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Question:
From Phoenix, Arizona, USA:
I am a consultant pharmacist. One of my patient's parents has stated she heard about a scientific study supporting the use of cinnamon ingested orally to reduce blood glucose levels. I have been unable to find any documentation to support this claim. Do your resources address this issue?
Answer:
Cinnamon appears to be remarkably allergenic, causing everything from
pulmonary toxicity to skin rashes and even oral ulceration when taken in
toothpaste and ointments. The only reference linking it with diabetes was
as follows:
Berrio LF, Polansky MM, Anderson RA.
Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Laboratory
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
US Department of Agriculture
ARS, MD 20705-2350
"Insulin activity: stimulatory effects of cinnamon and brewer's yeast as
influenced by albumin." Hormone Research. 37(6):225-9, 1992.
Abstract:
Cinnamon and Brewer's yeast extracts have been shown to potentiate the
action of insulin in isolated adipocytes. In this study, isolated rat
epididymal adipocytes were used to evaluate the influence of bovine serum
albumin on insulin activity as affected by cinnamon and Brewer's yeast
extracts. Albumin at 0.01-0.1% decreased the insulin stimulatory effects of
cinnamon from 11.8- to 5.3-fold and 2% albumin decreased this effect to near
control levels. Conversely, the insulin-enhancing properties of Brewer's
yeast remained low in the presence of less than 0.25% albumin but
subsequently increased 2.8-, 4.8- and 5.6-fold in the presence of 0.25, 0.50
and 1.0% albumin, respectively. In the absence of added insulin, increased
activity of the insulin-stimulated utilization of glucose by both extracts
was observed but only Brewer's yeast extract displayed additive effects when
tested at higher insulin levels. Due to the inhibitory and enhancing effects
of albumin on the insulin activity of cinnamon and Brewer's yeast,
respectively, it is suggested that the effects of albumin be assessed when
evaluating the insulin-enhancing effects of other substances using isolated
adipocytes.
KJR
Original posting 10 May 97
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