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Gluco Rapid GDA · 90 capsules

12 reviews

GN Laboratories

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body. They are mainly transported into the cells either in the form of glucose, where they ...
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Original price €32,90

Original price €32,90 - Original price €32,90

Original price €32,90

Current price €29,28

€29,28 - €29,28

Current price €29,28

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Save 11% Save %

Cinnamon is not only a popular spice, but has also been valued for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Modern science has now confirmed what mankind has known for a long time. Cinnamon is a spice made from the inner bark of trees known scientifically as Cinnamomum. The use of cinnamon dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was rare and valuable and considered a gift for kings. Today, cinnamon is cheaply available in every supermarket and can be found as an ingredient in many dishes and recipes.

There are two primary types of cinnamon (1)

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, Ceylon cinnamon tree or true cinnamon tree), also known as true cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum, China cinnamon tree, cinnamon cassia or spice bark), is the more common variety today, which most people refer to as cinnamon.

The cinnamon that you can buy as a spice usually contains a combination of different types of cinnamon. Cinnamon is produced by cutting open the trunks of cinnamon trees. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts are removed. When the inner bark dries, it forms strips that curl up and are called cinnamon sticks. These cinnamon sticks are then ground into cinnamon powder. The characteristic smell and taste of cinnamon is based on the oily part of the cinnamon bark, which is very rich in cinnamaldehyde (2).

Scientists believe that this compound is responsible for most of cinnamon's effects on health and metabolism. Cinnamon cassia is often used as an ingredient in suntan lotions, nasal sprays, mouthwashes, toothpaste and in so-called counter-irritants for rubbing. A counterirritant is a substance that causes pain and swelling at the site to which it is applied with the aim of reducing pain and swelling at another site. Cinnamon cassia is also used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages.

Potential health benefits of cinnamon

Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon is overloaded with powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols (3, 4, 5). In a scientific study comparing the antioxidant activity of 26 different spices, cinnamon emerged as the clear winner, outperforming even well-known 'superfoods' such as garlic and organo (6). The antioxidant effects of cinnamon are so strong that cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative (7).

Summary: Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly effective polyphenol antioxidants.

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is extremely important as it helps the body fight infection and repair tissue damage. However, inflammation can become a problem when it becomes chronic and targets the body's own tissues. Cinnamon could be helpful in this regard. Studies have shown that this spice and its antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties (8, 9).

Summary: The antioxidants contained in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce the risk of disease.

Cinnamon could reduce the risk of heart disease

Cinnamon has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of premature death. In people with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram of cinnamon - about half a teaspoon - per day was enough to have a positive effect on certain blood markers. This amount of cinnamon was able to lower total cholesterol levels, levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while levels of "good" HDL cholesterol remained stable (10). A recent study review concluded that a cinnamon dose of just 120 mg per day can have these effects. In this study review, cinnamon was also able to increase the levels of "good" HDL cholesterol (11). Cinnamon has also been shown to lower blood pressure in animal studies (3). In combination, all these factors could drastically reduce the risk of heart disease.

Summary: Cinnamon may reduce some of the key risk factors for heart disease including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.

Cinnamon can improve insulin sensitivity

Insulin is one of the key hormones that regulates metabolism and the use of energy. It is also essential for the transportation of blood sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. The problem, however, is that many people are resistant to the effects of insulin. This is also known as insulin resistance and is a characteristic hallmark of serious diseases such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The good news is that cinnamon can dramatically reduce insulin resistance, which can help this important hormone do its job (12, 13). By improving insulin sensitivity, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels.

Summary: Cinnamon has been shown to significantly improve insulin sensitivity.

Cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels and has pronounced anti-diabetic effects

Cinnamon is known for its blood sugar-lowering properties. In addition to its positive effects on existing insulin resistance, cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels via several mechanisms. First, cinnamon has been shown to reduce the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a meal. Cinnamon does this by interfering with the activity of a number of digestive enzymes, which slows down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract (14, 15). Secondly, a compound found in cinnamon can mimic the action of insulin at the cellular level (16, 17). This can greatly increase glucose uptake by the body's cells, even though this compound acts much more slowly than insulin. Numerous human studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon and have shown that it can reduce fasting blood glucose levels by 10 to 29% (18, 19, 20). The effective dosage is typically between 1 and 6 grams or 0.5 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon per day.

Summary: Cinnamon has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose levels and to have antidiabetic effects at doses of 1 to 6 grams per day.

Cinnamon could have positive effects on neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a progressive loss of brain cell structure or function. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are the most common diseases of this type. Two compounds found in cinnamon appear to inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's (21, 22, 23). In a study of mice suffering from Parkinson's disease, cinnamon helped to protect neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels and improve motor function (24). However, these effects need to be further investigated in humans.

Summary: Animal studies have shown that cinnamon can lead to numerous improvements in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. However, corresponding human studies are still lacking.

Cinnamon could protect against cancer

Cancer is a serious disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Cinnamon has been extensively studied for its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment. To date, this research has been limited to test tube and animal studies suggesting that cinnamon extracts may protect against cancer (25, 26, 27, 28, 29). Cinnamon exerts these effects by reducing the growth of cancer cells and the formation of blood vessels in tumors. In addition, cinnamon appears to be toxic to cancer cells and lead to cancer cell death. These results were confirmed by experiments carried out in the reagent, which showed that cinnamon activates protective antioxidant reactions in human intestinal cells (31). However, whether cinnamon also has such an effect in living humans remains to be investigated in controlled studies.

Summary: Animal and test tube studies suggest that cinnamon may have protective effects against cancer.

Cinnamon helps fight bacteria and fungal infections

Cinnamaldehyde, one of the primary active ingredients in cinnamon, may help fight different types of infections. Cinnamon oil has been shown to be effective in treating respiratory infections caused by fungi. Cinnamon can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria including listeria and salmonella (32, 33). However, research on these effects is limited and cinnamon has not yet been shown to reduce infections in other areas of the body. The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath (34, 35).

Summary: Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties that may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath.

Cinnamon could help fight the HIV virus

HIV is a virus that gradually disables the immune system and, if left untreated, eventually leads to AIDS. Cinnamon extracted from cassia is believed to help fight HIV-1 - the most advanced strain of the HIV virus in humans (36, 37). A laboratory study looking at cells infected with HIV concluded that cinnamon was the most effective treatment of all 69 medicinal plants studied (38). However, further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Summary: Test-tube studies have shown that cinnamon can help fight HIV-1.

It is better to use Ceylon cinnamon - also known as "real" cinnamon

Not all cinnamon varieties are the same. The cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound known as coumarin, which is considered harmful in higher doses. While all cinnamon varieties have health benefits, cassia cinnamon could cause problems at higher doses due to its coumarin content. Scientific studies have concluded that Cassia cinnamon contains on average 63 times the amount of coumarin compared to Ceylon cinnamon (40). Ceylon cinnamon ('true' cinnamon) is much better in this respect and studies show that it contains significantly lower amounts of coumarin than the cassia variety (39). Unfortunately, most cinnamon available in supermarkets is the cheaper cassia variety.

Potential risks associated with higher amounts of coumarin contained in cassia cinnamon

Coumarin can cause liver damage

Several studies have found that consuming too much coumarin can cause liver damage (41, 42, 43). For example, a 73-year-old woman developed a sudden infection in her liver after taking cinnamon supplements for just one week (44). However, this case study involved cinnamon doses far higher than what is normally consumed in food alone.

Coumarin could increase the risk of cancer

Studies conducted with animals have shown that coumarin may increase the risk of certain types of cancer (41). For example, studies conducted with rodents concluded that consuming too much coumarin can cause the development of cancerous tumors in the lungs, liver and kidneys (45, 46, 47). The mechanism by which coumarin can cause cancer is not yet known. However, scientists believe that coumarin can cause damage to certain organs if ingested repeatedly. Over time, this damage could lead to healthy cells being replaced by tumor cells (48). Most of the research on the cancer-promoting effects of coumarin has been done on animals and more studies are needed to find out if this compound exists in humans.

Recommended intake

Since the use of cinnamon is a treatment method with unproven effects, there is no official dosage recommendation. Some sources recommend ½ to 1 teaspoon (2 to 4 grams) of cinnamon powder per day. Studies have used between 1 gram and 6 grams of cinnamon. Very high doses can be toxic. The latter applies mainly to cassia cinnamon and is related to its high coumarin content. The tolerable daily intake of coumarin is 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight (41). This corresponds to 0.5 to 2 grams or one teaspoon of cassia cinnamon per day. It should be borne in mind that these amounts apply to adults and that children tolerate significantly less.

Can cinnamon be consumed naturally through food?

Cinnamon is found in countless foods. When you buy cinnamon in the store as a spice, it can be one of two types or a mixture of both. It's either "true" cinnamon, also known as Ceylon cinnamon, which is easier to grind but less effective for diabetes, or, more likely, it's the darker cassia cinnamon.

Risks and side effects

Side effects

Cinnamon usually has no side effects. Using large amounts can irritate the mouth and lips and cause sores. In some people, eating too much cinnamon can cause irritation and ulcers around the mouth (49, 50, 51). This is due to the fact that these people are allergic to the cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon when consumed in large quantities. Small amounts of this compound do not appear to cause such a reaction, as saliva prevents these chemicals from remaining in contact with the oral mucosa for too long. Other symptoms of a cinnamic aldehyde allergy include swelling around the tongue or gums, a burning or itchy sensation and white patches around the mouth. These symptoms are not usually dangerous, but can be unpleasant (52).

Cinnamon, as mentioned earlier, can lower blood sugar levels, which is desirable in many cases. However, consuming too much cinnamon can cause an excessive drop in blood sugar levels in some people, which can lead to fatigue, drowsiness and, in extreme cases, fainting (53). This risk is particularly high in people who are taking medication to lower blood sugar levels due to diabetes. Eating too much cinnamon at once or inhaling cinnamon dust can cause coughing and breathing problems. These problems can be exacerbated by the fact that the cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon can irritate the airways and further aggravate breathing problems (54). People who suffer from asthma or other conditions that can affect breathing should be particularly careful in this regard.

Risks

Cinnamon appears to be safe for most people when taken orally up to 6 grams daily for a period of 6 weeks. Some people may have an allergic reaction to cinnamon or one of its components. Very large amounts of cinnamon can be toxic, especially to people who suffer from liver problems. Since cinnamon can lower blood sugar, diabetics may need to adjust their medication if they use cinnamon as a supplement. People suffering from cancers that are affected by hormones, such as breast cancer, should not take cinnamon. The ingredient coumarin, which is found in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems. Due to the lack of data regarding safety, cinnamon should not be taken as a supplement by children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of cinnamon cassia during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use cinnamon cassia to be on the safe side.

Diabetes: Cinnamon cassia can affect blood sugar levels in people who suffer from diabetes. Diabetics should watch for signs of low blood sugar levels and carefully monitor blood sugar levels when consuming larger amounts of cinnamon cassia than normally found in food.

Liver disorders: Cinnamon cassia contains some chemicals that can damage the liver. For this reason, people suffering from liver disease should not use cinnamon cassia in larger amounts than normally found in food.

Operations: Cinnamomum cassia may affect blood sugar levels and therefore potentially interfere with blood sugar control during surgery. It is therefore advisable to stop taking cinnamon cassia two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Are there any interactions with medication?

If you are taking medication, you should talk to your doctor before using cinnamon supplements. Cinnamon supplements may interact with antibiotics, diabetes medications, blood thinners, heart medications and other medications.

Cinnamon cassia should not be combined with the following medications:

Medications that can damage the liver

Taking very high doses of cinnamon cassia can damage the liver, particularly in people with existing liver disease. Taking large amounts of cinnamon cassia in combination with medicines that can also damage the liver (e.g. paracetamol, acetaminophen or statins) can increase the risk of liver damage. For this reason, cinnamon cassia should not be combined with such medicines in large quantities.

Care should be taken when combining cinnamon cassia with the following medications:

Diabetes medications

Cinnamon cassia could lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking cinnamon cassia in combination with diabetes medication could therefore result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, diabetics should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels while taking cinnamon cassia. The dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Are there any interactions with supplements and medicinal herbs?

Medicinal herbs and supplements that can damage the liver

There are some concerns that taking large amounts of cinnamon cassia could cause serious liver damage in some people, particularly those who suffer from liver disease. Taking cinnamon cassia with other products that can damage the liver could increase the risk of liver damage. Products that may damage the liver include creosote bush, comfrey, DHEA, gamander, kava, niacin, psyllium oil, red yeast and others.

Medicinal herbs and supplements that can lower blood sugar levels

Cinnamon cassia may lower blood sugar levels and taking it in combination with medicinal herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar levels may cause blood sugar levels to drop too low in some people. Medicinal herbs and supplements that may lower blood sugar levels include alpha lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng and others.

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Conclusion

Cinnamon is one of the most delicious and healthy spices on the planet. It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce risk factors for heart disease and has a host of other impressive health benefits. Although consuming small to moderate amounts of cinnamon is generally safe and harmless, consuming too much can cause side effects. This primarily applies to Cassia cinnamon as it contains large amounts of coumarin, which has been linked to diseases such as liver damage and cancer.

On the other hand, Ceylon cinnamon, also known as "true" cinnamon, contains only traces of coumarin and can therefore be consumed in larger quantities. Safe amounts are up to one teaspoon (0.5 to 2 grams) of Cassia cinnamon and up to 2.5 to 3 (5 to 6 grams) of Ceylon cinnamon per day. Although consuming too much cinnamon can have some disadvantages, cinnamon is a healthy spice that is safe and harmless in small to moderate amounts. Consuming less than the maximum tolerated amount is more than enough to reap the health benefits of cinnamon.

Cinnamon

Gluco Rapid GDA · 90 capsules