Efficacy of Cinnamon as an Adjuvant in Reducing the Glycemic Biomarkers of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Three-Month, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The major aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of cinnamon as an adjuvant treatment in reducing glycemic levels in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to a placebo. The study was conducted between August and December 2019, with 160 people with type 2 diabetes, in five Primary Health Units, in Parnaíba, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were: persons of both genders using oral antidiabetic agents, with glycated hemoglobin ≥ 6.0%, and between 18 and 80 years of age. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin levels after 90 days of intervention. Other biomarkers evaluated were fasting blood glucose, insulin level, and HOMA-IR index. Participants were divided equally into two groups of 80 individuals each, and were given 3 g capsules of either cinnamon or placebo to be taken in combination with their usual oral antidiabetic agents. After 90 days, participants in the cinnamon group had statistically significant reductions of 0.2% of glycated hemoglobin and 0.55 mmol/L of fasting venous glucose, when compared with the placebo group. Cinnamon reduced the glycemic measures of persons with type 2 diabetes, albeit with modest reductions. TRIAL: RBR-2KKB6D.

Analysis of the effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) in the reduction of glycemic and lipidic levels of adults with type 2 diabetes: A study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that is increasing the number of cases worldwide. The treatments currently used have not worked as expected. Alternative and complementary medicines were inserted in health services, especially in primary care, as an attempt to minimize risks and help control diseases such as diabetes. Among the herbal medicines used stands out cinnamon, which can serve as an adjuvant in the control of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of 3 grams of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) per day for 90 days in reducing glycemic and lipid levels in adults with T2DM compared with placebo METHODS:: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial, which will be conducted at basic health units in the city of Parnaíba, state of Piauí, Brazil. In total, 130 people diagnosed with T2DM, followed at health units, with hemoglobin A1c > 6.5%, and using oral antidiabetic medicines, are expected to participate in the study. The intervention will last for 3 months, and each participant will receive a total of 3 bottles containing 120 capsules in each bottle of cinnamon or placebo. Each person should take 4 capsules daily, for 90 days. The patients will be distributed into the 2 groups by performing block randomization (n = 6) at a ratio of 1:1 according to a code generated by a software. Assessments of socioeconomic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric, and laboratory variables will be performed in 2 separate visits. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to investigate cinnamon to reduce glycemic, lipid, and anthropometric levels in Brazil. In case of favorable results, this therapy may be used as an alternative or additional medicine in cases where only oral antidiabetic agents are used and can promote the use of the product to minimize future complications of patients with diabetes and people who do not have the disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-2KKB6D, registered on December 11th, 2018.

Telecoaching programme for type 2 diabetes control: a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND:: People with diabetes have a high risk of developing micro and macrovascular complications that increase treatment costs and shorten life expectancy. Telecoaching programmes can improve short-term control of diabetes and reduce disease burden. AIMS:: To analyse the effect of a health telecoaching programme in the control of type 2 diabetes. METHODS:: A pragmatic clinical trial was carried out. Thirty-one patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into control and intervention groups. The control group received usual nursing care, and those in the intervention group received usual care and telecoaching for 24 weeks. FINDINGS:: The intervention group improved: measurements of abdominal circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index; variables related to glycaemic control (fasting venous glucose and glycated haemoglobin/HbA1c); and high-density lipoprotein levels. CONCLUSION:: The data indicate that telecoaching is an effective tool for diabetes management. It is recommended that the study should be developed to include more people and run over the long term.

The effect of flour from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The single or combined use of herbal and dietary products with medications has shown benefits in the metabolic modulation of carbohydrates, in the restoring of the function of pancreatic beta cells, and in insulin resistance. To analyze the effect of the use of flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2. METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized clinical trial was undertaken with 54 participants over an eight-week period. The participants from the case group were advised to ingest 12 g of the flour, three times daily; before breakfast, lunch and dinner. RESULTS: After eight weeks of use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, we did not identify significant statistical differences in the values for capillary blood glucose (p = 0.562), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.268) or glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.229) between the study groups. In the case group, we identified an increase (29.6%-37%) of the people with normal HbA1c; however, this did not have statistical relevance (p = 0.274). DISCUSSION: Based in our findings, we believe it is important to extend the time of exposure to the intervention and increase the rigor in the monitoring of adherence in future studies on this topic. Only in this way will we be able to make confident inferences in relation to the use of flour made from the rind of theyellow passion fruit as a therapeutic tool for glycemic and/or metabolic control in persons with DM 2. CONCLUSIONS: In the sample in question, the use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, over an eight-week period, did not improve the glycemic control of people with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration: U1111.1187.3616. Registered 6 September, retrospectively registered, in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry.

Neck circumference as a potential marker of metabolic syndrome among college students.

OBJECTIVE: to relate neck circumference with metabolic syndrome and its criteria among college students. METHOD: cross-sectional study conducted with 702 college students in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil from September 2010 to June 2011. Socio-demographic data, waist circumference and neck circumference were collected together with blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and HDL-C. RESULTS: 1.7% of the studied sample presented metabolic syndrome. Of these, 58.3% presented altered neck circumference (p<0.006). As neck circumference decreases, pressure levels improve (p<0.001). Additionally, college students with high fasting blood sugar (p=0.003) and high triglyceride levels (p<0.001) presented higher values of neck circumference. CONCLUSION: neck circumference is a potential predictive marker in the detection of metabolic syndrome and its components among college students.

[Correlation between anthropometric indicators and sleep quality among Brazilian university students]. / Correlação entre indicadores antropométricos e a qualidade do sono de universitários brasileiros.

The current study investigated the correlation between anthropometric indicators and sleep quality among Brazilian university students using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A cross-sectional assessment with 702 university students was conducted between March 2010 and June 2011. Results showed that cases of obesity were more frequent among students who were good sleepers. On the other hand, overweight and high cervical and abdominal circumference was most prominent among poor sleepers. Thus, apart from the damage caused by sleep disorders alone, additional risks due to the association between poor sleep quality and being overweight, central obesity, and increased cervical perimeter are highlighted.

Study of lipid profile in a population of university students.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the lipid profile in a population of university students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 702 students, of both genders enrolled in various courses at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. The demographic data and data on lifestyle habits were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The blood collection was performed in a clinical laboratory. RESULTS: Showed a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 21.5 years with more females (62.7%). High levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) were found in 23.0%, 9.7% and 5.9% of students, respectively. The cholesterol associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was at reduced values in 12.0% of subjects and was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.0231) and physical inactivity (p=0.0357). CONCLUSION: Changes in lipid profile are present in the young population and intervention studies should be encouraged in order to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

[Physical activity practice by adolescents from Fortaleza, CE, Brazil]. / Prática de atividade física por adolescentes de Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

It aimed to learn the daily habits related to the physical activity practice among private state schools adolescents in Fortaleza-Brazil. We investigated 307 students between 12 and 17 years old from six private schools, in the months March to June 2007. We applied a form which recorded sedentarism, BMI, blood pressure and blood glucose. The chi-squared test was used for to analysis the proportions. About 68% of young people were sedentary. The sedentarism was higher in females surveyed (p=0, 000) and those with over-weight (p=0,001). Among adolescents active exercise was the most practiced football (42%) and weights (19%). The health education in schools can assist in combating the sedentarism of the adolescents.

[Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus among adolescents]. / Fatores de risco para diabetes mellitus tipo 2 entre adolescentes.

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes (DM2) in a population of private schools adolescents of Fortaleza-Brazil. A total 794 students aged 12 to 17 years, from 12 schools, were evaluated in the months of May, June, August and September 2007. A form was applied approaching sociodemographics aspects, BMI, blood pressure, capillary glycemia and sedentary lifestyle. Approximately 24% of the participants had high BMI, 65% were sedentary and 51% had family history of DM2. In those with larger income, 73.5% had family history of DM2 (p = 0.04). About 39% of the adolescents had at least two risk factors for DM2. Most of the risk factors for DM2 identified in this study are changeable, therefore, susceptible to preventive interventions in the school setting.