Cinnamon and Bitter Melon for reducing fasting levels

[xyzzy]

Forgive me if this has already been posted earlier in the thread.

Thought I'd share my own experiments with the bitter stuff:


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16167&p=154820&hilit=pickledpepper#p154820

Great stuff pickledpepper. It was coming across your original thread a while back that inspired me to try it out so thanks. Even though I can't stand the taste and take it in cap form it really works well at stopping spikes imo.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-...&t=16167&p=154820&hilit=pickledpepper#p154820

 

[Defren]

My Gymnema has still not arrived. I ordered it weeks ago, checked the delivery details and it is not scheduled to arrive until 1st of MAY!! Why so long? Anyway, I have found no benefit from BM at all. Infact my BG's are higher than ever, but I am going through a lot of problems with my eating, so continue to take as it may not be the BM's fault. If I can get my eating sorted out, I may be able to judge better, but so far, it's done nothing for me.

 

[Patch]

Found teh info I was after:

HbA1c:
15 November 2011 = 8.9

07 March 2012 = 6.6 (fasting BG = 5.4)

No changes in diet, just take one spoon cinnamon powder + one tablespoon honey stirred into a paste + 2x500mg Metformin.

Just doesn't mention the size of teh spoon for the cinnamon! Help me out, Sip!

 

[))Denise((]

I bought the McCormicks cinnamon when I was on holiday in the US from Walmart. I wasn't sure that I would be allowed to bring my cinnamon in from the UK. I'm glad I didn't take my own as I would never had found that there was difference. When this ran out, I went back to the Sainsburys cinnamon and noticed my levels were rising. Decided to get some McCormicks from ebay, bought two 8oz jars to save on postage.

 

[Patch]

More interesting info on Manuka Honey:

From http://www.manukahoneyheals.com/p/information.html

The Hydrogen Peroxide Producing Capacity of Honey

Hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria on contact and has been widely used for that purpose. However, straight hydrogen peroxide is unstable and rapidly loses its effectiveness when exposed to air or light. Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations can also damaged skin tissue.

NOt the first time Hydrogen Peroxide has been mentioned in relation to diabetes...

 

[Defren]

My Gymnema finally arrived today. Taken my first dose so looking forward to seeing the results in the next few days. As it took so long to arrive, I am SO relieved I had the foresight to order two bottles :lol:

 

[xyzzy]

This from troika1 on a different thread. Anyone taking Cinnamon should read imo.

Hi Denise,

I was wondering why you would prefer an American cinnamon over a uk one so I thought I would do some investigating. All the sites I visited stated that Cassia (sold as cinnamon) contains a large amount of courmin which is toxic to the liver and could potentially cause rashes and irritation of the stomach. They suggest that Ceylon cinnamon is used as it contains less courmin and is finer although it is harder to come by.

Hi troika1

That's a bit worrying. Just worked out on my weight of 88kg that if the Cassia Cinnamon I have has the maximum courmin content research suggests I could be taking up to 60% of the tolerated safe daily dose by taking my normal 1.5 grams / day. On the minimum courmin content research suggests that would fall to around 30% of the safe tolerated dose.

So at my weight I am well under the recommended limit but not worth the risk imo so will be stopping with immediate effect and try looking for Ceylon based cinnamon instead.

Whether or not Ceylon Cinnamon works is of course a big question as the reason for choosing Cassia was it was thought to be the variety that did have blood glucose reducing properties whereas that wasn't clear for other types.

 

[paul_melb]

There is some research data about the sri lankan cinnamon and it is available online, although I've not purchased or used it. Try ceylon hyphen cinnamon com to see the links to US studies
cheers

 

[Defren]

Gymnema works! Not for fasting with me but, today for lunch I had an Atkins shake before the shake I took the Gymnema, and two hours later BG was 5.7. I tested before dinner, still 5.7 I was 6.3 before the shake - Brilliant, thrilled to bits. I took another before dinner, will post my 2 hour reading in a wee while.

Edit to add +2 hours after dinner 6.0 yeah!!

 

[tealeaves]

Hi, haven't posted on these boards for a while but trying to get back into it! Been off the wagon a bit, had a good Hb reading last time but not expecting one next time :| been a lot to take in the past 6 months...

Anyway, really interested in trying supplements out and came across this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swanson-Cinna ... 5d32e12cbf

And if that link doesn't work it's Swanson Cinnamon, Gymnema and Mulberry Complex on eBay. Apparently provides 500mg a day of each. I wondered if that might be a good place to start, or would the doses not be high enough? Also never heard of mulberry extract being useful.

I really want to take cinnamon, and gymnema as I've heard it helps with cravings (I'm hoping it will help with binge eating too) but can't work out which brands to buy, you all seem to be buying different ones... I don't want to risk messing my liver up too!

Any advice? Thanks

 

[))Denise((]

I'm not worried about using the American cinnamon. For me it works. I have a sensitive stomach but I don't have any problems with eating cinnamon. 1 gram a day is what I put on my breakfast (I know this because I weigh my breakfast to stop me having too much and keep the bowl on the scales whilst I add the cinnamon).

As diabetics, we get our liver and kidney function tested once a year anyway, so hopefully any damage would be picked up. How would I know that the Ceylon cinnamon had the same BS lowering properties as it is a different plant? I've already had Sainburys cinnamon be ineffective, so I'm sticking with the McCormicks.

 

[))Denise((]

Found this report on cinnamon http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/18856/Medicin ... nnamon.pdf

 

[SweetHeart]

Has anyone else experienced a light headed feeling about 20 to 30 minutes after taking the Gymnema? It lasts a few minutes, not long at all, but it happens every time I take a capsule. I'm not really worried about it, but wondered if it happened to anyone else.

I take three capsules a day between meals to curve cravings. I don't take them on an empty stomach, but I do usually take them with fresh filter coffee so the caffeine might affect them.

Julia

 

[Patch]

Gymnema sounds like something I'd try. Is everyone taking the 400mg tabs 3 times a day?

 

[SweetHeart]

My Gymnema are Swanson 400mg. I take them for carb cravings as I'm not diabetic, and they do work if you time them right. I know I crave carbs for elevenses and between 3 and 4pm and again at bedtime (times when I'm sitting doing nothing with my hands) so I take them half an hour or so before I sit down.

Julia

 

[tealeaves]

I have heard that Swanson make good supplements, does anyone think the link I posted at the bottom of the previous page will be of any use or are the quantities too small? Thanks.

 

[Defren]

Mine are Puritan's pride Gymnema Sylvestre 400mg. I take 2 a day, early afternoon, just before lunch and another just before dinner. I have had celeriac chips today for the very first time, (absolutely delicious) so these results will be interesting.

 

[Defren]

I am thrilled to bits. I had as I said in the post above, celeriac chips with dinner tonight. Pre meal BG 6.4 two hours later 6.6. Another food to add to the diabetic diet for me.

 

[catza]

My Gymnema Sylvestre arrived today so I shall be seeing what effect it has. I intend to take a capsule before lunch and again before my dinner. I am hoping for a double effect on both my readings and my longing for a slice of something that must not be mentioned but it is full of sugar and carbs.
........

Dang it I knew there was something else I meant to Buy. Celeriac !!!!!!!!!! Boy is my memory bad, can I blame it on the diabetes rather than my age do you think?

 

[xyzzy]

Ok so I've stopped the Gymnema temporarily today to see if that is what's causing the cramp. It's the other new thing in the mix. Off to see the gp as well though.

Trying out Celeriac chips tonight!