Hi Everyone,
I've been reading up a bit on the (alleged) ability of cinnamon to lower your blood glucose levels. A bit of background on me, I was diagnosed with Diabetes in Nov/07. I was 284lbs (I'm 261 now) and 5'7". I'm quite young for type 2, 23 years old, however I have a few other ailments effecting my health as well (hypothyroid - and the treatment isn't working, PCOS).

I'm having trouble lowering my blood sugars. I've been monitoring my carb intake, and I test them all the time. After meals it only spikes by 1 or 2 points (say it was 6.5 before lunch, it'll be 7.5 after), but my sitting levels are always high.

I'm wondering if anyone has integrated cinnamon into their T2 diets, and had any success with it? It's great to read the studies, but I'd like to hear of some real people! (I'll adore you forever if you have added cinnamon, and can give advise on how to do it?)

Hi SARAH . . .

Ahhhh, the ongoing cinnamon debate. For everything you read that says it helps, you can find something to read that says it doesn't. I happen to like cinnamon a lot and so incorporating it into my diet if pretty easy. Does it do anything? Not so I'd notice one way or the other, but it definitely doesn't hurt.

BTW . . . are you taking medications or just trying to lower the BGL with diet, exercise and weight loss?

IMHO, the very best thing you can do is to lose weight -- I've lost about 60 pounds in the past couple of years and although I've still got a long, long way to go, that loss has allowed me to stop shooting insulin and to lower my oral meds (glyburide, metformin, actos) by 1/3 to 1/2.

Increased exercise is great for controlling your glucose levels, too -- but that is one of my downfalls, unfortunately.

I'm on meds, 1500mg of metformin a day. I'm trying to avoid insulin, but it's looking like I might not have a choice. I exercise regularly, but weight loss is a real trial for me. An uncontrolled hypothyroid since I was 10, and PCOS are just making it really hard. I'm watching my carb intake and caloric intake, I track everything I eat.

What frustrates me is that after 3 months of tracking BG and food, there seems to be no trend in what glucose levels I have with what foods I eat.

I was looking into buying a cinammon supplement, but I think I might just trying adding it to my foods. I also drink a lot of tea, so I'll add it that way and see. I don't think it can hurt.

It's so frustrating to be working so hard at it and not be able to balance my sugar levels.

Don't fight the insulin. It is a nuisance and it does make weight loss even more difficult. BUT . . . sometimes just a few months on insulin can pave the way for much better results in the long term, even after you stop using it again. Discuss it with your doctor and your dietician and diabetes educator.
Unfortunately, the hypothyroid situation does not make things any easier for you. No really great news, Chickie -- but juggling meds and carbs does get a little easier with time. Remember, we are here for you.

On a completely different note -- from looking at your avatar, I'd say we definitely share a knitting and crocheting passion????? Keeping the hands busy, helps to keep the mouth less busy, you know.