AskNadia: I Use Cinnamon to Control My Blood Sugar
I have type 2 diabetes which came on as a side effect from anther chronic illness and I use cinnamon to manage my blood sugars.
Cheryl
Dear Cheryl:
I have not come across a scientific study that supports cinnamon as a therapy for regulating daily blood sugar levels. My concern with your statement is, if you are not testing your blood sugar and are assuming your cinnamon consumption is sufficient to bring down a high blood sugar or maintain normal blood sugar levels, you may find yourself in the emergency room with ketoacidosis. A diabetes complication where hyperglycemia and high levels of ketones can create a critical condition.
Cinnamon has received a lot of press as a lowering blood sugar supplement with marketers in full force, attracting people with diabetes who want to maintain good blood sugar levels by using their product. These supplements are not a substitute for glucose monitoring, diet, exercise or a customized therapy from your healthcare professional.
Research studies show that cinnamon consumption is beneficial to lipids, cardiovascular disease and A1C’s. However, more research is required. All supplements are not equal. Cinnamon used in the studies that concluded the benefits might not be as easily duplicated. The quality, source, concentration, and processing vary making it difficult to project the same outcome.
If you want to take a cinnamon supplement as a proactive strategy to lower your A1c, there is research that supports this. Bear in mind that the FDA does not regulate the efficacy of these supplements. For this reason, I would conduct a study by working with your healthcare professional. Get your A1C tested, ask your physician if you are on any medication that could adversely be affected by any supplements, including cinnamon and ask how many milligrams of cinnamon you should take a day. The range I have seen varies from 1 milligram to 560 milligrams per day.
I hope this helps in bringing you closer to your next step in blood sugar management.
Wishing you the best in health.
Nadia
Disclaimer:
Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.
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About Nadia:
AskNadia (ranked #1 by Google), named “Best Diabetes Blog for 2017 by Healthline and with 23 nominations, Nadia Al-Samarrie’s efforts have made her stand out as a pioneer and leading patient advocate in the diabetes community.
Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.
