Cinnamon Supplementation

[jakellpet]

Supp Demlets,

Been doing a little research on cinnamon, and looking to add it to my diet.

For general health and wellbeing (lowered blood levels of fats and "bad" cholesterol, which are also partly controlled by insulin) half a tea-spoon a day is recommended.

Does anyone have experience with alternative doses? If so, what's the rational behind it?

[lonewolf0420]

I supplement with Cinnamon. Two caps(about 1g) pre-meal.

It tastes good and helps keep blood sugar under control.

[jumpshot903]

I havent directly supplemented with it but have heard an ever increasing amount of people mention it or talk about it. It seems promising nothing insane but a staple healthy supplement.

[Rodja]

Meta-analysis questions cinnamon's diabetes benefits

1/11/2008 - Despite numerous studies championing the role of cinnamon for diabetes management, a new meta-analysis has raised questions as to the potential benefits of the supplements.

A meta-analysis of five randomised placebo-controlled trials involving 282 subjects found no significant benefits of cinnamon supplement on glycated haemoglobin (A1C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), or other lipid parameters.

And even when the researchers, from the University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital, looked at various sub-groups, no apparent benefits were observed.

"Cinnamon does not appear to improve A1C, FBG, or lipid parameters in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes," wrote lead author William Baker in the journal Diabetes Care.

An estimated 19 million people are affected by diabetes in the EU 25, equal to four per cent of the total population. This figure is projected to increase to 26 million by 2030.

In the US, there are over 20 million people with diabetes, equal to seven per cent of the population. The total costs are thought to be as much as $132 billion, with $92 billion being direct costs from medication, according to 2002 American Diabetes Association figures.

The new meta-analysis challenges other studies that reported potential benefits of the spice. A previous study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in 2003 (Diabetes Care, Vol. 26, pp. 3215-3218) that just 1g of the spice per day reduced blood glucose levels, as well as triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in a small group of people with type 2 diabetes.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind study published in 2006 (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 25, pp. 144-150) reported that cinnamon and a cinnamon extract (Cinnulin PF) could reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Furthermore, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (June 2007, Vol. 85, pp. 1552-1556) reported that cinnamon could lead to slower emptying of the stomach and reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating.

However, there have been toxicity concerns over consistent consumption or high doses of whole cinnamon or fat-soluble extracts.

Indeed, two federal institutes in Germany recently called for cinnamon dietary supplements carrying health claims to reduce blood sugar and help control type-2 diabetes should be classed as 'medicinal products', and regulated as such.

The joint announcement from the Federal Institute for Medicinal Products and MedicalDevices (BfArM) and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) states their opinion that products marketed with a diabetes health claim should be classified as medicinal products and required to seek marketing authorisation.

The concerns came about from differing coumarin levels in some products, said to cause liver damage and inflammation when higher doses are taken over a longer period by sensitive individuals.

Source: Diabetes Care
January 2008, Volume 31, Pages 41-43, doi: 10.2337/dc07-1711
"Effect of Cinnamon on Glucose Control and Lipid Parameters"
Authors: W.L. Baker, G. Gutierrez-Williams, C.M. White, J. Kluger, C.I. Coleman

[Nitrox]

I supplement with Cinnamon. Two caps(about 1g) pre-meal.

It tastes good and helps keep blood sugar under control.

What kinda blood sugar numbers do you get? It did nothing for me...

[lonewolf0420]

I don't have numbers. Its more, that I didn't feel that spike, and subsequent crash when eating a big meal.

[Tansui]

I don't have numbers. Its more, that I didn't feel that spike, and subsequent crash when eating a big meal.

x2 I couldn't tell you how it works exactly I was doing 500mg with every meal but found that was a bit much for me, I now take 500mg with my two largest meals of the day totaling 1g/ed. No real sugar spikes, rare and mild sugar lows going by feel.

[jakellpet]

See I brought proper cinnamon stick and have freshly ground it. This is not a supplement per se.

[Bigbuttchicks]

cinamin enhances insulin sensitivity which is good for bodybuilders tastes good too

[jakellpet]

cinamin enhances insulin sensitivity which is good for bodybuilders tastes good too

yep, both of these facts I know.

Im seeking people's opinion on optimal dosages.

[Rodja]

yep, both of these facts I know.

Im seeking people's opinion on optimal dosages.

I'd use another word than "fact" in this instance. Using parameters such as "I felt better" is hardly scientific and I presented a meta-analysis that disputes your position.

[jakellpet]

toe-may-toes, toe-mar-toes

[sanchezgreg18]

i usually put 5g in my oats for breakfast and 5g in my shake pwo . thats ground cinnamon not an ext or anything

[jakellpet]

i usually put 5g in my oats for breakfast and 5g in my shake pwo . thats ground cinnamon not an ext or anything

thanks G. 5g is about half a tea-spoon?

[sanchezgreg18]

5g is one measuring tsp. but if u mean just a normal teaspoon then im sure it would be about 5g too

[Nitrox]

I'd use another word than "fact" in this instance. Using parameters such as "I felt better" is hardly scientific and I presented a meta-analysis that disputes your position.

A+ for effort Rodja, but some people just cannot face up to the placebo effect...