Serum Glucose

What causes diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes , high blood sugar occur when glucose is excluded to a large extent, to enter the cells of the body, including liver, muscle and fat cells. This is caused by a "short circuit" in the insulin signaling pathway, a cascade of chemical reactions that allow highly specific insulin to fulfill its role as facilitator of glucose transport across cell walls. Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to high levels of glucose in the blood after it enters the bloodstream, it signals the body's cells to take up the excess glucose to normal levels are restored.

When insulin molecules bind to insulin receptors on the cell walls, tiny molecular "gates" open and allow glucose molecules to pass through. If this system is compromised, the doors do not respond adequately to insulin signaling, which prevents glucose from entering the cell. This condition, which is a common consequence of obesity, is called insulin resistance, and it is both a harbinger and a symptom of diabetes. With insulin resistance, glucose levels in the blood remains high, a condition very dangerous in the long term. The pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin, but this only works for so long. Eventually, the pancreas becomes overloaded and starts to make less insulin. It's when things go from bad to worse.

One of the most exciting discoveries of recent health of cinnamon and its effects on blood sugar (glucose). The positive effect of cinnamon on blood sugar were discovered by chance at the test center in Maryland, where scientists were testing the USDA effects of different foods on blood sugar (glucose). They were surprised at the good old apple pie actually helped lower blood sugar.

Although cinnamon bark and cinnamon flowers are used medicinally, Chinese cinnamon, or Cinnamomum aromaticum, is the form used for diabetes.

Specifically, Hydroxychalcone can work on insulin receptors to increase insulin sensitivity and help promote glucose uptake in cells and tissues and promote glycogen (the storage form of glucose) synthesis.

Several studies confirm the positive effects of cinnamon

In a study in December 2003 Diabetes Care, cinnamon has been found to improve glucose and lipids in people with diabetes. Sixty patients with type 2 who were taking a sulfonylurea (glyburide) received three doses of cinnamon (1, 3 or 6 grams per day) or placebo for 40 days.

Fasting blood glucose decreased by 18-29 percent after 40 days in the three groups treated with cinnamon. Specifically, 1 gram per day decreased glucose of 209-157 mg / dl, 3 grams per day decreased glucose of 205-169 mg / dl and 6 grams per day decreased glucose of 234-166 mg / dl .

Patients then went without any cinnamon for 20 additional days, but their fasting glucose was still lower than the reference groups previously treated with cinnamon, suggesting that cinnamon has a sustainable advantage. In addition, total cholesterol decreased by 12-26 percent, triglycerides decreased by 23-30 percent and LDL ("bad" cholesterol) also increased from 7-27 percent.

Another study was conducted by the University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany and published in a recent issue of European Journal of Clinical Investigation. It was the first study evaluating e.