Cinnamon extract could ease metabolic syndrome

Cinnamon extract could ease metabolic syndrome

By Stephen Daniells 18/10/2006- A daily supplement of cinnamon extract may boost antioxidant defences and reduce the oxidative stress linked to the metabolic syndrome, suggest results from a small placebo-controlled, double-blind study from the US.

"This study tells us that the active compounds found in cinnamon extract may be helpful in reducing the risk of these diseases by providing cells protection from harmful oxidation," said Dr. Richard Anderson from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a collaborator on the study. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterised by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The syndrome has been linked to increased risks of both type-2 diabetes and CVD.

Fifteen per cent of adult Europeans are estimated to be affected by MetS, while the US statistic is estimated to be a whopping 32 per cent.

The new study, presented earlier this month at the 47th American College of Nutrition annual meeting, adds to a growing body of research reporting that active compounds in cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity in people with impaired fasting blood sugar levels.

The study is said to be the first to show an effect of cinnamon extracts on antioxidant status in humans and adds further support to the potential beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.

Twenty-four participants with impaired fasting glucose were recruited for the placebo-controlled, double-blind study, led by Dr. Anne-Marie Roussel from the Joseph Fourier University in France. They were randomly assigned to receive either a daily dose of 500 milligrams of cinnamon extract (Cinnulin PF, Integrity Nutraceuticals) or a placebo for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study the researchers found that plasma antioxidant levels, as measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and plasma SH (thiols) were both significantly increased, relative to the placebo group. Plasma levels of the compound, malondialdehyde (MDA), a reactive carbonyl compound related to oxidative stress, were also decreased as a result of cinnamon supplementation, but were unchanged in the placebo group.

NutraIngredients.com has not seen the original data, nor has it been published to date in a peer-review journal.

Dr. Anderson said in a statement that the results of Dr. Roussel's study were "extremely positive."

"People with impaired insulin function are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, the number one killer in the U.S. This study tells us that the active compounds found in cinnamon extract may be helpful in reducing the risk of these diseases by providing cells protection from harmful oxidation," he said.

A previous study by Dr. Anderson 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 May (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).

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

Tim Romero, vice president, Integrity Nutraceuticals International, marketer of Cinnulin PF, welcomed the results: “Cinnulin PF provides a safe and effective nutritional solution to millions of people suffering from impaired insulin function and pre-diabetes.

"Moving forward we will continue to invest our time and resources in additional clinical studies to further validate the science in support of Cinnulin PF," he said.

According to Integrity, Cinnulin PF cont

Here's one study that was pretty impressive:

http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4710/4710a4.pdf

This one was interesting also: You'll see how it brought down Triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose levels.

Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8.Click here to read Links Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes.

* Khan A, * Safdar M, * Ali Khan MM, * Khattak KN, * Anderson RA.

Department of Human Nutrition, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: 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. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

I grind up a 3 inch stick of cinnamon in my protein shake every day. I have been doing so more for family medical reasons than any other.

If you boil the cinnamon the fatty material can be removed.

Or the product Cinnulin PF already has these removed.

Swanson has a good combo product out with the Cin PF..actually more than one.

"I just thought I'd add that it looks like cinnamon has the same insulin-lowering effects as vinegar. (That is, cinnamon also makes insulin more effective/less necessary and combats blood sugar spikes.)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=117040

http://www.youngagain.com/cinnamon2.html

Yes, I was talking about the cinnamon study myself in a past post. However, one bad thing I reported about it earlier is that my best friend's mother, the one who has diabetes, tested cinnamon herself a while back, and found that it did indeed appear to work well for a while, but it seemed to eventually lose its effectiveness (I think it happend over a period of a month or so). I have pretty good confidence in what she says, because she is quite used to checking her glucose levels several times a day, and knows EXACTLY how well she is responding to any treatment. She says it eventually just quit working for her.

It obviously remains to be seen whether or not vinegar meets a similar fate; that is, it might also work well for a while to stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, but what if our bodies ALSO develop a kind of "tolerance" to it, for God-knows-what reason? I'm a pretty cautious person: in my first post at the top of this thread, you'll notice that I was careful to emphasize that this is still an EXPERIMENTAL treatment.

Bryan"

There must be some info since then at the Cin PF site or ? that shows whether this is true or not.

In general I think I eat quite well, but occasionally I succumb to say a baguette and whatnot, etc. Would this be beneficial if I took it right after the meal (i mean only for the meals which are high in carbs)? or would it have to be taken on an ongoing basis?

Thanks if anyone knows.

22.5mg Forskolin makes a pretty big difference within 30 minutes too for me, but I swear I see more hyperpigmentation with it though... and it isn't recommended for those with prostate cancer. So far better diet, more exercise, and 6-8hrs of sleep have helped the most over the last 6 months.

How much this all affects hair I dunno as I am doing a shit load of other stuff, but the hair has gotten better in the last 6 months.

Cinnamon

In case anyone missed out, here's some more info on Cinnamon in the other thread.

http://www.regrowth.com/hairloss-forums/viewthread.cfm?f=1&t=15165

Update: Cinnulin PF may increase hair loss. Read the thread link above.

This is only preliminary, so caution if anyone uses Cinnulin PF.

If anyone is currently using it, please mention your experiences.

What next.

First of all, Type-A polymers were misidentified as MHCP in earlier research on cinnamon.

Yet the MHCP might be helpful in inhibiting fungal 17-Beta-HSD. The Cinnulin PF product is geared towards the type-A polymers. Chances are there is some MHCP in there, how much? Who knows.

Will it help? Only one way to find out. Try it.

Every time you get caught saying something stupid and/or it just plain doesn't add up..you respond with name calling.

Now there's a chance there's some MHCP in there. Before you said there wasn't any.

You said "Cinnulin PF may increase hair loss". You then, in your response to me, say why and/or what you're experiencing. Which could be caused by anything dietary or something else you're taking or the combo of things you're taking etc. Now you're saying- try it.

I am warning those who are looking into cinnamon to exert caution and see how it is effecting them positive or negative.

Re:

Because they found that it wasn't MHCP that gave Cinnamon Insulin-like properties, but the type-A polymers.

I take it you were looking for some other effect besides that on glucose and lipids.

Oh I see this goes back to the 17beta-HSDs topic.

Its effects on triglyerides, glucose and other factors have always been very interesting...

However, the Chalcones which are part of the MHCP may strongly inhibit fungal 17-Beta-HSD.

Since evaluating Cinnulin PF, I have found my forehead act adversely, but to rule out any "adjustment" period I've been sticking with it and upped the dose.

Any results bad or good will be inconclusive for a while. If anyone with candida decides to try this, would be a much better test than me.

Cinnamon is an anti-fungal, I suspect it is the MHCP that is responsible for that. Part of the question is, will the polymer extracts contain enough of the MHCP.

"Do you have high cholesterol and triglycerides levels. and high blood sugar?The cure is recommended by my grandma who lived up to the age of 108.

Then have 1/4 spoon of cinnamon powder with milk in the morning for a month. Please note overdose is not permitted. Your blood sugar will come down along with your cholesterol and triglycerides."

I wanted to post it here, put to my surprise found you already have a thread about it...

So is this stuff worth taking?

Significant reductions in triglycerides, glucose levels were found even during chronic feeding of fructose corn syrup.

Apparently, cinnamon can increase the efficacy of insulin by 300%, therefore would reduce output of our own insulin, which in theory would help with hair loss.

What's more there are chalcones and flavonoids in cinnamon that inhibit fungal based driven activity of the steroid 17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase. If there's any hint of fungal build up that could increase production of androstenedione, which will lead to DHT and Estrogen.

Naturally, potentially ridding this enzyme increase is desirable.

Putting it in another perspective centurian studies have shown that the lower insulin levels we have the longer we live. I'll add the more hair we'll have on top of that.

So if you’re taking Cinnulin PF can you take cinnamon as well? Or which one is best to take?

I already take fish oil to lower triglycerides...wouldn’t to much lowering of triglycerides be bad? Probably not but it's just a thought..

So basicly inhibiting the activity of the stereoid 17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase is good...and cinnamon seems to be doing that right? how many mg per day and what time during the day would one have to take the cinnamon, I found one at swansons SW1025 which i think ill place in my new order which ill be making soon..

So far I’ve been on you’re top3 with maintains and perhaps maybe some stability in the growth of the hair..but I’m concerned about my liver, and weither taking 20 caps a day is something good for it in the long run...you who take many stuff during a day maybe have an answer to that question...

I've been taking Cinnulin PF for a few months now too as part of Swanson's "Blood Sugar Support"... It also has ALA and Vanadium. I must say that based on meter readings it doesn't make a big difference in BG to me. Because of the high cost I will not likely keep taking it.

My liver health couldn't be better. All this stuff really helps the liver. What the liver "hates" is high triglycerides, bad fats and high glycemic foods.

I have a special note of caution on cinnamon. You can take regular cinnamon, but there are fat soluble properties in there that are toxic. I take the Cinnulin PF does has these compounds removed.

However, this can be done at home. What you do is boil the cinnamon in water and removed the clumped fatty material. What's left are the beneficial components.

I'm sticking with the cinnamon--at least for now.

Is there anything ells besides Cinnulin PF (cinnamon) that helps the insulin and the blood sugar levels?

Can you explain why Cinnulin PF may increase hair loss?

Fortunately it completely subsided. In fact, I'm taking more of the cinnamon than before. If there was an effect or is one, my initial thought was perhaps it mimicked the actions of insulin too much.

For the time being that doesn't seem to be the case. As I said previously, the studies on cinnamon are very intriguing for a variety of reasons. I've got enough of it for a good test.

The way I look at it is this, the less insulin the pancreas has to secrete in order to satisfy blood sugar metabolism the better for your hair and your health.

What else lowers glucose and insulin? Several things, but here's some good ones.

Pterocarpus marsupium, Banaba Leaf, Gymnema Sylvestre, Lipoic Acid, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Benfotiamine, and Magnesium.

Someone..do a search at iherb.com or Swanson's..etc. You'll see plenty of single ingredients as well as multi-products. Such as this one

"More than three years ago I reported that the present treatment for male-pattern baldness is not very effective and that male pattern baldness may be caused by insulin resistance, and that a diet high in sugar and flour may cause irreversible hair loss. A study in the journal Lancet shows that male pattern baldness may well be caused by insulin resistance. Male pattern baldness means loss of hair on the top and front of the head, but not the sides. Insulin resistance means that a person cannot respond well to insulin causing both men and women to have very high blood levels of insulin. When you eat, your blood sugar level rises.. To keep blood sugar levels from rising too high, your pancreas releases insulin which drives sugar from the blood into your cells. Some people respond poorly to insulin so their blood sugar levels rise too high and then they produce way too much insulin that causes man and women to lose hair.

Men who are at high risk for male-pattern baldness have the same characteristics as those who are likely to develop diabetes. They store fat primarily in their bellies, rather than their hips, have high blood triglyceride levels, have low blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol that prevents heart attacks, have a family history of diabetes , and are at high risk for suffering a heart attack and eventually developing diabetes.

A recent study from Johns Hopkins shows that men who lose their hair early have high blood levels of insulin like growth factor-1, a hormone that the body produces in response to high blood sugar levels. Women who have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome suffer from male-pattern baldness, have high blood insulin levels and can often be cured by taking medication to lower blood sugar levels and restricting foods that raise blood sugar the most, such as those with added sugar, bakery products, pastas and fruit juices. Eat root vegetables and fruits with other foods, and eat plenty of vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts."