cinnamon and chromium for insulin resistance

Mechanism of action: Chromium’s main mechanism is directly tied to chromodulin. There is also a small amount of evidence suggests that chromium may also help lower blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes (22). In a review of 25 studies, chromium supplements reduced A1C by about 0.6% in people with type 2 diabetes, and the average decrease in fasting blood sugar was around 21 mg/dl, compared to a placebo (9). It's primarily used to reduce insulin resistance and improve biomarkers of type 2 diabetes such as fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin.īerberine can activate an enzyme called Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) while inhibiting Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), thus increasing insulin sensitivity.Ĭhromium deficiency reduces your body’s ability to use carbs - converted into sugar - for energy and raises your insulin needs Due to its impact on type 1 diabetes, it’s suspected that Gymnema sylvestre may somehow aid insulin-producing cells in your pancreas (9)īerberine is an alkaloid extracted from various plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Mechanism of action : Gymnema sylvestre may reduce sugar absorption in your gut and promote cells’ uptake of sugar from your blood. A1C decreased from 11.9% at the start of the study to 8.48% (17).įurther research suggests that this herb may help lower fasting blood sugar and A1C in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes and may reduce cravings for sweets by suppressing the sweet-taste sensation in your mouth (18). In one study, people with type 2 diabetes taking 400 mg of gymnema leaf extract daily for 18–20 months experienced a 29% decrease in fasting blood sugar. Mechanism of action: Cinnamon may aid your body’s cells better respond to insulin which allows sugar into your cells, lowering blood sugar.Īmerican Ginseng : American ginseng, an herbal root that grows primarily in North America, has been shown to decrease post-meal blood sugar by about 20% in healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes (6). All participants took the same diabetes drug during the study (5). In addition, their hemoglobin A1C (a 3-month average of blood sugar levels), decreased by 0.67% or 0.92%, respectively. In another three-month study, people with type 2 diabetes who took either 120 or 360 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast saw an 11% or 14% decrease in fasting blood sugar, respectively, compared to those on a placebo (5).

When people with prediabetes - meaning a fasting blood sugar of 100–125 mg/dl - took 250 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast and dinner for three months, they experienced an 8.4% decrease in fasting blood sugar compared to those on a placebo (4). Many studies suggest it helps lower blood sugar and improves diabetes control (3). Cinnamon supplements are either made from whole cinnamon powder or an extract. Not only does it help diabetics avoid blood sugar spikes, but it also improves glucose use in the cell itself. In basic terms, insulin resistance happens when cells cannot accept more glucose, therefore it is 'resisted' by the cell and forced back into the blood stream, where as a protective mechanism, your body stores it as fat. In fact, insulin resistance is a major risk factor for the development of Type 2 diabetes. Insulin sensitivity is good, but insulin resistance is not.

You are insulin sensitive if a small amount of insulin needs to be secreted to deposit a certain amount of glucose, and insulin resistant if a lot of insulin needs to be secreted to deposit the same amount of glucose.

Insulin sensitivity is the relationship between how much insulin needs to be produced in order to deposit a certain amount of glucose. Insulin is often referred to as the 'key' that 'unlocks' the cell so it can absorb glucose. So it’s crucial for those with this condition to be able to manage their blood glucose levels and start implementing ways to improve their insulin sensitivity.Įvery time you eat, your pancreas (an organ that regulates blood sugar) secretes insulin in response to high blood sugar, and cells (like muscle or fat cells) can absorb blood sugar when stimulated by insulin. elevated blood sugar) essentially your blood glucose levels are too high.Įlevated glucose levels are due to your body not producing enough insulin or not utilizing this hormone properly, and it can have a negative impact on your health as a whole, affecting everything from your vision to weight to heart health.

Cinnamon and chromium for insulin resistance