Cinnamon and Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease where the insulin in our body is not enough to maintain the blood sugar level at normal. This is a chronic and endocrine disease and if left untreated could lead to fatal complications or even to death. The initial symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, increased thirst, and unusual weight loss with increased hunger. Further symptoms can be insensitivity in the hands and feet.

Due to high blood sugar levels the kidneys have to work overtime to absorb the sugar. Also the high sugar levels in blood drain the fluids from tissues causing blurry vision and dry skin. It also causes thickening of arteries causing heart diseases. Hence it is very much necessary to keep the blood sugar level in normal bounds. If diabetes is left untreated it may lead to complications like diabetes coma, damage of kidneys, etc. and may also lead to death.

A new accidental discovery has been made by Richard Anderson at the US department of agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Centre in Beltsville, Maryland. It is found by Mr. Anderson that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day decreases the blood sugar level. Cinnamon has additional benefits like managing LDL lipoprotein, triglycerides and lowering the blood vessels of fat and unhealthy cholesterol. It is also rich in magnesium, (which is also linked to some dramatic forms of diabetes) which is vital for maintaining bone density, electrolyte balance, and many other crucial biochemical processes. This is however recommended only for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus sufferers.

The food we take is digested and broken down into smaller molecules like glucose. The hormone insulin, which is secreted by the islets of Langerhans present near the pancreas, helps the cells consume cells and either stores it as fat or is converted into energy. The active ingredient in cinnamon, a water soluble polyphenol compound called MHCP, acts just like insulin. MHCP is not found in the oils sold as additives and is only found in cinnamon as a whole.

Though cinnamon is used in pies, buns, etc; it is recommended not to consume such food as there is a lot more intake of sugar as well. Cinnamon can be used by adding it in the powder form to your daily food or in your tea. Powdered cinnamon can be obtained at any food store and is hence also thought to be a very cost effective herbal medication.