Awhile ago I wrote an article on the spices we use in christmas puddings. One of the spices that I researched was cinnamon. I was delighted to discover that cinnamon has the ability to reopen closed insulin pathways, and is helpful to diabetics with type 2 diabetes. I decided that it was time to understand how cinnamon helps exactly. So join me now on a walk through the researchers findings on cinnamon.
1) The first study observed any changes in people with type 2 diabetes taking cinnamon, on glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Their findings revealed that taking 6g of cinnamon a day reduced fasting glucose serum by 29%, reduced triglyceride levels by 30%, lowered LDL cholesterol by 27% but had no significant change on HDl cholesterol. Resulting with the conclusion that taking cinnamon benefited diabetics by reducing the risk factors of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
2) Another study revealed that a compound (wortmannin - a PI 3'-kinase inhibitor) in cinnamon potentiates insulin activity by decreasing the biological response to insulin and bioactive compounds. (3) The hydroxychalcone in cinnamon is useful in the treatment of insulin resistance and in one study revealed that it helped the pathways leading to glucose utilization in cells. How this worked exactly was by stimulating both glucose uptake and glucose synthesis to a similar level as insulin again by inhibiting the PI-3-kinase. (4) A separate study on rats revealed that even when fed a high fructose diet, the test subjects had enhanced insulin signaling activity when fed cinnamon extract.
The effectiveness on cinnamon and insulin activity seems never ending. (5) In a study on trace elements and their effects on insulin, researchers discovered that taking cinnamon increased insulin potency activity by more than three-fold, revealing that it can play an important role in glucose metabolism. (7) Cinnamon has the amazing ability of regulating glucose uptake. After three weeks the test subjects taking cinnamon extract showed a significantly increased glucose infusion rate. Even the skeletal muscle insulin levels increased, which means that insulin-signaling pathways are enhanced by taking cinnamon. (6) The most amazing study I've read revealed that even after boiling this spice for thirty minutes at 100ºC, it in no way diminished the antioxidant effectiveness of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a potent anti-oxidant as it inhibits oxidation of fatty acids and linoleic acids. (8) Unfortunately though, the benefits of cinnamon on type 2 diabetes is not helpful for post-menopausal women.
(9) It is important to understand that people suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2, do not have too little insulin, instead they have elevated levels of insulin which are not effective. Because of the high levels of circulating insulin, we see the appearance of the secondary signs of diabetes. These include kidney, nerve and eye problems and may include the build up of plaque in arteries. Cinnamon is essential as a dietary aid for diabetics because it contains amazing polyphenols which do two things: These polyphenols activate insulin receptors, which are responsible for sugar entering a cell and they activate glucose transporters. Even better is that the scientist doing the study (Dr Helping Cao) found that these same polyphenols prevent inflammatory diseases such as dermatitis, arthritis, auto-immunity and cardiovascular diseases. This also makes cinnamon a potent anti-inflammatory. (12) A study undertaken in 2006 revealed that just 5 grams of cinnamon resulted in glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity being maintained for a full twelve hours after ingestion. The effects of the cinnamon were immediate.
However in our focus on cinnamon being great for diabetics, we tend to overlook all of its other qualities. (10) Cinnamon is also a potent anti-microbial. It was tested against E.coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Botrytis cinerea. Cinnamon completely destroyed the E.coli activity and demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the other two. What this means is that adding cinnamon to foods, acts as a preservative against decay and germs and is useful to anyone suffering the effects of these pathogens. (b) Another study of the antimicrobial effects of cinnamon, revealed that adding 5 microl of cinnamon oil to 100 ml carrot broth inhibited any growth of Bacillus cereus. Even though this strain grew in refrigerated conditions in untreated broth. Hence due to cinnamon's ability to prevent the growth of bacteria, it is being considered as a food preservative. (11) The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon also helps to maintain electrolyte balance and prevents the derangements in mitochondrial function. (The mitochondria contain enzymes responsible for energy production). Some research is quite diverse. (13) I was amazed to read that cinnamon was studied as an immediate spermicide. And of all the spices studied, cinnamon oil was the most potent. (14) Cinnamon also contains eugenol (found in cloves), together with its cinnamaldehyde and linalaol contents, were studied for their inhibitory effects on human leukemia cells. Cinnamon showed a strong cell proliferation inhibition.
(15) Yet we tend to forget that common spices such as cinnamon also contain nutrition. in 7 grams of powdered cinnamon you will receive 18.9 IU vitamin A, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein, seaxanthin, vitamin C, E, K, niacin, folate, choline, betaine, omega-6 fatty acids, calcium (82.9mg), iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese and selenium! (16) In 2000 nearly 6 % of the US population have diabetes. That is nearly 15.7 million people. The largest portion of these suffer from type 2 diabetes which has its onset usually during midlife. A further 13.4 million people have elevated fasting blood sugar levels, this reveals that they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Because cinnamon assist the body with insulin levels so effectively, scientists are now trying to patent cinnamon compounds as a treatment for both of these conditions. The reason is that cinnamon contains MHCP (methylhydroxy chalcone polymer) which increases glucose metabolism of fat cells by 20 fold. Due to its ability as an antioxidant cinnamon slows and reduces various diabetic health complications. The joy of cinnamon as a diabetic medicine is that it is water soluble, thus its benefits are easily obtained when taken in capsule form. This treatment is also very effective for hypertension because it reduces blood pressure.
In closing, I have a personal success story to share with you. In January 2007 I shared this information with a 36 year old female friend. At that time her blood sugar levels averaged between 8-9 daily. Since our discussion she has been taking a capsule form of dried cinnamon every morning. After three months she had a test taken which tests for blood sugar average for the past three months. This test is known as HbA1C. It revealed that her blood sugar levels had averaged at 5.6 daily for the previous three months. Being actively involved with her, I would ask every morning what her test results were, as she has to test herself daily. After sleep it averaged 6 and went down to normally 5.2 during the day. She had been suffering from type 2 diabetes for just over a year and was considered diabetic. Since taking cinnamon, she stopped taking the prescribed medication from her doctor (Atcos). However she is practicing prudence by sticking to low GI foods. As her story reveals, she successfully maintained healthy sugar levels despite not having the medication. Until she officially takes the normal glucose tolerance test, she shall continue being classified as diabetic, yet as her success reveals, she has not had diabetic sugar levels since consuming cinnamon daily.
My wish for all of us, is that we shall all have as much success with our own health!
References:
1. Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes Alam Khan, MS, PHD1,2,3, Mahpara Safdar, MS1,2, Mohammad Muzaffar Ali Khan, MS, PHD1,2, Khan Nawaz Khattak, MS1,2 and Richard A. Anderson, PHD3
2. Regulation of PTP-1 and Insulin Receptor Kinase by Fractions from Cinnamon: Implications for Cinnamon Regulation of Insulin Signalling Jennifer Imparl-Radosevichd, Shenequa Deasa, Marilyn M. Polanskyb, Deborah A. Baedkec, Thomas S. Ingebritsenc, Richard A. Andersonb, Donald J. Gravesa Hormone Research 1998;50:177-182 (DOI: 10.1159/000023270)
3. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 20, No. 4, 327-336 (2001) Published by the American College of Nutrition
Original Research A Hydroxychalcone Derived from Cinnamon Functions as a Mimetic for Insulin in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Karalee J. Jarvill-Taylor, PhD, Richard A. Anderson, PhD and Donald J. Graves, PhD
4. Cinnamon Extract Prevents the Insulin Resistance Induced by a High-fructose Diet
B. Qin 1, M. Nagasaki 2, M. Ren 3, G. Bajotto 1, Y. Oshida 1, 2, Y. Sato 1, 2 1 Department of Sports Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan 2 Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan 3 Department of Visual Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Insulin potentiating factor and chromium content of selected foods and spices. Khan A, Bryden NA, Polansky MM, Anderson RA. US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, MD 20705.
6. Antioxidant activity of selected Indian spices. Shobana S, Naidu KA. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India.
7. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2003 Dec;62(3):139-48 Cinnamon extract (traditional herb) potentiates in vivo insulin-regulated glucose utilization via enhancing insulin signaling in rats. Qin B, Nagasaki M, Ren M, Bajotto G, Oshida Y, Sato Y. Department of Sports Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
8. 2006 American Society for Nutrition J. Nutr. 136:977-980, April 2006 Nutrition and Disease Cinnamon Supplementation Does Not Improve Glycemic Control in Postmenopausal Type 2 Diabetes Patients Kristof Vanschoonbeek*,1, Bregje J. W. Thomassen, Joan M. Senden, Will K. W. H. Wodzig** and Luc J. C. van Loon*, * Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Movement Sciences, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; and ** Department of Clinical Chemistry, Academic Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands
9. 1 Khan A, Qadir SS, Nawaz K, et al. Cloves improve glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Experimental Biology 2006; April 1-5, 2006; San Francisco, CA. Abstract 640.5 2 Cao H, Polansky MM, Blackshear PJ, et al. Insulin and cinnamon polyphenols increase the amount of insulin receptor b, glucose transporter 4, and anti-inflammatory protein tristetraprolin in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Experimental Biology 2006; April 1-5, 2006; San Francisco, CA. Abstract 612.3 3 Lampke SM, Pavlovich J, Polansky M, et al. Activation of insulin-like activity of proanthocyanidins from cinnamon. Experimental Biology 2006; April 1-5, 2006; San Francisco, CA. Abstract 612.2
Diabetes Cinnamon and cloves: Benefits in diabetes probed - Shelley Wood Information from Industry - Assess clinically focused product information on Medscape.
April 4, 2006 : San Francisco, CA - New research debuting at the Experimental Biology 2006 meeting this week explores the cardiovascular benefits of cinnamon and cloves in diabetics. One study points to improved cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in type 2 diabetics taking the equivalent of one to two cloves per day. Two additional studies explore mechanistic aspects of cinnamon metabolism that could help explain previously reported benefits of cinnamon in diabetics. Dr Richard Anderson (Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, US Department of Agriculture), whose laboratory has pioneered much of the work in this field, oversaw all three studies
10. Synergistic combinations of natural of compounds that control decay of fruits and vegetables and reduce contamination by foodborne human pathogens United States Patent 20030113421
10 b. Int J Food Microbiol. 2003 Aug 15;85(1-2):73-81 Antibacterial activity of 11 essential oils against Bacillus cereus in tyndallized carrot broth. Valero M, Salmeron MC. Departamento de Produccion Vegetal y Microbiologia, Escuela Politecnica Superior de Orihuela, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-Campus de Orihuela, Carretera de Beniel, Km 3.2, 03312, Alicante, Orihuela, Spain
11. Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 22, No. 7, 355-362 (2003) DOI: 10.1191/0960327103ht379oa Comparative study on the effect of cinnamon and clove extracts and their main components on different types of ATPases Julnar Usta - Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Sawsan Kreydiyyeh - Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut Pascale Barnabe, Yolla Bou-Moughlabay -Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Hania Nakkash-Chmaisse - Beirut Arab University, School of Pharmacy, Beirut, Lebanon
12. Effects of short-term cinnamon ingestion on in vivo glucose tolerance T. P. J. Solomon, A. K. Blannin School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Andrew K. Blannin, Exercise Metabolism Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. 30 June 2006; returned for revision 4 November 2006; revised version accepted 6 November 2006
13. Indian J Med Res. 1988 Apr;87:361-3 Effect of certain volatile oils on ejaculated human spermatozoa. Buch JG, Dikshit RK, Mansuri SM.
14. Cytotoxic properties of leaf essential oil and components from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum kaneh) HUANG Tzou-Chi ; HO Chi-Tang ; FU Hui-Yin ; PAN Min-Hsiung ; A.C.S. symposium series (A.C.S. symp. ser.) ISSN 0097-6156 2006, vol. 925, pp. 299-313 American Chemical Society, Washington, DC,
16. Human Nutrition, an ARS National Program (#107) described on the World Wide Web at http://www.nps.ars.usda.gov/programs/ appvs.htm. Richard A. Anderson is at the USDAARS Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Bldg. 307, Room 224, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2350;