kebaldwin
Fri, Jul-06-07, 12:30
Diabetes studies are showing cinnamon more than just tasty spice
Chicago Daily Herald
07-06-07
If you want to control your blood sugar, spicing up your food might be the answer.
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide. This increase might be related to a number of lifestyle preferences like high-calorie/low-nutrient food, obesity, lack of regular exercise and increased stress. Although medications are effective and save lives, many are looking for "natural" alternatives.
Fortunately, there seem to be a number of good choices in the spice rack, like cloves, nutmeg, oregano and tea. However, the best seems to be cinnamon.
Cinnamon comes from the dried bark of a number of different trees. It also belongs to a family of plants that are medically important, including avocado, camphor and bayberry. Historically, cinnamon has been used to treat diabetes as well as gastrointestinal spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, the common cold and loss of appetite.
Recent research has demonstrated that cinnamon might improve blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics by several mechanisms, including increasing both insulin release and the effectiveness of insulin receptors on the cells. In a recent medical study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researcher Joanna Hiebowicz and her team demonstrated that cinnamon also slows the emptying of the stomach after eating.
Glucose levels in the blood control, in part, how fast the food in the stomach is emptied into the intestines. Low glucose levels cause the stomach to empty faster, rapidly raising blood glucose levels. For diabetics, this might contribute to poorly controlled blood glucose levels.
In this study, participants ate rice pudding either with or without cinnamon. The blood glucose levels in those who ate rice pudding with cinnamon never moved over 100 (the top end of normal by most standards). In comparison, after two hours, those who ate only rice pudding had average blood glucose levels exceeding 140 - definitely in the diabetic range. Even though the group eating rice pudding and cinnamon had a lower blood glucose level, they also had a significantly slower emptying of the stomach when compared to the group that did not eat cinnamon. Lower blood glucose and a slower emptying of the stomach are probably both beneficial in type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon, however, is not without side effects. For benefit, large amounts of cinnamon need to be eaten. Although cinnamon is a spice, at high doses and over time, it can affect the liver. It is not recommended, except as a food, for pregnant women and young children. In addition, it might interact with some medications. Before trying high-dose cinnamon therapy, please consult a physician with expertise in this area.
Do lower doses of cinnamon, over time, have the same benefits for diabetes? We do not know, but it is certainly a tasty addition to any diet plan. Take a walk on the wild side and add a little spice...both for taste and health.
- Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director for alternative and complementary medicine for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.
http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5564&Section=DISEASE
Chicago Daily Herald
07-06-07
If you want to control your blood sugar, spicing up your food might be the answer.
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide. This increase might be related to a number of lifestyle preferences like high-calorie/low-nutrient food, obesity, lack of regular exercise and increased stress. Although medications are effective and save lives, many are looking for "natural" alternatives.
Fortunately, there seem to be a number of good choices in the spice rack, like cloves, nutmeg, oregano and tea. However, the best seems to be cinnamon.
Cinnamon comes from the dried bark of a number of different trees. It also belongs to a family of plants that are medically important, including avocado, camphor and bayberry. Historically, cinnamon has been used to treat diabetes as well as gastrointestinal spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, the common cold and loss of appetite.
Recent research has demonstrated that cinnamon might improve blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics by several mechanisms, including increasing both insulin release and the effectiveness of insulin receptors on the cells. In a recent medical study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researcher Joanna Hiebowicz and her team demonstrated that cinnamon also slows the emptying of the stomach after eating.
Glucose levels in the blood control, in part, how fast the food in the stomach is emptied into the intestines. Low glucose levels cause the stomach to empty faster, rapidly raising blood glucose levels. For diabetics, this might contribute to poorly controlled blood glucose levels.
In this study, participants ate rice pudding either with or without cinnamon. The blood glucose levels in those who ate rice pudding with cinnamon never moved over 100 (the top end of normal by most standards). In comparison, after two hours, those who ate only rice pudding had average blood glucose levels exceeding 140 - definitely in the diabetic range. Even though the group eating rice pudding and cinnamon had a lower blood glucose level, they also had a significantly slower emptying of the stomach when compared to the group that did not eat cinnamon. Lower blood glucose and a slower emptying of the stomach are probably both beneficial in type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon, however, is not without side effects. For benefit, large amounts of cinnamon need to be eaten. Although cinnamon is a spice, at high doses and over time, it can affect the liver. It is not recommended, except as a food, for pregnant women and young children. In addition, it might interact with some medications. Before trying high-dose cinnamon therapy, please consult a physician with expertise in this area.
Do lower doses of cinnamon, over time, have the same benefits for diabetes? We do not know, but it is certainly a tasty addition to any diet plan. Take a walk on the wild side and add a little spice...both for taste and health.
- Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director for alternative and complementary medicine for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.
http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5564&Section=DISEASE