Study: cinnamon and blood sugar reinterpreted
Study: cinnamon and blood sugar reinterpreted
Reference
Allen RW, Schwartzman E, Baker WL, Coleman CI, PHUNG OJ. Use of cinnamon for type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. ann. 2013; 11 (5): 452-459.
Design
A meta-analysis was carried out using randomized controlled studies (RCTS) that provided data on the effect of cinnamon ( cinnamomum spp ) on type 2 diabetes and were published before February 2012. Literature research identified 83 possible studies on the inclusion, 10 of which were included in this analysis.
participant
The 10 selected RCTs included a total of 543 patients with type 2 diabetes, of whom 254 received in their respective cinnamon study.
study medication and dosage
There were considerable differences in the amount of the cinnamon used and the duration of the studies included in this meta -analysis. The cinnamon doses ranged from 120 mg per day up to 6 g a day. The duration of studies was only 4 weeks and up to 18 weeks.
target parameter
The selected studies included at least one of the following biomarkers: glycated hemoglobin (A1C), sober plas maglukose, total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) or triglycerides.
most important knowledge
In this analysis, the intake of cinnamon was associated with a significant decline in sober glucose, the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and the triglyceride. HDL cholesterol rose significantly. No significant effect was observed on A1C.
The sober glucose value dropped around 25 mg/dl (–24.59 mg/dl; 95 %confidence interval). [CI]: –40.52 to –8.67 mg/dl). The total cholesterol fell by almost 16 points (–15.60 mg/dl; 95 %-KI: –29.76 to –1.44 mg/dl); LDL cholesterol by just over 9 (–9.42 mg/dl; 95 %-KI: –17.21 to –1.63 mg/dl); and triglyceride by almost 30 points (–29.59 mg/dl; 95 % KI: –48.27 to –10.91 mg/dl). HDL cholesterol rose slightly by one and a half points (1.66 mg/dl; 95 %-KI: 1.09 to 2.24 mg/dl).
effects on practice
Will cinnamon prove to be useful in the treatment of diabetes? This question was not easy to answer.
The data of this current analysis suggest that taking cinnamon could have a light, but possibly still useful effect in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, we have to consider that this is only one of several meta -analyzes that have dealt with this question and have led to somewhat mixed results.
In some studies, taking 1 g to 1.2 g cinnamon per day was associated with a deterioration in the blood parameters for diabetes; Both the sober glucose and the A1C levels increased.
This current analysis is promising; Some of the effects are not only significant, but also clinically relevant. In this magazine one of us has a comment on a meta -analysis by Akilen et al. made from 2012 4 and expressed his opinion that the effects of cinnamon were statistically significant, but in his opinion the results were not clinically relevant. In other words, the results may have been real, but were not big enough to make a big difference. In this current meta-analysis, the A1C values did not improve, but Zimt had a positive impact on a number of biomarkers in connection with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Since reducing the CVD risk is an important goal for diabetics, these findings are important.
A comparison of the changes in the CVD biomarkers reported here with changes due to "established" therapies could put the value of cinnamon into perspective.
In this current meta-analysis, the A1C values did not improve, but Zimt had a positive impact on a number of biomarkers in connection with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Since reducing the CVD risk is an important goal for diabetics, these findings are important.
The decline in the sober-blooded blank by 25 mg/dl corresponds to about half the effect of metformin. 5 The reductions in the LDL cholesterol and triglyceride level (9.4 mg/dl or 29.6 mg/dl) are also less than with the usual LipidSenkern Pravastatin and Gemfibrozil, which reduce the LDL cholesterol and triglyceride level by about 10 %50 mg/dl (26 %) or 50 mg/dl (31 %). of statins often occur.
The fact that the sober blood sugar (FBS) reacts to cinnamon without a significant change in the A1C level is difficult to understand. The A1C values reflect a 3-month average of the nightly and post-meal values. A reduction in the FB should lower the A1C values. One could expect that a decline in the sober glucose mirror by 25 points with a drop in the A1C by 0.5 % to 1 %. This inconsistency of the data confuses both of us.
Even if there were some high postprandial glucose values during the day, the glucose values should have a waste of at least 0.5 % due to the long nightly waste of the glucose values. The study period is a possible explanation for this discrepancy. Changes in the A1C values are typically measured at intervals of three months. Since some of the studies analyzed in this meta-analysis only had a period of four weeks, the A1C values may have distorted the net results in their data. However, six of the ten studies contained in this meta-analysis took 12 or more weeks and their results were not significant for lower A1C values.
At cinnamon, the dosage can play a role. Since the blood sugar reactions, as already mentioned, follow a hormetic curve, it was reported that lower doses (1-1.2 g/day) increase blood sugar and cholesterol. Although this may provide an explanation for the contradicting data, we presents us with a clinical challenge. Tell the patient that they should take cinnamon is not a good idea if they have to consume a significant minimum amount to prevent an undesirable increase in blood sugar.
None of this data suggests what we really want to know, namely how cinnamon could work in combination with other plant extracts, vitamins and minerals that could treat diabetes. The data also does not respond to the question of how Zimt -Synergetically could improve a typical naturopathic protocol that includes a low -carbohydrate diet as well as encouragement and advice to patients for moving, good sleep and stress relief. In combination with cinnamon, these other substances that independently have a blood sugar -lowering effect can have additives or possibly synergistic effects with cinnamon. Our clinical experience certainly suggests that this happens.
- Vanschoonbeek K, Thomassen BJ, Senden JM, Wodzig WK, van Loon LJ. A cinnamon supplement does not improve blood sugar control in patients with postmenopausal type 2 diabetes. j Nutr. 2006; 136 (4): 977-980.
- Blevins SM, Leyva MJ, Brown J, Wright J, Scofield Rh, Aston CE. Effect of cinnamon on the glucose and lipid level in the case of non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. Diabetes treatment. 2007; 30 (9): 2236-2237.
- Wainstein J, Stern N, Heller S, Boaz M. Dietary supplement with cinnamon and changes in systolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. j med food. 2011; 14 (12): 1505-1510.
- Akilen R, Tsiami A, Devendra D, Robinson N. Zimt in blood sugar control: Systematic review and meta -analysis. Clin nutr. 2012; 31 (5): 609-615.
- Inzucchi SE, Maggs DG, Spollett Gr, et al. Effectiveness and metabolic effects of metformin and troklitazone in type II diabetes mellitus. n Engl J med. 1998; 338 (13): 867-872.
- No authors listed. Influence of pravastatin and plasmalipids on clinical events in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (Woscops). traffic. 1998; 97 (15): 1440-1445.
- Rubins HB, Robins SJ, Collins D, et al. Gemfibrozilzur Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in men with a low mirror of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Veterans Affairs High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol intervention study group. n Engl J med. 1999; 341 (6): 410-418.