Should People with Diabetes Take Cinnamon?

John Russo, Jr., PharmD

There's always hope that a natural treatment for diabetes will emerge. Unfortunately, for the 26 million children and adults in the United States — 8.3% of the population — that have diabetes, cinnamon isn't it.

Interest in cinnamon was fueled initially by a 2003 study of 60 patients. Taking up to one teaspoonful of cinnamon daily lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 18% to 29%. By comparison, there was no change in the placebo-treated group.

Unfortunately, inconsistent results from subsequent studies have confused the issue. Yes, a 2010 study found that "2 grams of cinnamon for 12 weeks significantly reduces the A1c… among poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients." A1c is the standard for measuring long-term diabetes control. This year, however, it was reported, "3 grams cinnamon did not alter blood glucose levels following high-fat test meal."

The bottom line.
In all of these studies, cinnamon was added to ongoing diabetes treatment. Cinnamon is not a substitute for a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise, and diabetes medications or insulin therapy in selected patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, there’s no reason to think it might be useful in people with type 1 diabetes.

For those whose glass it half full and want to try cinnamon, Cassia cinnamon — the kind most studied and used in baking and cooking in the U.S. — appears safe, although people with liver damage and those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) should discuss potential problems with their doctor.

The evidence supporting other remedies to treat diabetes is reviewed in the next article.

Review of Natural Treatments for Diabetes
John Russo, Jr., PharmD

Research shows that 35% to 48% of patients with diabetes use some form of complementary and alternative medical therapy. Moreover, more than 800 plants have been used to treat diabetes. Here’s a quick review of what we know about the most often mentioned herbals and other "natural" treatments for diabetes. Since diabetics are people, only studies in people (not animals) with diabetes are included.

Chromium (an essential trace element)

• A review concluded that chromium reduces A1c (the standard for assessing long term diabetes control) and fasting blood glucose levels.
• Unfortunately, the studies were of poor quality, providing little direction on the proper use of chromium for diabetes.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

• Limited evidence supports fenugreek.

Fiber (wheat, guar, beet, soy, corn, agar, glucomannan, psyllium, and mixtures)

• Little evidence that fiber improves control of diabetes.

Garlic

• Reported benefits are preliminary.
• More research is needed to determine if people with diabetes are able to maintain blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

Ginseng (American [Panax quinquefolius] and Asian or Korean ginseng [Panax ginseng])

• Both types of Panax ginsengs may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
• However, Asian or Korean ginseng has also reportedly raised blood sugar levels.

Green and black tea

• No hypoglycemic effect was found in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Gymnema sylvestre

• A1c levels were reduced in 2 small studies.
• There is one report of liver injury in a patients taking G. sylvestre.

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon

• Bitter melon 2,000 mg/day has a modest hypoglycemic effect in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• The response is less than with metformin (Glucophage 1,000 mg/day).

Onion

• A significant decrease in blood sugar levels was reported in 20 people taking fresh onion (3 X 20 grams per day) in addition to a prescribed diet.
• Unfortunately, the diets were not identical in the two groups, making it impossible to evaluate the effect of taking onion.

Stevioside (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

• This commercial sweetener reduced post meal blood sugar levels in a study of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Vanadium (trace element)

• Several preliminary studies (short term, lacking placebo control) reported reduced fasting blood glucose levels