Cinnamon dietary supplements could pose well being dangers by interfering with prescription medicines.
- Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon could activate drug-clearing receptors within the physique
- Overuse of dietary supplements can decrease the effectiveness of prescribed drugs
- Cassia cinnamon, generally bought in shops, has larger ranges of coumarin
Cinnamon is greater than only a beloved spice sprinkled on lattes and oatmeal. Lengthy praised for its function in
Analysis of bioaccessibility, metabolic clearance and interplay with xenobiotic receptors (PXR and AhR) of cinnamaldehyde
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In keeping with a 2024 examine by the College of Mississippi’s Nationwide Heart for Pure Merchandise Analysis, cinnamaldehyde—the principle lively compound in cinnamon—could intrude with drug metabolism by activating receptors that clear medicines from the physique too rapidly.
What Is Cinnamaldehyde?
Cinnamaldehyde is the compound answerable for cinnamon’s distinctive taste and aroma. It additionally contributes to cinnamon’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and glucose-lowering properties. These advantages have earned cinnamon a revered place in conventional drugs and trendy wellness circles.
However scientists are actually paying nearer consideration to how cinnamaldehyde behaves contained in the physique—particularly when consumed in excessive concentrations through dietary supplements or important oils.
100% Bioaccessible—However That’s Not At all times a Good Factor
A key discovering from the examine was that cinnamaldehyde is 100% bioaccessible, which means the physique can absolutely take in it in each fasted and fed digestive states. Whereas this excessive absorption price sounds promising, it additionally means cinnamaldehyde can straight work together with metabolic pathways—particularly these concerned in breaking down medicine.
In liver cell fashions, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamon oil each inhibited enzymes like CYP2C9 and CYP1A2, that are important for processing many prescribed drugs. In addition they activated xenobiotic receptors akin to PXR and AhR, which regulate the velocity at which the physique clears international substances—together with medicines.
This might imply your drugs leaves your system too rapidly to be efficient.
The Hidden Dangers of Over-Supplementation
Whereas including a pinch of cinnamon to your espresso isn’t trigger for concern, the identical can’t be stated for high-dose cinnamon dietary supplements or important oils.
“Overconsumption of dietary supplements may result in speedy clearance of prescription drugs, making it much less efficient,” the researchers warning.
That is particularly worrisome for people with persistent situations like diabetes, coronary heart illness, or melancholy, who typically depend on long-term remedy use. The danger is even better when these people self-prescribe natural dietary supplements with out informing their healthcare suppliers.
Not All Cinnamon Is Created Equal
One other layer to this story lies in the kind of cinnamon you eat. Most grocery-store cinnamon is Cassia cinnamon, which comprises excessive ranges of coumarin, a pure blood thinner that may be hazardous when taken in extra—significantly for these already on anticoagulant remedy.
Alternatively, Ceylon cinnamon, typically labeled as “true cinnamon,” comprises far decrease coumarin ranges and poses much less danger.
Nonetheless, whatever the sort, massive doses—particularly in complement kind—can create situations for herb-drug interactions that will go unnoticed till a prescription drug begins failing to work.
A Phrase of Warning for Complement Customers
As the recognition of pure treatments grows, specialists urge warning.
“Our greatest recommendation is to speak to a healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing any dietary supplements together with prescription drugs,” the report advises.
And that recommendation doesn’t simply apply to cinnamon. Many natural dietary supplements can affect how your physique handles medicines. With out correct steerage, what begins as a well-intentioned well being enhance may inadvertently disrupt your remedy plan.
Cinnamon continues to supply promising well being advantages, significantly in blood sugar management and coronary heart well being. Nevertheless, excessive doses—particularly in concentrated complement kind—could intrude with how your physique processes medicines. Till extra medical research present clearer solutions, it’s finest to take pleasure in cinnamon sparsely and seek the advice of your physician earlier than including dietary supplements to your routine.
Nature can heal, however when mixed with drugs, it should be dealt with with care—your well being is dependent upon the concord between the 2.
Reference:
- Analysis of bioaccessibility, metabolic clearance and interplay with xenobiotic receptors (PXR and AhR) of cinnamaldehyde
– (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666566224000443?)
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