According to my experience as a natural medicine professional with additional training in Chinese medicine I have found that cinnamon is highly beneficial in diabetics who are diagnosed with hyperinsulinism. Reason being that cinnamon does tend to lower insulin levels. On the other hand, for hypoinsulinism cinnamon potentially makes things worse and can induce dangerous hypoglycemic episodes. Therefore, cinnamon should be used carefully and in the right context only.

While I have a great deal of respect for the *Scientific Method* that is used in Investigational Research Methodology, I am also familiar with the area of Neutraceuticals and a more *Natural* approach in the healing of Illness.
I do not think that any one approach in the treatment of Disease is the "Be-All/End All" way to go.
Each method has its advantage and shortcomings, that is why in Western Medicine there exists a *Risk-Benefit ratio for all drugs. Unfortunately Western Medicine carries many side-effects along with the intended benefit of the drug in question. Sometimes these side effects cause or can cause greater harm or/and discomfort than the benefit derived from such use.
Along with this, comes the added problem and risk of possible contamination that exists from various manufacturers and suppliers in places such as China and India that has recently been in the news regarding Coumadin because of poor or non-existent Safety Regulations in these countries. This is not the first time contaminated products have been reported. Which is why, in my opinion, Generic Drugs are more risky for the consumer than Brand-Name Pharmaceuticals which have greater safety controls in place.
In treating a chronic Illness such as Diabetes, I would avail myself of all possible ways to alleviate the problems that this complex Disease carries along with it.
I use common sense, the ability to decide for myself and an "Open-Mind" to determine what may or may not be of benefit to me.
I do not need someone in a "White Lab Coat" to issue any pronouncements as to whether or not a compound is beneficial to use. If I would have waited for each pronouncement, then the Ravages of T1DM would have been more severe.

I tried cinnamon tablets for 6 months but have seen no change since discontinuing its use a month or two ago. I wouldn't recommend wasting your money for it.

Cinnamon as been a "god-send" for me helping me avoid the spiking after eating. I use the common grocery store cinnamon. After eating anything, (I have a very healthy diet;i.e. low carb and regular exercise) i have about a 1/2 to a whole tsp of cinnamon mixed with a small amount of soy milk and I don't ever notice the spiking feelings from before. I was diagonosed with pre diabetes a year and half ago with a A1C of 5.7. I've had 2 other A1C's since and they hve been 5.6 and 5.8 respectively. I walk an average of 40 minutes 5 times and week, do streching exercises in the morning and some situps and knee push ups 3 times a week. I'm male and 51 years old. Cinnamon has helped me to never experience the uncomfortable spiking feeling that used to be present before starting to change my eating habits. It just helps me feel normal.

First, much of the benefit from cinnamon comes from real cinnamon, not that which is purchased in the supermarket and labeled "cinnamon" (see section "cinnamon and cassia"). Secondly, what is sold in most supermarkets (cassia) has a compound in it (courmarin) that can inflame and damage kidneys. It is the aqueous extract of cinnamon that has been shown to be of benefit to diabetics. The particular extract is known as Cinnulin PF, a trademarked compound.

Cinnamon along with chrominium picolate has had a significant impact in lowering my blood sugar as a prediabetic. It has gone from 116 to 96 after using these remedies for 2 months.

Kathyw...Cinnamon helps those with Type 2 diabetes only. It lowers insulin resistance, it does not help with autoimmunity or beta cell regeneration. Therefore, it has proven to have no effect in Type 1 diabetes. Are you a Type 1?

I can see why a study may not be repeatable. what were the criteria used in all the studies? not likely they were the same. Maybe it works only on type 2. maybe you need to exercise. maybe no oral meds. And what variety of cinnamon used as Scott asked?
I like cinnamon, I use a lot of it, it seems to help me. I do not use it as an excuse to indulge in something bad as a big cinnamon bun.

It sounds like the cinnamon compounds used in each of these dissimilar studies should be carefully analyzed and compared for differences... How many positive studies like Khan's have emerged in the past, only to have additional studies pop up immediately refuting the findings and confirming patients dependence on expensive commercial drugs? Is there a trend here?

I have type 2 diabetes I have been taking cinnamon caplets for three years I take 1000 mg before each meal my blood sugar stays around 112-160 I check my blood sugar often so I can keep a good watch I have had no known side effects I go to my doctor every three months for blood test. so for I am doing great.

I would like to try cinnamon. I take metformin and glyboride.
Since the studies sat that it takes
approximately 40 days to begin it's effects, do you continue with your normal dosage of medicine?
And, if the cinnnamon begins to work do you need to worry about sudden drops in your blood sugar because you are also taking medication during this period?

I use grocery store Cinnamon and add it to my morning coffee. It helps to regulate my blood sugar along with the Metformin 1000 mg. that I take 2 times daily. I am a Type 2 diabetic and have been for the past 6 years. Have been doing cinammon for almost a year and my A1C has been 6.3 since October of 2007.

Hi! I know people say Cinnamon isn't for Type 1's- but I'm a Type 1 and works for me. I take that and Chromium and Fenugreek and Gymme Sylvestre(?) along with my Novolog 70/30 Mix Insulin Pen. It dramtically reduced my insulin need- so don't ask me how or why it works. My BID dosing was always 16 or 17 but now it is 9 or 10. Somedays before dinner it is even 97. I wish I knew more about Type 1 Diabetes 'cause when I have a sugar of 97 before a meal I don't know if I should even give myself any insulin.

Hi John you write in web site that “The Chinese mentioned cinnamon in their written work more than 4,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in their embalming process, and the Roman writer/philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote in the first century AD that cinnamon was worth 15 times more than silver of the same weight “my question to you where did you get this info? In what language it was written and who was able to read? In India we have Ayurvedic books are written in Sanskrit and still being read not in India but in western word. Please stop spreading wrong information or provide authentic source.

I find the comments of HOFIII and the other actual diabetics interesting, including those who say don't waste your money. I believe in a holistic approach, and also am comfortable with the notion of using my body to experiment with ways and means to keep my type 2 in control. It always seems to me that the ancients knew a lot more than we have yet "discovered" about these types of cures, and the lack of consistency in our scientific approach is more to do with the actual specific extracts and species and such, as some posts have pointed out. There is a lot of very helpful information here that allows people to make a balanced judgment about their own choices about cinnamon. I'm certainly encouraged to see what might work for me. Our bodies all react differently, as we as diabetics know, and we prudently experiment and measure I think that we can find useful combinations. Walter Adamson

I recently lost my health insurance and
my doctor, and have lost access to free
samples of actos 45mg. The cinnamon I use
is the cheapest available, costing a
whopping 50cents each in the 2.37oz. size
of 5th season brand at Wal-Mart. I use a
lot of it, maybe as much as 2-3 teaspoons
of more a day. It helps a lot. I took one
half of my last remaining actos pill along
with about a third of a teaspoon of the
cinnamon. It dropped my glucose level from
222 to 109 in about an hour and a half,
far outperforming a whole actos pill. I
had cheated on my diet that particular day;
I usually never let it get above 160 or at
the very most 170 at any time. Generally
I try to keep it below 120 before I eat,
and never let it get above 155 or so.
The cinammon is definitely helping, but I
don't know if I can completely sustain
myself indefinitely.

ONE OBVIOUS OMISSION IN EVERYBODY'S
COMMENTS.
THE PAKISTANI STUDY USED 6 GRAMS
OF CINNAMON.

THE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE DOSE
IS ABOUT 6 HEAPING TEASPOONS A DAY.
TAKE A LITTLE
BEFORE

THE MEAL, AND A LOT MORE TOWARD THE
END, BUT
NOT BY ITSELF, ONLY WITH
FOOD.
IT TASTES GREAT WITH DIET MTN.
DEW!
Put it on salad, in coffee, with
chili, or with whatever you are consuming,
both beverages and solid food.

THIS DOESN'T WORK IN SMALL
AMOUNTS! THAT'S WHY THESE STUDIES
AREN'T GETTING RESULTS.

IF YOU TAKE A HALF A TEASPOON IN
LIQUIE 18 MINUTES BEFORE EATING, AND
ANOTHER TEASPOON WITH FOOD AT THE END OF
THE MEAL, YOU CAN SEE RESULTS


IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!

and don't eat ANY starch at all, only
skinned chicken, lamb, venison, fish, or
turkey, and not more than 6 ounces at a
time. Eat lean beef, but only 3 ounces,
every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the
early afternoons. DON'T EAT ANY BREAD,
POTATO CHIPS, FRENCH FRIES, JUNK FOOD OF
ANY KIND, AND ABSOLUTELY
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SWEETS OF ANY KIND
EVER.

NO STARCH OR SWEETS EVER, AT ANY TIME,
FOR ANY REASON EXCEPT ONE HALF OF A PIECE
OF BREAD EVERY OTHER DAY TO KEEP YOUR STOOL
SOLID. THAT'S IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do what I say, and you're really
type 2, you can keep your sugar levels
between 120 and 160.

Also walk at least 2 miles a
day, and don't eat anything within 3 hours
of bedtime.(Except no calorie foods, like
celery or lettuce totally plain.

EAT A LOT OF GREEN BELL PEPPERS
USE A LOT OF VIRGIN OLIVE OIL!

TRY TO KEEP YOUR CALORIES BETWEEN

1400 AND 1800 A DAY, ABOUT 1200 IF
YOU WEIGH 80-95 POUNDS. ADD ABOUT 20 CALORIES
TO THE FOURTEEN HUNDRED FOR EVERY INCH THAT
YOU ARE OVER FIVE FEET NINE INCHES. WOMEN
SHOULD BE ABOUT 150-250 CALORIES BELOW
MEN.
IF YOU'RE A MAN 6 FEET TALL,
YOU SHOULD EAT 1460 CALORIES A DAY. A MAN
FIVE FEET SIX SHOULD EAT 1340 CALORIES A
DAY. A WOMAN FIVE FEET SIX INCHES TALL
SHOULD ONLY EAT ABOUT 1200 CALORIES A
DAY.
IF EVERYBODY IN THE STUDY DID
THIS, THEY WOULD GET FANTASTIC RESULTS!

REMEMBER
OLIVE OIL, CINNAMON, GREEN PEPPERS!
LOW RED MEAT AND ALMOST NO STARCH!

- L.

I use cinnamon every night in addition to my insulin and it's stabilized my night time blood sugars considerably. Not a cure, but it's been a real help. Whenever I forget to take it, I inevitably have either a hypo or hyperglycemic episode.

Many Blessings,
Lilyth

If you're eating a healthy, balanced diet or exercising in addition to your cinnamon regimen, it may just be that you're eating right (not the cinnamon) that is helping to control your blood glucose levels.