Cinnamon and Insulin Sensitivity: Exploring the Connection

Introduction

Cinnamon is one of the oldest species identified, with a rich history as a spice and a medicine. Cinnamon has been used for almost 4,000 years. It was used traditionally for a wide range of health purposes in many cultures. These benefits include assisting with digestion, managing rheumatism, reducing specific menstrual conditions, and enhancing memory and cognitive function.In 1990, researchers revealed that chemicals contained in cinnamon have insulin-potentiating effects and may be associated with the reduction of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders associated with insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. The importance of cinnamon in reducing insulin resistance and diabetes is covered in detail in this article.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It makes blood glucose easier to enter and use as an energy source in the cells of the muscles, fat, and liver. The source of glucose is food. The liver also manufactures glucose when needed, such as during a fast. Following a meal, the blood's glucose levels rise, prompting the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin then lowers blood glucose to keep it within the normal range.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which fat cells, muscle, and liver cells are less sensitive to insulin and have trouble absorbing glucose from the blood. Thus, the pancreas produces more insulin to enable glucose to enter the cells. Blood glucose levels will remain within acceptable ranges as long as the pancreas can adequately compensate for the cells' inadequate response to insulin. Insulin resistance is more common in people with genetic or lifestyle risk factors. The risk factors include:

• Obese or overweight people.

• Family history of diabetes.

• Health issues like excessive blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

• Physical inactivity.

• History of heart disease or stroke.

• History of gestational diabetes.

• PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What Are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon?

• Cinnamon has plant-based chemicals with antioxidant properties.

• It contains anti-inflammatory properties.

• It helps prevent infections.

• Studies indicate that cinnamon may offer protection against the flu and colds.

• It might aid with blood sugar regulation.

• Cinnamon seems to have the potential to lower insulin resistance risk.

• Some compounds in cinnamon seem to slow down diseases like Alzheimer's.

• Regular cinnamon eating may lower blood pressure.

• It aids in lowering cholesterol.

• It might contribute to the restoration of the gut's bacterial equilibrium, which would promote digestive health.

• Cinnamon has long been used to encourage good oral hygiene.

• In people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cinnamon may increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin resistance.

Does Cinnamon Affect Insulin Sensitivity?

Cinnamon extract appears to enhance proteins that regulate insulin signaling, glucose transport, and anti-inflammatory responses. By imitating insulin's actions and facilitating the transfer of sugar from the bloodstream into cells, cinnamon may be able to lower blood sugar and fight diabetes. Furthermore, increasing insulin sensitivity, which raises the quantity of sugar that insulin can carry into cells, can aid in lowering blood sugar levels.

What Effect Does Cinnamon Have on Diabetes?

• According to findings from a clinical study conducted in 2003, cassia cinnamon, also known as cinnamon bark, helps type 2 diabetics with their blood sugar and cholesterol levels and may lower risk factors for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Another study published in July 2000 found that taking only one gram of cinnamon per day can raise insulin sensitivity and aid in managing or treating type 2 diabetes.

• Furthermore, a more recent study that was published in 2007 revealed that 6 grams of cinnamon, when consumed after meals, dramatically lowers postprandial blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and slows down stomach emptying without compromising fullness.

• In 60 middle-aged people with diabetes, a daily dose of 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon was shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and blood glucose after 40 days.

• Numerous medical professionals believe that cinnamon has advantages for treating type 2 diabetes and regulating blood sugar due to the existing scientific evidence.

• However, keep in mind that cinnamon has not yet received medical approval for the prevention or treatment of any disease, unlike many other natural substances.

What Is the Mechanism of Action of Cinnamon on Insulin Signaling Pathways?

• Cinnamon-extract polyphenols activate insulin receptors (IRs) by facilitating increased tyrosine phosphorylation activity and reduced phosphatase activity, a process responsible for receptor deactivation.

• Cinnamon polyphenols also increase the number of GLUT-4 proteins and insulin receptor-β, which promotes the synthesis and storage of glycogen.

• Furthermore, it increases the amounts of tristetraprolin protein and decreases the activity of glycogen synthase (GS) kinase-3 β (GSK3β).

• Cinnamon polyphenols may suppress GSK3β function, which would lessen the phosphorylation of the tristetraprolin protein and raise its activity.

• One of the main causes of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. The insulin receptor mediates the cellular insulin response. Two intracellular β-subunits with tyrosine kinase activity and two external α-subunits that bind insulin make up this protein.

• When insulin binds to the α-subunit, tyrosine kinase in the β-subunit is activated, which causes the tyrosine residues in the β-subunit to autophosphorylation. When autophosphorylation rises and dephosphorylation falls in the insulin receptor, insulin sensitivity is improved.

• Cinnamtannin B1, a proanthocyanidin isolated from the Ceylon cinnamon stem, activates β-subunit phosphorylation in insulin receptors and adipocytes. A study found that cinnamon extract (CE) increased insulin receptor (IR)-β and tyrosine phosphorylation concentrations in the skeletal muscles.

• These results imply that cinnamon extracts can partially prevent the development of insulin resistance by boosting insulin signaling and nitric oxide pathways in skeletal muscle. In another study, it was found that an aqueous cinnamon extract increased insulin sensitivity in human beings.

Conclusion

Cinnamon is used as a natural traditional medicine in various cultures across the world. Cinnamon exhibits great potential as a natural medication for controlling blood sugar levels. Research indicates that cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity, which could help in the treatment of conditions like diabetes. To fully understand the underlying mechanisms and determine the ideal amount and duration of cinnamon administration for maximal effect, more research is necessary. Always consult with a specialist doctor before incorporating cinnamon into the diet for the management of diabetes. More scientific evidence is needed to fully establish the role of cinnamon in managing diabetes and insulin sensitivity.