Impact of Short-Term Intake of Cinnamon on Serum Glucose and Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background/Objectives: Several studies indicate that cinnamon can enhance insulin resistance and diminish blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus. Concerns about the increasing rate of diabetes incidence worldwide are developing and using whether alternative treatment or supplementation such as botanical supplements would be beneficial. Furthermore, the existing studies in this regard are controversial. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cinnamon supplementation on fasting blood glucose and lipid profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Subjects/Methods: In this randomized double blind intervention study 50 individuals with type 2 diabetes (25 subjects as intervention group and 25 subjects as control group) were recruited from diabetes clinic of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Individuals in the intervention group received 3 g/d cinnamon supplement as capsulated powder (500 mg) for 60 days and individuals in the control group consumed 3 g/d wheat flour as placebo for 60 days. Blood samples were collected pre and post intervention. Fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and VLDL were measured. Results: In the intervention group HDL-c was increased and the levels of other indices were significantly decreased post intervention, but it was not significant for LDL-c. In the control group total cholesterol and LDLc levels were decreased, but not significantly and TG and VLDL levels were significantly increased. The levels of indices except for HDL-c were not significantly different between intervention and control group in women. Conclusion: Cinnamon intake with efficient dosage may improve blood glucose and lipid profile in patients with diabetes and therefore may be a suggested approach to control this disease and its complications.