Dietary supplements are enjoying a spike in their popularity, and it has, therefore, become urgent for health professionals to become more knowledge on the matter. Unfortunately, most of them (myself included) shy away from dietary supplements since studies are often mixed, inconclusive, of poor quality, or plain-out unavailable.
But what should you do when you receive patients inquiring about them?
You’re left with no choice but to dig into the literature.
The Link between Cinnamon and Diabetes
Cinnamon bark has a long history in Western and Eastern Medicine. Even today, cinnamon is used to treat a wide range of ailments such as bloating, dyspepsia, and anorexia.
The anti-diabetic effect of cinnamon came about when studies have noted its positive effects on glycemia. Through the activation of insulin receptors, glycogenesis, and other mechanisms, cinnamon is believed to increase insulin sensitivity and offer better control over blood sugar levels. To address the efficacy of cinnamon for people with type 2 diabetes, the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conducted a review.
Cinnamon Supplement: Yay or Nay?
Canadian Diabetes Association: “Natural health products are not recommended for glycemic control for individuals with diabetes as there is insufficient evidence, at this time, regarding efficacy and safety.”
NCCIH: “There is not enough scientific evidence to suggest that any dietary supplements can help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.”
While most studies included in their analysis noted a decrease in glycemia, they were of poor quality and lack significance. While previous studies have shown that reducing A1C levels by 1% lowers the risk of microvascular complications by a whopping 28%, the authors only found a mean decrease of 0.49% in A1C. They concluded that consumption of cinnamon supplement “may not be clinically significant”, although it may offer “modest effects on FPG [fasting plasma glucose] and HbA1c, and that it does not achieve levels that indicate success of treatment.” Combining cinnamon supplement with hypoglycemic medication could offer an addictive effect. Other highly-ranked authoritative figures such as the Canadian Diabetes Association, the National Health Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and the American Diabetes Association also remain reserve on the use of cinnamon for the management of glycemia in people with type 2 diabetes and do not endorse its use.
Bottom Line
The authors of the review do not recommend cinnamon supplement as a blood sugar-lowering agent. Instead, people with diabetes should continue to follow the traditional approach which includes a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and taking anti-diabetic drugs as prescribed.
[expand title=”References“]
Canadian Diabetes Association. URL Link. Accessed January 30, 2017.
Costello RB, Dwyer JT, Saldanha L, Bailey RL, Merkel J, Wambogo E. Do Cinnamon Supplements Have a Role in Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes? A Narrative Review. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(11):1794-1802.
NCCIH. URL Link. Accessed January 30, 2017.
[/expand]
