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Cinnamon Study on Type 2 DiabetesABSTRACTObjective — The objective of this study was to determine whether cinnamon improves blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Research Design & Methods — A total of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 30 men and 30 women aged 52.2 ± 6.32 years, were divided randomly into six groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily, respectively, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were given placebo capsules corresponding to the number of capsules consumed for the three levels of cinnamon. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days followed by a 20-day washout period. Results — After 40 days, all three levels of cinnamon reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18-29%), triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol (7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%) levels; no significant changes were noted in the placebo groups. Changes in HDL cholesterol were not significant. Conclusions — The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. INTRODUCTIONThe incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increased two- to fourfold in people with type 2 diabetes (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R1#R1 1). Although the causes of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are multifactorial, diet definitely plays a role in the incidence and severity of these diseases. The dietary components beneficial in the prevention and treatment of these diseases have not been clearly defined, but it is postulated that spices may play a role. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and turmeric display insulin-enhancing activity in vitro (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R2#R2 2, http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R3#R3 3). Botanical products can improve glucose metabolism and the overall condition of individuals with diabetes not only by hypoglycemic effects but also by improving lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, and capillary function (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R4#R4 4). A number of medicinal/culinary herbs have been reported to yield hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes. Examples of these include bitter melon, Gymnema, Korean ginseng, onions, garlic, flaxseed meal, and specific nutrients including -lipoic acid, biotin, carnitine, vanadium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B3, E, and K (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R5#R5 5). Rashwan (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R6#R6 6) reported that supplementation of the diet of rabbits with fenugreek decreased total serum lipid level. In rats, curry leaf and mustard seeds decreased total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R7#R7 7) and reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids in aorta, liver, and heart (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R8#R8 8). The LDL and VLDL fractions were also decreased and the HDL fraction was increased. Coriander seeds fed to rats consuming a high-fat diet led to decreased LDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R9#R9 9). Zhang et al. (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R10#R10 10) reported that turmeric may also have a role in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Aqueous extracts from cinnamon have been shown to increase in vitro glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis and to increase phosphorylation of the insulin receptor; in addition, these cinnamon extracts are likely to aid in triggering the insulin cascade system (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R11#R11 11, http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R12#R12 12). Because insulin also plays a key role in lipid metabolism, we postulated that consumption of cinnamon would lead to improved glucose and blood lipids in vivo. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether there is a dose response of cinnamon on clinical variables associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis study was conducted in the Department of Human Nutrition, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan and was approved by the Ethics Committee and Human Studies Review Board of the University of Peshawar. Selection criteria for the study included the following for people with type 2 diabetes: age >40 years, not on insulin therapy, not taking medicine for other health conditions, and fasting blood glucose levels between 7.8 and 22.2 mmol/l (140—400 mg/dl). A total of 60 individuals with type 2 diabetes, 30 men and 30 women, were selected for the study. The mean age of the subjects was 52.0 ± 6.87 years in the placebo groups and 52.0 ± 5.85 years in the groups consuming cinnamon. The duration of diabetes was also similar: 6.73 ± 2.32 years for the placebo group and 7.10 ± 3.29 years for the cinnamon groups. There was also an equal number of men and women in the placebo and cinnamon groups. All subjects were taking sulfonylurea drugs, i.e., glibenclamide; medications did not change during the study. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) certified by the Office of the Director, Research and Development/Non-Timber Forest Products, NWFP Forest Department, Peshawar, Pakistan, was used in this study. Cinnamon and wheat flour were ground finely and put into capsules (Mehran Traders Pharmaceutical Suppliers, Peshawar, Pakistan). Each capsule contained either 500 mg of cinnamon or wheat flour. Both the cinnamon and placebo capsules were packaged in plastic bags containing 40 capsules (1 g or two capsules per day for 20 days), 120 capsules (3 g or six capsules per day for 20 days), or 240 capsules (6 g or 12 capsules per day for 20 days) and prepared for distribution to the subjects. When subjects finished testing after the first 20 days, they were given the second package of capsules. Compliance was monitored by capsule count and contact with the subjects. Compliance was considered excellent and all capsules were consumed. The study was conducted for 60 days with 60 individuals with type 2 diabetes divided randomly into six equal groups. Group 1 consumed two 500-mg capsules of cinnamon per day, group 2 consumed six capsules of cinnamon per day, and group 3 consumed 12 capsules of cinnamon per day. Groups 4, 5, and 6 were assigned to respective placebo groups, which consumed a corresponding number of capsules containing wheat flour. Subjects consumed their normal diets and continued their medications throughout the study. From days 41 to 60, no cinnamon or placebo was given. The 1-g dose of cinnamon and placebo was spread over the day as 0.5 g (one capsule) after lunch and 0.5 g after dinner. The 3-g and 6-g doses of cinnamon and placebo were spread over the day as 1 g (two capsules) and 2 g (four capsules) after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. The subjects were instructed to take the capsules immediately after meals. On days 0, 20, 40, and 60, 5 ml of fasting blood was collected from each subject. Blood samples were transferred to sterilized centrifuge tubes and allowed to clot at room temperature. The blood samples were centrifuged for 10 min in a tabletop clinical centrifuge at 4,000 rpm for serum separation. Serum samples were stored in a freezer at 0°C for later analyses. Glucose level was determined using an autoanalyzer (Express Plus; Ciba Corning Diagnostics, Palo Alto, CA). Triglyceride levels were determined by the enzymatic colorimetric method of Werner et al. (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R13#R13 13) using an autoanalyzer (Express Plus; Ciba Corning) and an Elitech kit (Meditek Instrument, Peshawar, Pakistan). Cholesterol levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method of Allain et al (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R14#R14 14) using the same autoanalyzer. Chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL were precipitated by adding phosphotungstic acid and magnesium ions to the sample. Centrifugation left only the HDL in the supernatant (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R15#R15 15). LDL cholesterol was calculated by dividing the triglycerides by 5 and subtracting the HDL cholesterol (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R16#R16 16). Two-way ANOVA and randomized complete block design were used for statistical analysis (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#R17#R17 17). Values are means ± SD. RESULTSThe addition of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon to the diet led to significant decreases in serum glucose levels after 40 days. Values after 20 days were significantly lower only in the group receiving 6 g of cinnamon (http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/12/3215#T1#T1 Table 1). At the levels tested, there was no evidence of a dose response because the response to all three levels of cinnamon was similar. Decreases ranged from 18 to 29%. After the subjects no longer consumed the cinnamon for 20 days, glucose levels were significantly lower only in the group consuming the lowest level of cinnamon. Glucose values in the three placebo groups were not significantly different at any of the time points. Alam Khan, MS, PHD1,2,3, Mahpara Safdar, MS1,2, Mohammad Muzaffar Ali Khan, MS, PHD1,2, Khan Nawaz Khattak, MS1,2 and Richard A. Anderson, PHD3
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