Cinnamon supplementation does not improve glycemic control in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes patients.
In vitro and in vivo animal studies have reported strong insulin-like or insulin-potentiating effects after cinnamon administration. Recently, a human intervention study showed that cinnamon supplementation (1 g/d) strongly reduced fasting blood glucose concentration (30%) and improved the blood lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamon supplementation on insulin sensitivity and/or glucose tolerance and blood lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, a total of 25 postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes (aged 62.9 +/- 1.5 y, BMI 30.4 +/- 0.9 kg/m2) participated in a 6-wk intervention during which they were supplemented with either cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia, 1.5 g/d) or a placebo. Before and after 2 and 6 wk of supplementation, arterialized blood samples were obtained and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. Blood lipid profiles and multiple indices of whole-body insulin sensitivity were determined. There were no time x treatment interactions for whole-body insulin sensitivity or oral glucose tolerance. The blood lipid profile of fasting subjects did not change after cinnamon supplementation. We conclude that cinnamon supplementation (1.5 g/d) does not improve whole-body insulin sensitivity or oral glucose tolerance and does not modulate blood lipid profile in postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes. More research on the proposed health benefits of cinnamon supplementation is warranted before health claims should be made.
Vanschoonbeek
Kristof
K
Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. K.Vanschoonbeek@HB.unimaas.nl
Thomassen
Bregje J W
BJ
Senden
Joan M
JM
Wodzig
Will K W H
WK
van Loon
Luc J C
LJ
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos