A new study [2008] has questioned the benefits of cinnamon in the management of diabetes.
Cinnamon has been used as a spice in several cultures for centuries. It was traditionally used mainly as a stomachic and carminative for gastrointestinal complaints and is still used for these conditions today. The bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and C. cassia is used as spice (cinnamon bark). These two species are the only approved medicinal herbs of the genus Cinnamomum.
At this time, there are no high-quality human trials supporting the efficacy of cinnamon for any indication. However, recent laboratory research has discovered new potential properties of several cinnamon species.
The treatment of diabetes (type 2) seems to be the most promising field of research for cinnamon. Although there are conflicting results from two randomized studies, the results from lab and animal studies indicate significant blood sugar-lowering effects.
Researchers from the University of Connecticut conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cinnamon to better characterize its impact on glucose (blood sugar) and plasma lipids (fatty compounds in the blood).
The systematic literature search through July 2007 was used to identify randomized placebo-controlled trials of cinnamon that reported data on A1C, fasting blood glucose (FBG) or lipid parameters. The mean change in each study end point from baseline was treated as a continuous variable, and the weighted mean difference was calculated as the difference between the mean value in the treatment and control groups. A random-effects model was used.
Five prospective randomized controlled trials (282 participants total) were identified. Upon meta-analysis, the use of cinnamon did not significantly alter A1C, FBG or lipid parameters. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses did not significantly change the results.
The study authors concluded that cinnamon does not appear to improve A1C, FBG or lipid parameters in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
References:
1. Baker WL, Gutierrez-Williams G, White CM, et al. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes Care. 2008 Jan;31(1):41-3. Epub 2007 Oct 1. View Abstract.
2. Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2008.
http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com
http://back2basicnutrition.com/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment