How Can Cinnamon Affect Blood Sugar And Help Diabetes?
|
Type 2 diabetes is when glucose is prevented from entering the cells of the body, particularly muscle, liver and fat cells. This causes high blood sugar levels to appear. Insulin is a facilitator for the transport of glucose though the cell walls. This role as a facilitator is a highly complex set of chemical reactions. The pancreas produces insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Once it enters the blood it signals the body's cells to take up the excess glucose until normal blood glucose levels are then again achieved. In diabetics this highly complex set of chemical reactions is disrupted.
|
Insulin molecules bind to receptors on cell walls, this creates a tiny molecular "gateways" that opens up and allows glucose molecules to pass though. If this system is not functioning properly these gates will not respond correctly to the insulin signal and prevent glucose from entering the cell. When this happens the common tern is "insulin resistance". This problem is a common occurrence in people that have an obesity problem. When insulin resistance is present the levels of glucose in the blood remain abnormally high and can be very dangerous in the long run. The pancreas will attempt to compensate for this by making more insulin, but this only works for so long. The pancreas will eventually become overworked and starts to make less insulin. This is the time that things can go from bad to worse.
One of the more exciting medical discoveries regarding blood glucose levels happened at the USDA testing center in Maryland totally by accident. There scientists were looking at the affect that various foods have on blood sugar levels. They were very surprised to find that good old apple pie actually lowered the blood glucose levels of patients in their studies. This promoted them to look at cinnamon and how it may fit into this observation.
Medicinally cinnamon bark and cinnamon flowers are used but for diabetes Cinnamon aromaticum, Chinese cinnamon, is preferred. The chemical hydroychalcone works on insulin receptors to increase insulin sensitivity and promote glucose uptake into the cells and tissues and promote glycogen synthesis. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose.
STUDIES CONFIRM THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF CINNAMON
A Diabetes Care study was conducted in December of 2003 that found cinnamon improved glucose and lipids in patients that had diabetes. A total of sixty patients that were taking sulfonylurea were given one of three doses of cinnamon (1, 3, or 6 grams per day) or a placebo for a total of 40 days.
Fasting blood glucose declined by 18 to 29 percent after 40 days in all three cinnamon treated groups. Specifically, 1 gram per day decreased glucose from 209 to 157 mg/dl, 3 grams per day decreased glucose from 205 to 169 mg/dl and 6 grams per day decreased glucose from 234 to 166 mg/dl.
This study also concluded that cinnamon had sustained benefits. After 20 days of going without cinnamon fasting glucose levels were still lower than at baseline for the previously cinnamon treated group. Furthermore, total cholesterol decreased by 12 to 26 percent, triglycerides decreased by 23 to 30 percent, and LDL ("bad") cholesterol also declined from 7 to 27 percent.
Another study was done by the University of Hannover in Hannover, Germany and published in a recent issue of the European Journal of Clinical Investigation. This was the first study evaluating the effect of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on Glycemic control and the lipid profile of Western patients with type 2 diabetes. The results |
further add to a growing body of clinical evidence demonstrating supplementation with a water-soluble cinnamon extract may play an important role in managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin function.
CINNAMON SPICE IS NOT ADVISED
Simply increasing the cinnamon in your diet is not is not advised because cinnamon contains volatile oils that when taken consistently in high doses could be toxic. It is recommended that you find a high quality supplement and follow the dosage recommendations.
Cinnamon has been shown to reduce serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes. Because cinnamon does not contribute to caloric intake people that experience these conditions may benefit from inclusion of cinnamon in their daily supplementation program. Also cinnamon may be beneficial to the rest of the population to prevent and control elevated glucose and blood lipid levels. |
TeaBenefits.com
Featured Product
 |
Buy Cinnamon
 We offer high-quality yet low-priced Cinnamon. Makes the best Cinnamon Tea.
We give up to 40% discount! Try us now!
Buy Now! |
|
By: John Bradstreet
About the Author: John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthy lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about lowering blood sugar we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. Or you can subscribe to our Vitamin and Supplement Blog where you will find information on topics concerning natural supplementation.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - How Can Cinnamon Affect Blood Sugar And Help Diabetes?
|
Buy Ground Cinnamon Powder
 Derive the intensity of this spice that lends itself to a more complicated and bold dishes such as curries.
Available in 1.7 oz bottle.
Buy Now! |
|
|
Do you find the contents of this site useful and helpful? Feel free to bookmark, share and tell your friends about this site.
|
Cinnamon Tea Benefits Trivia:
 Did you know that:
The name "cinnamon" was derived from the Arabic and Hebraic term "amomon" which means 'fragrant spice plant'. The Bible mentioned cinnamon as being one of the ingredients used by Moses in his anointing oils. In ancient Greece, the value of 350 grams of cinnamon was said to have been equal to about 5 kilograms of silver. In medieval times, cinnamon was widely used as a meat preserver due to its bacteria-fighting phenols. It was also valued for its strong aroma that masks the stench of rotting meat. The desire for cinnamon was one of the many reasons that led to the exploration expeditions of the 15th to 17th centuries. In the 17th century, the Dutch had a monopoly of trade on cinnamon as they took possession of the island of Ceylon, then the world's largest cinnamon producer. They would subsequently yield this monopoly to France when they were defeated in the Revolutionary Wars. Ceylon black tea is widely used as the base on which to add bits and pieces of cinnamon bark to produce cinnamon tea. Ceylon tea is known to have a strong citrusy note & is typically taken with bread, jam and scones in England. Black tea and cinnamon are important products of the country of Sri Lanka and it doesn't come as a surprise to have these two complement each other nicely. Cinnamon is believed to be quite rich in iron. Iron is the mineral responsible for the formation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in the blood that helps enable respiration of cells as it transports oxygen to the cells. Cinnamon has a high magnesium content. Magnesium is a water-insoluble mineral that aids in helps in forming healthy bones and teeth. It also may help reduce the severity of asthma attacks.
Check out these Related Articles for Cinnamon Tea:
Ready to take that first step toward a healthier life?
Buy Cinnamon Tea here!
Check out these Interesting Books on Cinnamon Tea:
Check out these Related Topics to Cinnamon Tea Benefits:
|
Home
Buy Tea Now!
Publish your Tea-Related Articles at TeaBenefits.com
