Cinnamon and Type 2 Diabetes

Cinnamon is a well-known and aromatic spice that is included in many recipes to add zing to its taste. A dash of cinnamon powder can dramatically transform the taste of food or drink. These days the popular kitchen spice has evolved and is being used not only for culinary purposes but also in the field of medicine, to treat diseases. Well it may sound too good to be true but researchers in the field of medicine have come across the numerous medicinal properties of this spice. One such health disorder that relies on cinnamon as a remedial measure is diabetes.

Cinnamon for Diabetes Control - Is It Effective?

Diabetes is a health disorder where the glucose levels in the blood tend to increase. This may be due to age factor or also due to the malfunctioning of the pancreas, which produce insulin. Insulin is an enzyme which keeps a check on the blood sugar levels and prevents it from rising. In some cases, diabetes can also be hereditary. Pregnant women may also suffer from what is known as gestational diabetes, which may come back to normal after childbirth. Whatever be the reason, diabetes is one such health condition that can slowly deteriorate the health of a person, if not diagnosed and treated on time. Hence several drugs and medications, natural and chemically formulated, have come into being which are used as a means for diabetes treatment.

Type 2 diabetes is a disorder where the body develops a resistance to insulin or even though the pancreas secrete sufficient insulin, the body is unable to put it to full use. There was a recent research that revealed cinnamon and type 2 diabetes are indeed linked and taking cinnamon for diabetes, helps keep a check on the blood glucose levels and also help in increasing the insulin production. Incorporating cinnamon for type 2 diabetes enhances the secretion of insulin, which further may bring down the level of blood glucose. There are two varieties of cinnamon - cassia and ceylon, the former being used for treating type 2 diabetes and the later in various recipes to spice up the flavor of food.

Cinnamon cassia contains an active ingredient called methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP), a chemical that triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin, increasing the body's insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon can be taken in the form of powder, capsules, pills and even liquid. One of the benefits of cinnamon in case of type 2 diabetes treatment, it that it activates the insulin receptors in the body. It not only lowers the blood glucose levels, but also keeps a check on the low density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. The connection between cinnamon and type 2 diabetes was further proved when some researchers conducted a study on a group of volunteers. The volunteers, who had high blood sugar levels, were told to include a small quantity of cinnamon in their daily diet for about one week. At the end of one week their blood tests revealed a healthy drop in their blood glucose levels. Hence cinnamon treatment for diabetes was found to be effective. However, one must also be aware of the cinnamon side effects as including too much cinnamon can lead to a condition known as hypoglycemia, where the blood sugar levels drop below normal.

It is essential to treat diabetes with diet and medication so that this health disorder is under control and does not cause any unnecessary complications. Before taking any natural remedy for treating type 2 diabetes or any other health disorder for that matter, it is always advisable to consult a health care provider. Wish you good health and take care!