Can You Treat Diabetes with Cinnamon?

Cinnamon, the dried and ground bark of an evergreen tree that grows in the tropics, may have greater benefits than anyone could ever have imagined. Although it has been used as a natural remedy for generations, recent studies support the belief that cinnamon can help in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Since the publication of a study conducted by the Agricultural Research Unit in Maryland in 2000, there has been a lot of interest in cinnamon’s therapeutic value in enhancing the effects of insulin on the body.

One of the chemical compounds in cinnamon, hydroxychalcone has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, prompting some experts to recommend the addition of a daily dose of cinnamon to the diet of diabetics.

Although the research is ongoing, it is believed that cinnamon augments the ability of fat cells to absorb glucose and remove it from the bloodstream. Studies with mice have been very encouraging, and human testing is currently underway.

More About Type 2 Diabetes

Commonly afflicting people in middle to old age, Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and is marked by a gradual increase in insulin resistance. It is typically treated with diet modification, augmented by insulin or related drugs if necessary. As the baby boomer generation ages, more and more people will be diagnosed with this illness, and finding a safe and economical treatment is a hot topic in medical research.

One of the key advantages to using cinnamon or a cinnamon derivative to help in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is that it does not have the inherent risks of insulin inhalers or injection. There are also side benefits in that cinnamon supplements are also showing promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and kidney disorders. It may even help fight infection.

Check With a Medical Professional Before Using Cinnamon as a Medication

Before making any changes to your current treatment, check with your healthcare provider. It is possible that self-medicating with cinnamon could cause a precipitous drop in glucose levels if you are currently taking prescribed diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. The ingestion of cassia cinnamon has also been linked to instances of liver damage. Just because it's your favorite flavoring ingredient on breakfast pastry doesn't mean cinnamon is safe to use in large doses without expert evaluation and guidance.

Cinnamon Capsule (courtesy of Satish)

Many herbal remedies are being reevaluated as possible aids in the treatment of illness. Cinnamon is the latest in a long list of herbs and spices that have been shown to provide surprising and unexpected benefits. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, or know someone who has, explore the possibility of cinnamon as an aid in treatment. You might just discover that the answer to your problem was right in your spice rack all along.

Cinnamon Tea Recipe

If the notion of adding a little flavorful and non-fattening cinnamon goodness to your afternoon appeals to you, try making cinnamon tea.  It isn't necessarily therapeutic, but it is naturally sweet and smells amazing.  Here's the simple recipe:

1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon (or one teabag)of your favorite blended tea (I like oolong)
8 ounces boiling water
1 tablespoon honey, optional (sugar or artificial sweetener works too)

Directions:

Pour boiling water over teabag and cinnamon.
Steep for 10 minutes.
Sweeten to taste.

----------------------------------Reference

Cinnamon and Diabetes, Web MD. http://diabetes.webmd.com/cinnamon-and-benefits-for-diabetes

Cinnamon for Diabetes? A Half Teaspoon A Day Could Help Control Cholesterol. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/cinnamon-diabetes-_b_839487.html 

M. Regina Castro, M.D. Is it true that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes? Mayo Clinic.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/AN00939