing the dreaded day of the injection closer). Now I must be online to lower my pills. I've been taking it less than a week.

Wonderful. Really absolutely wonderful.

Posted by: Starchief | Jan 22, 2008 09:47 AM

Ny blood sugar was averaging between 190 and 210 mornings and nights. I started taking one 1000mg cinnamon tab three times a day about a month ago. Minimal changes to diet - just started eating smaller meals divided into six small meals a day. My blood sugars are currently at about 140 evenings and 120 mornings. I don't know if the change is due to cinnamon or change in eating pattern or both - but it is working for me and I feel so much better - I intend to continue this regimen! Also have lost about 6 lbs by changing to six small meals rather than 3 regulars.

Posted by: grannyb | Apr 07, 2008 11:01 PM

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why it did not help with Type I diabetes.

The studies suggest that this is a type 2 treatment and especially good for those with insulin resistance to keep them from moving into full blown Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a very different disease from type 2.

Posted by: Matt | Aug 07, 2008 11:53 AM

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