tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post5087305517800866657..comments2024-03-26T05:07:24.149+11:00Comments on .: News BriefsGI Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07609354784645028388noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-12692831101701161982008-10-13T09:16:00.000+11:002008-10-13T09:16:00.000+11:00We have written about cinnamon a few times in GI N...We have written about cinnamon a few times in GI News (use our Google search facility to check out the previous stories.). In the most recent (December 2007) we reported on a study published in Diabetes Care (30:2236-2237, 2007) that came to the conclusion that the jury’s still out on whether cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) makes the body cells more sensitive to insulin. Here’s a summary: <BR/>“Some small studies have shown that cassia cinnamon can reduce the blood glucose rise after eating. But it's too soon to recommend people with diabetes tuck into this spice and think it will steady their blood glucose levels naturally, according to researchers from University of Oklahoma in September Diabetes Care. In this latest study, 43 adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly given either cinnamon capsules or a placebo every day for three months. The cinnamon group took two capsules a day, each of which contained 500 milligrams of the spice. The placebo group took capsules containing wheat flour. In the end, there were no significant differences in glucose, cholesterol, A1C or insulin levels according to the researchers led by Dr Steve M. Blevins.<BR/><BR/>The reason for the conflicting findings from this and earlier studies may have to do with differences in the study groups according to Blevins and his colleagues. Most of the volunteers in the current study, for example, were on various diabetes drugs; in Khan’s 2003 study that found cinnamon reduced blood glucose levels, none of the participants were on any of these drugs. The researchers conclude that we need more studies to see whether factors such as diet, ethnicity, BMI, glucose levels, cinnamon dose and concurrent medication might affect cinnamon responsiveness. Until then, they write, cinnamon cannot be generally recommended for treatment of type 2 diabetes in an American population.”<BR/>– Diabetes CareGI Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609354784645028388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-16603507010409037812008-10-13T08:53:00.000+11:002008-10-13T08:53:00.000+11:00My understanding from the research I've read is th...My understanding from the research I've read is that the daily cinnamon dose has to be in the 3-4 gram range (3,000-4,000 mg). That's six-eight 500 mg capsules. At lower doses, the cinnamon doesn't reach efficacy on helping control BG levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-45402087680992746712007-12-07T15:16:00.000+11:002007-12-07T15:16:00.000+11:00When you are thirsty the best drink is water and m...When you are thirsty the best drink is water and most of us don't drink enough of the stuff. It's free and has no kilojoules. If you want something hot, why note check out some of the delicious herbal and fruit/berry teas around.GI Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609354784645028388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-22987659564877071252007-12-07T09:20:00.000+11:002007-12-07T09:20:00.000+11:00Re tea - I'm not convinced that I want extra insul...Re tea - I'm not convinced that I want extra insulin sloshing around. I'm pretty sure that as a T2 diabetic my current problem is insulin resistance, not production. What I need is a drink that reduces insulin resistance, or speeds up glucose transport into cells. Any suggestions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-40099604757533583312007-12-04T14:26:00.000+11:002007-12-04T14:26:00.000+11:00Soluble fibre slows down transit time.Soluble fibre slows down transit time.GI Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07609354784645028388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-80221870336066267892007-12-04T12:48:00.000+11:002007-12-04T12:48:00.000+11:00>>>Cinnamon quills have many layters, cassia is mo...>>>Cinnamon quills have many layters, cassia is more solid.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for pointing this out. The picture now reflects the more thick-barked cassia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-30671676710322646352007-12-04T09:44:00.000+11:002007-12-04T09:44:00.000+11:00Re: soluble fiber slowing down the time for food t...Re: soluble fiber slowing down the time for food to pass through the stomach/small intestine... I am confused about the semantics of this sentence. Does soluble fiber accelerate or impede transit time?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-10562475196925512822007-12-03T17:34:00.000+11:002007-12-03T17:34:00.000+11:00Cassia and cinnamon are actually quite different s...Cassia and cinnamon are actually quite different spices, and as I recall, the study was actually done on cassia, not true cinnamon.<BR/><BR/>The American spice commonly called cinnamon is usually actually cassia. This is also known as "Bakers cinnamon". However, the picture shown here at GI news is of "true" cinnamon quills, not cassia at all. That is NOT the relevant spice. <BR/><BR/>So beware! If you have whole spices, you can look at the pictures on wikipedia to see the difference. Cinnamon quills have many layters, cassia is more solid. Also, cassia has more of a "hot" flavour to it.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16065911959630020376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-91114096641807293992007-12-03T13:37:00.000+11:002007-12-03T13:37:00.000+11:00I take 1000 mg twice a day in capsule form. I fin...I take 1000 mg twice a day in capsule form. I find that while it wasn't a drastic reduction it did reduce my glucose level. I don't particulary watch the carbs I ingest and while my glucose runs between 150 and 210 after fasting overnight my A1C is always within the acceptable range. I also take glipizide twice a day and Metformin once daily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13473599.post-75340158370803828552007-12-03T06:17:00.000+11:002007-12-03T06:17:00.000+11:00Regarding the use of cinnamon to reduce glucose le...Regarding the use of cinnamon to reduce glucose levels, I use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon when I have eaten an "illegal" food, i.e., cookies, cake, pie, white bread, fries, etc. I know I should not eat those foods, but sometimes I do. A 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon works wonders in reducing blood glucose levels almost immediately.<BR/>If I take my medication, Metformin, and then test 1 or 2 hours later and the glucose is still high I take 1/4 tsp. The glucose is reduced. So far, I have not gotten into the trouble of my glucose going too low.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com