Cinnamon comes from the inner
bark of the shoots of a tree (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) that grows
predominantly in India, China, and Ceylon. The inner rind when
dried and rolled into cylinders forms the cinnamon of commerce. The fruit
and coarser pieces of bark when boiled yield a fragrant oil.
Cinnamon is aromatic and one of the best tasting spices. In recent years
scientists have discovered that cinnamon extract has strong antioxidant
activity and has the potential to help maintain healthy blood sugar and
cholesterol levels. Patients with diabetes may find cinnamon to be a
healthful addition to their diet. Cinnamon is sometimes added to
natural weight loss products, especially in combination with
Green-Tea-Extract or another herb called
hoodia extract.
A
combination of hoodia,
ginger, cinnamon, green tea extract, spirulina, acetylcarnitine, choline, guggul,
5htp, and several
other herbs and nutrients, as found in
Diet Rx,
a very effective herbal diet pill for weight
loss. Users of Diet Rx have lost several pounds within two to three weeks.
Acai
juice is not likely to lead to weight loss.
Cinnamon pill use has become popular since studies indicate it may have a role to play in lowering blood sugar. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the shoots of a tree (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) that grows predominantly in India, China, and Ceylon. The inner rind when dried and rolled into cylinders forms the cinnamon of commerce. The fruit and coarser pieces of bark when boiled yield a fragrant oil. Cinnamon is aromatic and one of the best tasting spices. In recent years scientists have discovered that cinnamon extract has strong antioxidant activity and has the potential to help maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Patients with diabetes may find cinnamon to be a healthful addition to their diet.
Planetary Formulas
Buy Cinnamon
Extract 200 mg pill


One of the oldest remedies used in traditional Chinese herbalism for
digestive support, recent studies have shown cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels, when used as part of
your diet, by activating insulin and glucose transport and improving
glucose metabolism.
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Cinnamon, blood sugar control,
and diabetes
There is a debate in the medical community regarding the role of cinnamon
in blood sugar control. Several studies have shown that cinnamon can help
reduce blood sugar in those with type two diabetes. One study in September
2007 in the journal Diabetes Care did not find such benefit. However,
there were at least two design flaws. The cinnamon dose was only one gram
a day as opposed to several grams a day, and the diabetics were already
taking blood sugar lowering prescription drugs.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City randomly
assigned type 2 diabetics to take either cinnamon capsules or a placebo
every day for three months. The cinnamon group took two capsules a day,
each of which contained 500 milligrams of the spice. In the end, there
were no differences in the groups' average levels of blood sugar, insulin
or cholesterol, according to Dr. Steve M. Blevins. Diabetes Care,
September 2007.
Cinnamon lowers blood sugar
It has been quite a number of years now
that researchers have tested the role of cinnamon supplements in blood
sugar control. Most studies, but not all, have shown cinnamon to play a
positive role. In this latest study done at Malmo University Hospital,
University of Lund, in Sweden, the effect of cinnamon was tested on the
rate of gastric emptying, the after meal blood glucose response, and
satiety in healthy subjects. Healthy subjects ingested 300 grams
of rice pudding or 300 grams of rice pudding along with 6 grams of
cinnamon. The addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding significantly delayed
gastric emptying and lowered the glucose response after the meal.
My comments: Most cinnamon supplements come in 300 to 500 mg of
regular powder, and lower amounts for concentrated extracts. It would seem
reasonable to use about 3 grams a day of the regular powder and less of
the extracts. This study did not include other supplements. Many people
who have diabetes are often taking several other supplements and
medicines. It is not clear how the cinnamon addition would interact with
these medicines or other products. For this reason perhaps starting with
one cinnamon capsule and gradually building up could be a good option.
Discuss with your health care provider.
Cinnamon study
Cinnamon extract prevents the insulin resistance induced by a
high-fructose diet.
Qin B. Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
Horm Metab Res. 2004 Feb;36(2):119-25.
The aim of this study was to determine whether cinnamon extract would
improve the glucose utilization in normal male Wistar rats fed a
high-fructose diet (HFD) for three weeks with or without cinnamon extract
added to the drinking water (300 mg/kg/day). In vivo glucose utilization
was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique. Further analyses on the
possible changes in insulin signaling occurring in skeletal muscle were
performed afterwards by Western blotting. At 3 mU/kg/min insulin
infusions, the decreased glucose infusion rate (GIR) in HFD-fed rats (60 %
of controls) was improved by cinnamon extract administration to
the same level of controls (normal chow diet) and the improving effect of
cinnamon extract on the GIR of HFD-fed rats was blocked by approximately
50 % by N-monometyl-L-arginine. The same tendency was found during the 30
mU/kg/min insulin infusions. There were no differences in skeletal muscle
insulin receptor (IR)-beta, IR substrate (IRS)-1, or phosphatidylinositol
(PI) 3-kinase protein content in any groups. Our results
suggest that early cinnamon extract administration to HFD-fed rats would
prevent the development of insulin resistance at least in part by
enhancing insulin signaling and possibly via the NO pathway in skeletal
muscle.
Isolation and characterization of polyphenol
type-A polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity.
Anderson RA.Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, USDA, ARS, Bldg
307C, Rm 223, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA.
J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Jan 14;52(1):65-70.
We have shown that extracts from cinnamon enhance the activity of
insulin. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize
insulin-enhancing complexes from cinnamon that may be involved in the
alleviation or possible prevention and control of glucose intolerance and
diabetes. Water-soluble polyphenol polymers from cinnamon that increase
insulin-dependent in vitro glucose metabolism roughly 20-fold and display
antioxidant activity were isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic
resonance and mass spectroscopy. The polymers were composed of monomeric
units with a molecular mass of 288. Two trimers with a molecular mass of
864 and a tetramer with a mass of 1152 were isolated. Their protonated
molecular masses indicated that they are A type doubly linked procyanidin
oligomers of the catechins and/or epicatechins. These polyphenolic
polymers found in cinnamon may function as antioxidants, potentiate
insulin action, and may be beneficial in the control of glucose
intolerance and diabetes.
Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes.
Khan A. NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8.
The objective of this study was to determine whether
cinnamon improves blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
A total of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 30
men and 30 women aged 52.2 +/- 6.32 years, were divided randomly into six
groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily,
respectively, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were given placebo capsules
corresponding to the number of capsules consumed for the three levels of
cinnamon. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days followed by a 20-day
washout period. After 40 days, all three levels of cinnamon
reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18-29%), triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol (7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%) levels; no
significant changes were noted in the placebo groups. Changes in HDL
cholesterol were not significant. The results of this study
demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum
glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people
with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the
diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated
with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Controlled trial of the effect of cinnamon
extract on Helicobacter pylori.
Nir Y. Bnai Zion Medical Center, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
Helicobacter. 2000 Jun;5(2):94-7.
Helicobacter pylori has been associated with the
pathogenesis of antral gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric lymphoma.
Eradication of H. pylori has been shown to reverse or prevent relapse of
these diseases. Antimicrobials employed in the eradication of H. pylori
are not without adverse effects. Newer treatment modalities, therefore,
are required. In vitro studies have shown the effectiveness of cinnamon
extract against H. pylori and its urease. In this pilot study, we tested
the activity of an alcoholic extract of cinnamon in a group of patients
infected with H. pylori. Fifteen patients (11
women, 4 men) aged 16 to 79 years were given 40 mg of an alcoholic
cinnamon extract twice daily for 4 weeks; eight patients aged 35 to 79 (7
women, 1 man) received placebo. The amount of H. pylori colonization was
measured by the 13C urea breath test before and after therapy.
The mean urea breath test counts in the study and control groups before
and after therapy were 22 and 23 versus 24 and 25, respectively.
The cinnamon extract was well tolerated, and side effects were minimal.
We concluded that cinnamon extract, at a concentration of 80
mg /day as a single agent, is ineffective in eradicating H. pylori.
Combination of cinnamon with other antimicrobials, or cinnamon extract at
a higher concentration, however, may prove useful.
Planetary Formulas Cinnamon
Glucose Balance
In recent years, cinnamon has become recognized in our industry as a key
player in maintaining healthy blood sugar balance.
Planetary Herbals has played a central role, and now makes available a new
and outstanding herbal formula: Cinnamon Glucose Balance. Supports healthy
blood sugar regulation, Healthy metabolic support, Antioxidant and
cardiovascular support.
Cinnamone bark extract
availability from raw herb and
ingredient suppliers
Cinnamon bark is available as a plain powder or in various extract potencies,
for instance a 5 to 1 concentration.
Cinnamon supplement questions
Q. Can a cinnamon supplement be taken along with
5-HTP supplement.
A. If the 5htp and cinnamon supplement dosages are low or reasonable, yes.
See further reading
herbal research
information.
Q. How many capsules a day of cinnamon supplement
would help with blood sugar control?
A. It's difficult to predict in any one individual, but it's best
to begin with one capsule and take more over time.
Q. I discovered your site while trying to find out what may have caused one of the worst nights of my life. Could too much cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon), sprinkled on, say, grapefruit or oranges, cause intestinal aches? Onslaughts of pain like tidal waves striking an unprotected beach? Intermittent tortures occurring every twelve minutes and lasting about 12 seconds, OVER TEN HOURS?! My insides are still sore, and I'm still shaky and wobbly, but I think cinnamon, and to a much greater degree, nutmeg, should not be treated like harmless aromatic spices. Even a pinch too much can cause agony.
Q. I read somewhere about adding honey and
cinnamon to "tea water". Is this just hot water, or is it any flavor of tea that
you add this to?
A. Some people like cinnamon taste in various teas, others don't,
you may wish to try to see which teas you like combined with cinnamon.
Q. Recently, there have been a lot of publication
on cinnamon herb. I would like your input on this subject. My friend had
mentioned to me that he started taking 2 cinnamon capsules 1,000mg daily on what
he heard about cinnamon. He is pre-diabetic. He did stop after I had showed him
the site that I was reading. Never asked his Doctor if he could take the
supplement. I was concern because he is taking 3 blood pressure medications and
gout medication, and that the combination would interfere with each other.
A. There is no clear evidence yet that a few grams of cinnamon make
a significant difference in blood sugar control.
Q. "Cinnamon extract inhibits the aggregation of
tau and disassembles fibers that have already formed." I ran across this rather
tantalizing information: The title is "CINNAMON EXTRACT USEFUL FOR
INHIBITING THE AGGREGATION
OF TAU AND TREATING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE" by a researcher at the University of
California, Santa Barbara by the name of Donald Graves. Here is the most detail
I've found about this: "Researchers at the University of California, Santa
Barbara have discovered an extract of common cinnamon that contains a class of
small organic molecules that inhibit several key processes in Alzheimer's
disease. The cinnamon extract inhibits the aggregation of tau and
disassembles fibers that have already formed, suggesting that neurofibrillary
tangles can possibly be reversed by these compounds. The extract exhibits potent
inhibitory activity, is orally available, water-soluble, non-toxic, and the
bioactive molecules are likely brain permeable. The extract is readily produced
in large quantities and can be encapsulated in powder form for oral
administration. These properties make the cinnamon extract a highly favorable
substance for development into an effective therapeutic to slow or prevent
Alzheimer's disease." I haven't been able to find much more about this, but as you can
imagine, I'm extremely interested. I don't know what the "extract" is, exactly,
and if regular old cinnamon has enough of this stuff to do the job.
A. There are many, many laboratory studies with a variety of herbs
and natural substances that have shown benefits for Alzheimer's disease and
other conditions. Until human trials are done one should not get overly excited.
However, cinnamon has many healthy compounds and one can either add more
cinnamon spice to their diet or take cinnamon extract capsules.
How much does each cinnamon tablet of your
cinnamon supplement product extract equate to? Should I take 2 tablets after
each meal or 2 tablets total?
It is difficult to say, but each cinnamon extract pill is about
1500 mg of cinnamon powder. This is a very rough guess. As to your cinnamon
dosage, that is a decision you and your doctor would need to make based on your
individual needs.
Would one capsule of a cinnamon extract interfere
with tongkat ali herb?
One capsule should be okay as long as the dosage of the
aphrodisiac herb is low.
I am taking cinnamon zeylenicum, half teaspoon daily. Can I purchase
cinnamon powder or quills? If not if you have pure cinnamon zeylenacom
capsules, can you advise the dose equivalent to what I am taking?
Cinnamon capsules are available for sale, but these are cinnamon
extract capsules which are more potent that cinnamon powder. We suggest
starting with one cinnamon capsule a day.
I started taking 1 capsule of cinnamon about 12 days
ago after reading about it on my computer. my A1C diabetic test for 3 months was
7, so I was worried about having to take a diabetic drug. I could find no side
effects for cinnamon, which I can not say for the diabetic medications. The
cinnamon I am taking is only 1/2 of the daily dose but the results are amazing.
It has reduced my blood sugar to where it is less than 100 a lot of the time. If
you are interested, I can give you exact readings to show you how effective this
is. I would be glad to be part of a test, if it would help other type 2
diabetics like myself. I am 81 years old. The name of the cinnamon product is
Natures Bounty. It contains 500 mg per capsule of cinnamon. ( Cinnamomum cassia
(bark) also some magnesium. dosage is 1 capsule twice a day.
I am only taking 1 capsule (500 mg) and am having great success with it. I watch
my diet very carefully and eat the green stuff. I am so happy and thank God for
allowing me to read about the test that was run. My husband is also a diabetic 2
. It has not reduced his sugar as much as mine. He is on medication, which I am
not.
I take 2 grams of cinnamon
daily as a supplement, would this interact if I use yohimbe
extract once a week?
We don't think the occasional use of the aphrodisiac herb
would interact with cinnamon supplement.
I am interested (and concerned) about cinnamon's safety. The
information I have gathered seems to indicate that it's GRAS and safe if taken
over short periods of time. My concern is about the essential oil, which I think
is what flavors the gum and candy. Of course, I have taken to chewing cinnamon
gum recently. Most says that the oil is much stronger than the bark, and could
be harmful in some people. Citing mouth sores, and other such symptoms that
disappear when use is stopped. One however, mentions that long term use could
cause cancer. And anytime I see this word, I freak. I cannot find any other
article that concurs with this, which leads me to think that it's probably bunk.
In your description, I didn't see any safety precautions at all (unless I missed
it). What is your feeling on the safety of whatever oil they use to flavor gum
and candy?
We have not seen any strong evidence at this time that
cinnamon oil use leads to serious health concerns such as cancer.