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.
Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. K.Vanschoonbeek@HB.unimaas.nl
Kristof
K
Vanschoonbeek
Bregje J W
BJ
Thomassen
Joan M
JM
Senden
Will K W H
WK
Wodzig
Luc J C
LJ
van Loon
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