Cinnamon Pills For Dieting

Cinnamon is a plant used for both food flavoring and for medicinal purposes. Cinnamon is sold in supplement or pill form and is used to treat a number of health problems, including overweight- and obesity-related diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol. However, science has yet to confirm that cinnamon is effective in treating any conditions.

Cinnamon and Blood Glucose

A 2003 study published in Diabetes Care found that people with type 2 diabetes who took cinnamon supplements for 40 days reduced their fasting blood glucose levels considerably, causing researchers to conclude that inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes can reduce risk factors related to diabetes. A 2006 study on the effects of cinnamon on hypertensive rats, published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition, found that while cinnamon did not lower blood glucose levels in hypertensive rats, it did lower their circulating insulin levels, suggesting that cinnamon may somehow benefit glucose metabolism.

Cinnamon and Cholesterol

The Diabetes Care study found that, in addition to lowering blood sugar levels, 40 days of cinnamon supplementation also lowered the triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels of diabetic subjects. These results led researchers to also conclude that cinnamon may reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Expert Insight

Despite the results of the Diabetes Care study, which indicated cinnamon's potential for controlling diabetes and high cholesterol, both the National Institute of Health's Medline Plus and MayoClinic.com says that further research has not confirmed the use of cinnamon for either of these conditions. Medline Plus states that there is insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of cinnamon for treating diabetes, high cholesterol or any other condition.

Potential

Although research examining cinnamon's effects blood glucose and cholesterol has produced inconclusive results, cinnamon may also offer other health benefits, such as those related to its antioxidant effects. Another trial using obese type 2 diabetic subjects, conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2009, found that cinnamon pills raised subjects' antioxidant status, indicating that cinnamon may reduce health risks caused by obesity-related oxidative stress. Additionally, cinnamon may provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-tumor properties, although further research is necessary to confirm these uses.

Safety

Medline Plus states that cinnamon is likely safe when used in amounts commonly found in foods and in medicinal doses, though it is possibly unsafe when taken in large amounts over a long period of time. As cinnamon may lower blood sugar, diabetics should monitor their blood sugar carefully to avoid hypoglycemia when taking cinnamon in amounts higher than those normally found in food. Cinnamon also contains chemicals that may harm the liver, so if you have liver disease or are taking medications that may harm the liver, consult a health professional before taking large amounts of cinnamon.