Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International, and are manufactured in facilities that adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs), a set of standards issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You should also look for products that have undergone third-party testing, are certified by organizations such as U.S. Chromium supplements are available in several forms:Īlthough some older studies suggest that your body may absorb chromium picolinate best, there’s concern that this form may also cause oxidative damage to your cells ( 4).Ĭertain supplements may also contain additional ingredients to enhance their potential health benefits, such as cinnamon or other medicinal herbs ( 5). You’ll also want to pay attention to the form. Look for products without artificial ingredients, additives, or fillers. Ingredientsįirst, be sure to check the ingredient list. When selecting a chromium supplement, it’s important to consider several factors. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. You can learn more about type 2 diabetes and how to treat it with drugs and non-drug approaches in our Guide to Managing Diabetes. If natural products together with exercise and a low-carb diet don’t work, you might need medication. Your doctor will want to keep track of your progress, so a daily diary with glucose levels will enable her to make sure you are within normal limits. It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels very carefully. You can learn much more about these spices and their beneficial effects from our 200-page book “Spice Up Your Health.” It is available at. They include caraway, cumin, ginger, fenugreek and turmeric. There are a number of other spices that can be helpful. Look for it as a supplement, or make your own by steeping cinnamon sticks in hot water. That’s why you can use a water-based extract without fear. The reason is coumarin.īoth cassia cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon contain coumarin, a natural compound that can harm the liver when taken in large amounts. If you take either of them, though, we suggest a water extract rather than the powdered spice. tested cinnamon products and found that a water-based extract, Swanson Cinnulin PF, met its standards for low coumarin and high pro-anthocyanidins.Īlthough Ceylon cinnamon can lower blood sugar, cassia or Saigon cinnamon can, too. Excess quantities can damage the liver, which is why we encourage an approach like yours. This technology leaves the coumarin behind.Ĭoumarin is a compound that is naturally found in cassia cinnamon bark. You are using the safest approach to medicinal use of this spice: You have chosen Ceylon cinnamon, which is naturally low in coumarin, and you are using a water extract. Low amounts of vitamin B12 can affect the nerves and contribute to symptoms of neuropathy.Ĭinnamon can help lower blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes (Clinical Nutrition, April 2019). Ask him or her to check your vitamin B12 level, as metformin can reduce absorption of this crucial nutrient. Be sure to inform your doctor about your approach. My last test result showed my HbA1c is 5.6 and my blood glucose is typically around 110. ![]() Since I’ve made this change, I’ve not had any problem with neuropathy. I had stinging pain in my legs and numbness in my feet and ankles.Īfter some online research, I decided to stop taking metformin and began taking Ceylon cinnamon instead. My doctor put me on metformin, but I found that it gave me terrible neuropathy. Here is another related question about cinnamon. Saigon cinnamon is closely related to cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is the kind usually found on grocery store shelves. Most studies of cinnamon to lower blood sugar have used ordinary cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) rather than the more expensive Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylonicum). Polyphenols, compounds found in cinnamon as well as tea, coffee, grapes, wine, cocoa and berries, slow the absorption of glucose (sugar) from the digestive tract and stimulate insulin secretion (Nutrients, Jan. One placebo-controlled trial found that a supplement containing cassia cinnamon, chromium and carnosine successfully lowered fasting blood sugar in people with pre-diabetes (PLOS One, Sep. ![]() ![]() Cinnamon and other spices and herbs rich in plant polyphenols can help control blood sugar and insulin spikes after meals (Diabetologia, July 2015). Would Saigon cinnamon work, as well? Are there other natural herbs or spices I should consider taking?Ī. Would this help me with my pre-diabetes? Ceylon cinnamon is difficult to find. ![]() I have read your columns about the advantages of Ceylon cinnamon for people with diabetes.
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