Cinnamon and diabetes, particularly type two diabetes, appear to have a connection, with cinnamon reducing blood sugar levels and potentially helping people control their diabetes. Studies conducted on cinnamon and diabetes have shown a benefit for patients who take cinnamon regularly as a dietary supplement. Caution is advised when considering dietary supplements as part of a diabetes care plan, as there may be contraindications for some supplements, and it is important to monitor the patient's diabetes closely.
The mechanism through which cinnamon lowers blood sugar is not well understood. Studies on the cinnamon and diabetes connection differentiate between two types of cinnamon, cassia and Ceylon. Researchers believe cassia cinnamon is the varietal with health benefits, and recommend that it be taken in the form of powder-filled capsules. It is important for people with liver conditions to be aware that cinnamon supplements can be dangerous for them.
A number of foods and spices have a known effect on blood sugar and can be used as part of a diabetes care plan to manage a patient's blood sugar naturally. Diabetic diets are focused on carefully controlling blood sugar and adding supplements can help patients manage their blood glucose levels more effectively. When considering cinnamon and diabetes, it is important to think about the risk of not balancing the diet and supplements properly, and ending up with hypoglycemia, where the patient's blood sugar is dangerously low. Monitoring blood glucose levels is important to see how well a patient's management plan is working, and to identify dangerous spikes and dips in blood sugar level.
Most recommendations about cinnamon and diabetes involve patients who are already in treatment and want to add cinnamon to their diabetes care plan. Treatment can include diet and exercise modifications, medication, and the use of glucose monitoring to keep an eye on blood sugar levels. Cinnamon supplements are not intended to replace other forms of treatment for diabetes, but rather to act as a complement to an existing treatment plan. Patients interested in more natural and alternative health care options can consider cinnamon as an addition to a plan for managing diabetes.
When purchasing cinnamon as a nutritional supplement, it is important to purchase products that are in as pure a form as possible. Regulation of dietary supplements is variable and the labeling is not always clear, or completely truthful. People taking cinnamon for diabetes should purchase products made by known and reputable companies to avoid situations where they end up with an unknown or contaminated dietary supplement labeled as cinnamon.