Sugar Vs. Spice

Over the past decade, incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Americans has more than doubled. As of 2006 the CDC found that 16.8 million people suffer from this disease that can potentially lead to serious complications or even premature death if left unchecked. However, there are several steps diabetics can take in order to manage the disease and reduce risk of complications.

In addition to regular medical screenings and prescribed management plan, research shows that adding little spice in your diet can go a long way in lowering blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine recently published an article detailing the positive effects of cinnamon supplements for diabetics. Diabetics who consumed 1g of cinnamon daily in addition to their usual prescribed care saw a significant improvement in glucose control.

This breakthrough provides a more holistic and perhaps accessible dimension to managing blood sugar for those struggling with diabetes, particularly for our patients here at St. Anthony Free Medical Clinic participating in our Diabetes Care Management Program. Diabetes management is particularly difficult for our low-income and homeless patients.

Adult-onset diabetes is often a result of poor diet and limited exercise, yet a healthy, low fat diet can feel like the least important issue for those struggling to make ends meet – especially in our own Tenderloin neighborhood which does not have a single grocery store. Medication and blood sugar monitoring can feel all but impossible for someone who already struggling to find a place to sleep or the next meal. St. Anthony Free Medical Clinic gives our diabetic patients the tools and support to take control of their disease. St. Anthony Free Medical Clinic not only provides medical checks and diabetes management for free, but connects people with access to nutritious food. In a preventative effort against diabetes we provide nutrition counseling for all patients, and focus on diabetics in need to reduce risk of side effects. Diabetes affects our clients in disproportionate numbers – research advances in treatment are particularly important to the needy in promoting better health.