Therapeutic Uses
Diabetes
Cinnamon may be especially important to people with
diabetes. Mainly the bark is used medicinally. A polyphenol
compound—with the tongue[1]twisting
name methylhydroxychalcone—is found in cassia cinnamon. It is this
compound that may be responsible for cinnamon’s main medical benefit:
lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes. The compound seems to
affect insulin receptors and aid in the formation of glycogen, or stored
sugar. Cinnamon also has antibacterial effects (from the essential oil)
and antioxidant effects (from the polyphenols), the latter probably
helping with some of the complications of diabetes.
Cassia cinnamon has been studied in clinical
trials, primarily by looking at fasting blood sugar levels in people
with diabetes. Although one study found improvements in fasting blood
sugar (as much as 29 percent in some cases) and cholesterol levels in
people with type 2 diabetes, other studies have found no effect. It may
be that cinnamon works better in people whose diabetes is poorly
controlled, but there may be other factors, such as genetics and
medications, that explain why sometimes cinnamon helps and other times
it doesn’t.
How to Use
Powder: For diabetics, powdered cinnamon spice is
an option—but for positive effects on blood sugar levels. it is
necessary to use approximately 1 teaspoon daily.
Precautions
Cinnamon is well tolerated, though the volatile oil
can cause a skin rash. Cassia and other cinnamons contain small amounts
of coumarin; blood[1]thinning
and liver problems generally occur with this compound only if large
amounts are taken over long periods. To be safe, caution is advised for
anyone with liver problems. Due to its blood-thinning effects, people
should stop taking cinnamon in quantities greater than use as a spice at
least one week prior to surgery. Medicinal doses are not recommended
during pregnancy. Close monitoring of blood sugar levels in diabetics is
warranted to avoid unsafe lowering of blood sugar
