Hi, me again. Anyone have any experience with cinnamon lowering blood sugars? I have been trying cinnamon and have found it to definately help lower my sugars. I am currently taking about 1 tsp, in capsules, with each meal that I have any carbs.

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This cinnanim thing is interesting to me. I have a question--does your meal consist of 3 carbs at 15 grams each or does it help you even if your carb intake for that meal is over 45 grams?
Also, do you know of any side effects from cinnamin? Does it interfer with any other drugs like those for lowering blood pressure or cholesterol?
Somehow, it just seems to easy, but yet, if it works, why not try it?
I'll be looking forward to your answer.
Thanks

Yes it does sound easy and probably why no one researched it is that there is no big money profit involved. I read about this in a health magazine from my food co-op. Then I was concerned about the large amount of a spice probably not used in these quanities. I just went to the internet and typed in cinnamon/diabetes and am finding more sites as I continue to look. But the only one I can find with any scientific data refers to a Dr Richard Anderson who is to soon begin a research study with humans on the effects of cinnamon and blood sugar. He said it can't hurt you and may help. I look forward to more info or studies. I started with 1 tsp a meal and my fbs was down 20 points the next day. But then I got concerned about the amount, researched it more and am now taking 1tsp with meals and 1/2tsp with snacks and adding it to any cooking that fits with the spice. I make a great oat bran muffin which I add liberal amounts of cinnamon. I got veggie capsules at my co-op, size 00, and fill them with bulk cinnamon. 5-6 capsules=1tsp.

As to the carb question. 45 is way to many for me!!!!! I have had diabetes for 4 years and am continuing to struggle with the right solution I can live with and stay healthy and satisfied. I am currently trying to be very conscious of carbs and limit myself to 15gm per meal and two 7 1/2gm snacks a day. I read in the Dr Schwartzenbein(sp)book that this fits my activity level. If you are a lot more active and or are not trying to loose weight a higher # of carbs would be ok. What do your 1 or 2hr post eating blood sugars look like with 45 or more carbs a meal--that is the bottom line, what the amount does to your blood sugar.

I, too, checked out cinnamon on the internet sites and it is used to lower blood glucose numbers. The Chinese used it for its medicinal properties many, many years ago. It can also be used for other things. It somehow makes the body more efficiently use insulin. But it says 1/4 to 1/2 teasp. after each meal should do it. I will try and see what happens.
With eating 45 grams per meal, 2 hours after eating, by blood sugar number is usually in the 110-120 range. However, the amount of each carb. is like 1/2 baked pot. (small), 1/2 cup of other potatoes, 1/2 cup of corn, 1 glass of skim milk, and sometimes a 15 gram dessert like non-fat, no sugar added yogurt, a low flat 1/2 cup serving of pudding. I walk 2 mi. a day 4 days a week also. BUT I realize that I am in the beginning stages of this thing and it could and most likely will get much worse as time goes on. So far, limiting each meal to that amount and sometimes having a 10grm. carb snack such as a sugar-less fudge bar between meals or 3 cups of popcorn, I have lost 13 lbs. But then again, I know that this good result will most likely not always happen, but for now it works.
I am going to try the cinnamon, however.
And also monitor anyone else's comments on taking this spice.

It sounds like you blood sugars are under pretty good control. It doesn't necessarily get worse as time goes on though. My understanding is that with good control of blood sugars the complications are eliminated and or greately reduced. I lost then gained 14 lbs last year with a lot of stress in my life. I think that is part of the reason I am having greater difficulty in getting my sugars normal. I keep going through stages of denial with this disease. I go through phases of self pity and anger, then get emotional and eat for comfort. But I keep trying to jump back on the wagon, educating and motivating myself. I am doing really well now. It is really about a big change in life style.

Hi
I'm still curious about this cinnamon thing. This morning after breakfast, I measured 1/4 teasp. into a cup of warm water, put in some Equal, and had a nice warm drink. After 2-3 hrs. I checked my blood sugar and it was 95. BUT this was after having just walked 2 mi., so I don't know if the cinnamon had any effect or not. This morning's fasting level was 135 after bedtime level last night of 120. This thing has really got me puzzled.
Two questions: Why would it be higher in the morning than the night before with no food intake? And, does this cinnamon begin to work right away after one dose or does it take a cumulative amount for results? Always appreciate answers here.
Keep working away at the carb thing--it's the ONLY thing that has helped me so far. I know that the minute that I ignore it and go over the 45 grams or less per meal, I am in trouble again. Starting tonight when my daughter has my birthday meal for the family. I don't even want to test in the morning, but guess I will out of curiousity and probably necessity.

Hi!

I have heard that blood sugars can be higher in the am-is this what someone posted as being the "Dawn Effect?"

It is very depressing reading about having to limit carbs at every meal to less than 45 grams. This is very difficult to do on a long term basis. I have not been diagnosed with diabetes (normal fasting level, Hemoglobin A1C of 6.3 and some normal levels at 2 hours, some abnormal) I have been finding that evenings are worse for me. Two hours after dinner consisting of sliced turkey, 1 slice of pumpernickel bread, fresh peppers and cukes, and a cup of tea (this is definitely less than 45 grams) I can have a reading of 160. When I had a bagel instead of the bread, putting the total over 45 gms, I got a reading of about 200 at 2 hours. Yet in the am, I tried hotcakes and eggs and at 2 hours my reading was normal, down around 120.

I have not heard of the cinnamon idea, sounds interesting.

Chris

Hi Chris, I've said it before and I'll say it again...WHOLE eggs do not raise cholesterol. It's a fallacy. The egg white alone blocks the cholesterol in the yoke. Somewhat like cholesterol, egg whites are antagonists to carbohydrates and sugars. That's why you can enjoy your hotcakes and syrup. I toss three eggs, fried in Pam, on top of three hotcakes, pour on syrup and enjoy. God bless,,,,, Oldguy

PS: Just wondering now, would egg whites in regular meals cause lower blood suga???

Hi!

I wasn't thinking in terms of raising cholesterol but I did wonder if it was the egg (protein) that kept the sugar situation under control The true test would be to eat that combo for dinner and see if it has the same effect on me. No matter what I eat for breakfast, if I don't eat again in about 3 hours I will have hypoglycemic symptoms. This doesn't happen after lunch or dinner, so I am guessing my metabolism is brisk in the am. The evenings where my sugar has remained elevated 3 and 4 hours after dinner I am still not hungry.

Chris

Hi JB, About the cinnamon. I found less than 1 tsp for me didn't have much effect. But it did have an immediate effect. Also if I eat more carbs than I should I take extra cinnamon. Check out on this OLD board site, I found a post about cinnamon, the guy took up to 3 1/2 tsp at a meal.

Chris, the egg lowering bs is interesting. It could be the combination of protein and carbs as suggested or maybe more. I guess we are all individual and I know I need to check my bs more often to really get a handle of how I am responding. Plus trying to stick to a more strict diet ie low carbs. I really do respond well to low carbs.

Hi JB,
Renee' here, we sound so much alike. I do wonderful, then fall off the wagon. I overeat, eat the wrong thing, get very angry, depressed and the cycle starts all over again. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif It is very exhausting. I try to keep the education going, so I live this disease everyday. My sister told me about the cinnamon, but for me with this disease, I find the daily rituals unfun. Although I keep trying. But the cycle is frustrating. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/mad.gif I get very upset with myself when I cave, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif for food. After the fact, I am so mad, I feel like crap for being high, lay in my bed and cry. This is driving my husband crazy. I - we just keep trying. Renee' http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi to Renee
Just got back from a 2-week vacation and since we stayed in a place on the 2nd floor with no elevator, I was getting plenty of exercise going to and from the room. Also, walked 2-1/2 mi. each morning and a little more on the beach each afternoon. No problems with blood sugar there--was actually low at times, so I guess I must say that exercise is a very big thing in keeping blood sugars down. I did limit my carbs to 3 per meal, but did once and awhile snatch one in between. So far, so good. And no cinnamon--guess I just have to keep working hard here at home to maintain exercise levels. (I always walk 2 mi. 4 days a week anyway at home)
Meanwhile, don't despair--there is a way out of every mess like this--keep trying--I always compare the problem to worse ones and then feel better.
Let me know how you are doing. Good luck.