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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology And Biochemistry"; Verification of the Antidiabetic Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) Using Insulin Uncontrolled Type I Diabetic Rats and Cultured Adipocytes. Shen Y, et al.; 2010
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology And Biochemistry"; Verification of the Antidiabetic Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) Using Insulin Uncontrolled Type I Diabetic Rats and Cultured Adipocytes. Shen Y, et al.; 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypoglycemic Activities of A- and B- Type Procyanidin Oligomer Rich Extracts from Different Cinnamon Barks. Lu Z, et al.; February 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypoglycemic Activities of A- and B- Type Procyanidin Oligomer Rich Extracts from Different Cinnamon Barks. Lu Z, et al.; February 2010
- "Infectious Disorders Drug Targets"; Chromium-Picolinate Therapy in Diabetes Care: Molecular and Subcellular Profiling Revealed a Necessity for Individual Outcome Prediction, Personalised Treatment Algorithms and New Guidelines. Yeghiazaryan K, et al.; March 2011
- "Infectious Disorders Drug Targets"; Chromium-Picolinate Therapy in Diabetes Care: Molecular and Subcellular Profiling Revealed a Necessity for Individual Outcome Prediction, Personalised Treatment Algorithms and New Guidelines. Yeghiazaryan K, et al.; March 2011
- "Biological Trace Element Research"; Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Chromium(III) Malate Complex in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. Wu XY; et al.; December 2010
- "Biological Trace Element Research"; Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Chromium(III) Malate Complex in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. Wu XY; et al.; December 2010
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Cinnamon & Chromium for Diabetes
Cinnamon, a spice derived from the bark of several trees of the genus Cinnamomum, has garnered attention for its purported ability to lower blood sugar. Chromium, a mineral used by the body in minute quantities known as micrograms, is also widely used as a natural method to regulate blood sugar levels and to help with diabetes management. Consult your doctor before using cinnamon or chromium to treat diabetes.
Non-insulin Mechanism
Cinnamon lowers blood sugar in ways that are unrelated to insulin, according to a study published in the 2010 issue of the journal "Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry." In this study on laboratory animals with Type 1 diabetes, 30 mg per kg body weight of cinnamon per day for 22 days reduced blood sugar levels and kidney stress 1. The researchers observed that cinnamon worked by increasing glucose transporter molecules on muscle and fat cells and by increasing energy expenditure in cells. The results of this preliminary animal study may be prove helpful, along with further research to confirm the results on humans, in distinguishing how cinnamon can best be used in the treatment of diabetes in humans.
- Cinnamon lowers blood sugar in ways that are unrelated to insulin, according to a study published in the 2010 issue of the journal "Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry."
- The researchers observed that cinnamon worked by increasing glucose transporter molecules on muscle and fat cells and by increasing energy expenditure in cells.
Antioxidant Effects
Supplements to Lower Blood Sugar
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Antioxidant compounds known as procyanidin oligomers are responsible for the blood sugar-regulating effects of cinnamon, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine." In the study on laboratory animals, doses of 200 mg and 300 mg of cinnamon per kg body weight significantly improved the ability of insulin-resistant liver cells to absorb and utilize glucose. The researchers concluded that the results of their preliminary animal study indicate that cinnamon may be able to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels in humans with Type 2 diabetes. Further research on the blood sugar-regulating effects of cinnamon in humans is warranted.
- Antioxidant compounds known as procyanidin oligomers are responsible for the blood sugar-regulating effects of cinnamon, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine."
- The researchers concluded that the results of their preliminary animal study indicate that cinnamon may be able to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels in humans with Type 2 diabetes.
Combination Therapy
The journal "Diabetes Care" published a study in its August 2006 issue that reported beneficial effects of chromium picolinate on the management of Type 2 diabetes. In this study, participants with Type 2 diabetes took a diabetes medication along with 1,000 micrograms of chromium picolinate for six months. The combination therapy showed less weight gain, significantly better insulin sensitivity and improved lipid levels compared to a group that took only the diabetes drug. The researchers concluded that chromium picolinate supplementation is an effective means of managing diabetes, along with drug therapy, for some Type 2 diabetics.
- The journal "Diabetes Care" published a study in its August 2006 issue that reported beneficial effects of chromium picolinate on the management of Type 2 diabetes.
- The researchers concluded that chromium picolinate supplementation is an effective means of managing diabetes, along with drug therapy, for some Type 2 diabetics.
Chromium Malate
Herbal Teas That Stabilize Blood Sugar
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A form of chromium known as chromium malate improved blood glucose control in a study on laboratory animals published in the December 2010 issue of the journal "Biological Trace Elements Research." In this study, doses of chromium malate from 2.85 mg to 17 mg per kg body weight for two weeks showed better absorption and utilization than chromium chloride -- another form of chromium -- in glucose-stabilize ability and ability to lower lipid levels and liver glycogen levels. Additionally, the researchers found chromium malate to exhibit no toxicity in this preliminary animal study and concluded that chromium malate may, with further research, prove beneficial in the management of diabetes in humans.
Related Articles
References
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology And Biochemistry"; Verification of the Antidiabetic Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) Using Insulin Uncontrolled Type I Diabetic Rats and Cultured Adipocytes. Shen Y, et al.; 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypoglycemic Activities of A- and B- Type Procyanidin Oligomer Rich Extracts from Different Cinnamon Barks. Lu Z, et al.; February 2010
- "Infectious Disorders Drug Targets"; Chromium-Picolinate Therapy in Diabetes Care: Molecular and Subcellular Profiling Revealed a Necessity for Individual Outcome Prediction, Personalised Treatment Algorithms and New Guidelines. Yeghiazaryan K, et al.; March 2011
- "Biological Trace Element Research"; Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Chromium(III) Malate Complex in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. Wu XY; et al.; December 2010
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Chromium dietary supplement fact sheet. Updated July 9, 2019.
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Chromium. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001:197-223.
- Mount Sinai. Chromium.
- Komorowski JR, Tuzcu M, Sahin N, et al. Chromium picolinate modulates serotonergic properties and carbohydrate metabolism in a rat model of diabetes. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012;149(1):50-6. doi:10.1007/s12011-012-9393-x
- Chromium. Professional Monograph. Natural Medicines. 1/3/2019.
- Bailey MM, Boohaker JG, Sawyer RD, Behling JE, Rasco JF, Jernigan JJ, Hood RD, Vincent JB. "Exposure of pregnant mice to chromium picolinate results in skeletal defects in their offspring." Birth Defects Research, Part B, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology. 77.3 (2006):244-249.
- Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Gauthier I, Malone M, McGoldrick MD. "Chromium picolinate toxicity." The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 32.4 (1998): 428-431.
- Coryell VH, Stearns DM. "Molecular analysis of hprt mutations induced by chromium picolinate in CHO AA8 cells." Mutation Research. 610.1-2 (2006): 114-123.
- Vincent JB. The potential value and toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight loss agent, and muscle development agent. Sports Medicine. 33.3 (2003): 213-230.
- Wani S, Weskamp C, Marple J, Spry L. "Acute tubular necrosis associated with chromium picolinate-containing dietary supplement." The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 40.3 (2006): 563-566.
- Young PC, Turiansky GW, Bonner MW, Benson PM. "Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis induced by chromium picolinate." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 41.5 (1999): 820-823.
Writer Bio
Tracey Roizman, DC is a writer and speaker on natural and preventive health care and a practicing chiropractor. She also holds a B.S. in nutritional biochemistry.