For years, doctors mainly addressed Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) by treating the symptoms, not the cause. Doctors understood that PCOS occurred because of a hormonal imbalance, but they were unsure what caused this hormonal imbalance. Recent research has shown that insulin resistance may cause PCOS. Insulin resistance causes glucose to remain in the blood stream, resulting in elevated levels of blood sugar. The body eventually becomes glucose intolerant, which can lead to PCOS. In fact, some doctors believe PCOS is an early form of diabetes. More and more doctors are treating PCOS by addressing the insulin resistance.

A pilot study published by Fertility and Sterility (July 2007) examined a natural treatment for insulin resistance in women with PCOS – cinnamon. The study examined 15 women with PCOS who were given daily doses of oral cinnamon or a placebo for eight weeks. After eight weeks, the women who took cinnamon had a significant reduction in insulin resistance while the women who had the placebo experienced no change.

The scientists who conducted the pilot study would like to create a larger study to measure other factors such as the affect of cinnamon on the menstrual cycle. Until then, if you have PCOS and have tested positive for insulin resistance, you may want to consider drinking cinnamon tea or adding some extra cinnamon to your recipes.