Q: How might cinnamon affect patients with type 2 diabetes?Ī: This is not yet known. It is not known whether these different preparations have different, if any, antidiabetic effects.

Different preparations of cinnamon are available commercially, including water-soluble extract of cinnamon rather than the whole spice. 4 Although there are many species of Cinnamomum, the most commonly used species in studies has been Cinnamomum cassia. Q: What types of cinnamon supplements are available?Ī: Cinnamon is produced by drying of the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees. When the results of several studies are combined, there has been some suggestion that chromium may lower fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A 1c levels however, larger, better-quality studies are needed. Some studies show promise but have been small and poor in quality. 1,2 Studies of chromium supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes have been performed for the past 40 years, and the results remain conflicting. Trials conducted in patients with prediabetes have not shown any benefit. Deficiency is rare, and the question is whether giving additional chromium to patients with sufficient chromium levels results in any improvement in insulin resistance and control of diabetes. Q: Does chromium supplementation make a difference?Ī: Chromium likely is needed to maintain normal carbohydrate metabolism. 1 It is proposed that chromium decreases insulin resistance, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. Q: How does chromium affect patients with type 2 diabetes?Ī: The relationship between chromium and diabetes was first noted in the 1950s when diabetes developed in chromium-deficient rats as a result of insulin resistance, which was reversed by chromium supplementation. Chromium picolinate is designed to be better absorbed than the others. 2 There are different forms available, including chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, and chromium picolinate. 1 Severe chromium deficiency is rare, 1 but chromium has become a commonly sold supplement accounting for $85 million in sales in 2002.

Q: What types of chromium supplements are available?Ī: Chromium is an essential trace element that is found in foods such as whole grain, broccoli, nuts, green beans, wine, and beer.

Chromium good for diabetes