BENEFITS OF CINNAMON - Cinnamon for Diabetes control
Cinnamon for diabetes can control glucose level by
nourishing digestive system and effectively support glucose metabolism.
Cinnamon is best suitable for obesity-related diabetes and hyperlipedemia.
What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon
(Cinnamomun zeylanicum) is a spice obtained from the inner bark of the tree of
genus Cinnamomum, which is in use for both sweet and savory foods. Cinnamon
trees are native to South-East Asia.
Cinnamon lowers blood-sugar level
Cinnamon
contains biologically active substances that have demonstrated insulin-mimetic
properties. Cinnamon improves insulin mediated glucose metabolism, enhances insulin
signaling in skeletal muscle and helps glucose to glycogen conversion. Thus,
cinnamon is considering as an anti-diabetic herb.
Cinnamon lowers heart diseases and
strokes risks
Cinnamon
lowers blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Cinnamon lowers LDL
cholesterol responsible for the plaque formation. Additionally, cinnamon has
antioxidant property, which helps prevent the LDL cholesterol oxidation, thus
prevent inflammation of arteries and further plaque formation.
Medicinal uses of Cinnamon
Cinnamon
is now the subject of numerous studies for its ability to support proper
glucose metabolism. Its natural compounds help maintain both healthy blood
sugar and cholesterol levels. It remains a warming circulatory tonic, as well
as a digestive aid to soothe upset stomach, gas, bloating and occasional
indigestion.
Studies
show cinnamon is useful:
- It is suitable for obesity-related diabetes as well as
to control hyperlipidemia.
- To alleviate indigestion, stomach cramps, intestinal
spasms, nausea, flatulence, and it improves the appetite, and treats
diarrhea.
- Stops yeast infections, anti-clotting effect on the
blood, boosts cognitive function & memory, prevents nervous tension,
helps to treat headache, asthma, excessive menstruation, uterus disorders
and gonorrhea.
- It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and
calcium.
- Reduce leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Cinnamon dosage:
The
daily dose of Cinnamon you need for diabetes control may vary depending on your
age, weight and health status. Only your doctor can recommend the appropriate
dosage for you, consult your doctor before you begin taking cinnamon
supplements to control blood-sugar level.
The
dosage of ground Cinnamon bark is 2 to 6 g daily and cinnamon oil dosage is
0.05 to 0.2 g daily. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of cinnamon to meet
your blood-sugar regulation needs.
Cinnamon availability:
Over-the-counter
Cinnamon supplements are available in various forms; they are powder, oil and
tincture. Cinnamon volatile oil is much more concentrated compared to other
forms, and it may cause temporary oral or skin irritation or burning.
How do you take Cinnamon?
The
sweet tasty spice Cinnamon can be added about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to foods and
beverages such as coffee, tea and breakfast cereal. It increases the tastes of
apple and pumpkin dishes, including puddings and applesauce.
Break
cinnamon stick into pieces, boil it with water, cover, and steep for 10
minutes. Dilute it if needed with hot water and enhance the taste with natural
sweetener (Stevia). Otherwise, add Cinnamon stick in any tea while it steeps to
add flavor and health benefits.
Bioactive constituents of Cinnamon:
Terpenoids
found in the volatile oil of Cinnamon are eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde, which are
having various medicinal effects. Cinnamaldehyde possesses potential
anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-hyperglycemic, and
anti-hyperlipidemic properties.
Possible side effects of Cinnamon:
Widely
used food spice, grounded cinnamon bark has considered safe. However, Cinnamon's
essential oil is much more concentrated than the powdered Cinnamon. High doses
of Cinnamon oil might depress the central nervous system. It is advisable that
pregnant women should avoid taking cinnamon oil or excess doses of the bark.
Diabetics
may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), so you should be vigilant on
your blood-glucose level. It may harm your liver, if you already have a liver
problem and taking large quantities.
Cinnamon scientific evidence in
diabetes control:
A
clinical study titled “Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type
2 diabetes” by Alam Khan, MS, PHD, Mahpara Safdar, MS, Mohammad Muzaffar Ali
Khan, MS, PHD, Khan Nawaz Khattak, MS and Richard A. Anderson, PHD is published
in Diabetes Care December 2003 vol. 26 no. 12 3215-3218. The study result shows
after 40 days, all three levels of Cinnamon reduced the mean fasting serum
glucose (18–29%), triglyceride (23–30%), LDL Cholesterol (7–27%), and total Cholesterol
(12–26%) levels. Changes in HDL Cholesterol were not significant.
A clinical study titled
“Effects of a water-soluble Cinnamon extract on body composition and features
of the metabolic syndrome in pre-diabetic men and women” by Ziegenfuss TN,
Hofheins JE, Mendel RW, Landis J, Anderson RA at Ohio Research Group, Wadsworth
Medical Center, Wadsworth, OH published in J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006 Dec 28;
3:45-53 This study result show, the efficacy of Cinnamon extract
supplementation on reducing fasting-blood-glucose and systolic-blood-pressure,
and improving body composition with the metabolic syndrome and suggest that
this spice can reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular
diseases.