Cinnamon
The Spice that Makes Blood Sugar Nice
By Taryn Forrelli, N.D. - Edited by Christine
Dreher, CCN, CCH
 So
what is the special lure of Cinnamon?
For more than 5,000 years, Cinnamon has been the spice
that has lured humans with its ability to stimulate the senses:. The
name alone evokes thoughts of home, where the smell of savory stews and
scrumptious deserts fills the air and calms the mind. The desire to
experience cinnamon’s exotic aroma, taste its sweet sensation, and
employ its health benefits has spawned wars and, according to some, was
an inspiration for Christopher Columbus’ world exploration. Today, there
is renewed enthusiasm for this ancient botanical which emerging science
suggests that Cinnamon may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels
already within a normal range and help prevent unwanted weight gain when
accompanied by diet and exercise.
Not Your Average Tree Bark!
Cinnamon has been used as a culinary and health
promoting spice since ancient times. It is mentioned in ancient Chinese
texts and was part of a holy anointing oil described in the Bible.
There are two main varieties of cinnamon, verum and aromaticum,
which are native to Sri Lanka and China respectively. The bark of these
evergreen trees has been used throughout history to flavor and preserve
foods as well as warm the body, ease childbirth, and provide relief from
digestive complaints.
The USDA’s Sweet Surprise
The recent revival of cinnamon as a prized health
promoting herb with particular benefits for the metabolic system can
be largely attributed to work done by researchers at the US Department
of Agriculture’s Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center more than a
decade ago. In studying the effects of different foods on blood sugar
levels, the researchers made a surprising discovery. Good old-fashioned
apple pie, despite its high sugar content, did not dramatically alter
blood sugar levels. Through process of elimination, cinnamon was
identified as the ingredient in the pie responsible the desirable
effect. Further research from the USDA and other prestigious
institutions has since elucidated several impressive mechanisms by which
this effect occurs. But, first, a biochemistry lesson…
The Importance of Healthy Insulin Response
All cells in the body are required to have a constant
source of fuel for energy production. For most cells, the preferred fuel
is glucose, which is easily obtained from sugars and starches in the
diet. Since excess glucose in the blood can wreak havoc on the
cardiovascular system, nerves, kidneys, and eyes, the body has developed
a metabolic response system that ensures blood sugar levels are kept
relatively stable. Crucial to this balancing act is insulin, a hormone
produced by the pancreas and released in response to a meal. Insulin
delivers a message to the body’s cells to absorb glucose from the
bloodstream and use it for energy production. The ability of cells to
respond to insulin is critical for not only for maintaining healthy
levels of blood sugar, but for preventing excessive fat production,
inflammation, food cravings, and fatigue. Now, back to cinnamon…
Cinnamon’s Key Chemistries
Cinnamon contains a unique group of phytonutrients
known as polyphenol polymers which have been shown in laboratory
studies to both enhance and mimic insulin activity, increasing
insulin-dependent glucose metabolism roughly twenty times. In other
words, these laboratory studies indicate that, in the presence of these
phytonutrients, glucose may convert more efficiently into energy rather
than be stored as potential energy in the form of fat. Additional
research conducted at Iowa State University suggests that the polyphenol
polymers actually up-regulate the expression of genes involved in
activating the insulin receptor on the cell surface, and thus may
enhance glucose absorption and utilization.
Cinnamon’s polyphenol polymers can’t take all the
credit though. A phytochemical present in the fat-soluble fraction of
cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde has also been shown to support blood
sugar and cholesterol metabolism in animals prone to blood sugar
imbalances, most likely via its ability to modulate inflammation and
quench free radicals, both of which can affect insulin sensitivity.
Taken together, these studies underscore the importance of using
whole cinnamon rather than its isolated constituents for optimally
supporting a healthy blood sugar response.
Moreover, almost all of the human clinical studies
demonstrating the healthy blood sugar metabolism benefits of cinnamon
have featured whole cinnamon or a whole herb extract of it. One
study found that as little as 1 gram (1/4 teaspoon) a day of whole
cinnamon for forty days significantly improved markers of blood sugar
metabolism and cholesterol metabolism. What’s even more impressive is
that the subjects continued to experience the benefits nearly three
weeks after stopping the cinnamon, suggesting a sustained mechanism of
action. In other words, it is okay if you miss a serving every now and
then.
In addition to supporting normal insulin
sensitivity, a recent clinical study suggests that taking cinnamon with
a meal high in carbohydrates may lessen the meal’s impact on blood sugar
metabolism by helping to slow the rate at which the stomach empties
after meals. The slower the stomach empties, the slower sugar is
released into the bloodstream, and the easier it is to utilize. In the
study, researchers gave 14 healthy subjects 300 grams (1.2 cups) of rice
pudding alone or seasoned with 6 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of cinnamon. The
addition of cinnamon lowered the rate at which the stomach emptied from
37% to 34.5% and resulted in more stable blood sugar levels after
eating.
 Whether
your health goal is to maintain normal blood sugar balance already
within a normal range, healthy weight, or support cardiovascular health
which is linked to both of these things, this ancient spice may be your
best herbal ally. But don’t worry, you need not sprinkle it on
everything you eat. A product called
Cinnamonforce formulated by New Chapter features a unique blend of
verum and aromaticum cinnamon, both of which are Potency Assured™
for bioactive polyphenols and cinnamaldehyde. New Chapter’s unique
supercritical extraction process gently concentrates the full spectrum
of phytonutrients available in cinnamon without the use of harsh
solvents or heat. Two capsules provide the equivalent of 1 gram of the
world’s finest cinnamon blend. Now you can have your sugar and use it
too!
Cinnamonforce by New Chapter promotes healthy weight management by
helping glucose do its primary work – creating immediate cellular energy
– rather than ending up as “stored” potential energy in the form of fat
deposits.
New Chapter’s
Supercritical Diet & Energy formula also contains formula also
contains this proprietary blend of whole cinnamon extracts (Cinnamomum
aromaticum and Cinnamomum verum) to assist with blood sugar balance when
dieting.
For more information on
Cinnamonforce by New Chapter, click here.
For more information on
SuperCritical Diet & Energy, click here.
Additional Cinnamon Article Resources:
REFERENCES:
Anderson RA, Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM, et al.
Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-A polymers from
cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2004
Jan 14;52(1):65-70.
Imparl-Radosevich J, Deas S, Polansky MM, et al.
Regulation of PTP-1 and insulin receptor kinase by fractions from
cinnamon: implications for cinnamon regulation of insulin signaling.
Horm Res. 1998 Sep;50(3):177-82.
Subash Babu P, Prabuseenivasan S, Ignacimuthu S.
Cinnamaldehyde--a potential antidiabetic agent. Phytomedicine. 2007
Jan;14(1):15-22. Epub 2006 Nov 30.
Khan A, Safdar M, Muzaffar Ali Khan M, Nawak Khattak
K, Anderson RA. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type
2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8.
Hlebowicz J, Darwiche G, Björgell O, Almér LO. Effect
of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety
in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1552-6. |
