There are a lot of advertised ways to help lose weight and curb hunger and one of the most prominent is the cinnamon supplement. While many dietary supplements have been deemed as fraudulent by the Food and Drug Administration, there is some truth behind the promise of cinnamon supplements.
The Mental and Physical Benefits of a Cinnamon Supplement
The best thing we can say about cinnamon supplements is that they’ve been proved to have an impact on blood sugar levels that control our hunger cravings. Cinnamon has been the subject of much research and it is believed that it could actually mimic insulin, act as an antioxidant and lead to an increase in body muscle.
A water soluble cinnamon extract used as a daily supplement can lead in a reduction of overall body fat in addition to its antioxidant capabilities. This is done by regulating the sugar levels in your blood which are the main reason you get hunger cravings. Removing cravings reduces over-eating which leads to natural and healthy weight loss.
While it is a good idea to use cinnamon as a spice for your food there are also some warning signs raised by one of its components named coumarin. It is believed that this substance can become toxic if consumed regularly or in very high doses. The best way to avoid consuming it is to use a cinnamon supplement made from an extract that has coumarin removed. An example of such aproduct is Cinnulin PF which is a proprietary water-soluble extract.
The mental benefits of using a cinnamon supplement could be just as important as the physical ones. Over-eating or hunger cravings are also caused by emotional states and the feeling that we need to eat. Using any type of supplement can help us deal with diminishing the urge to snack and nibbling food in between meals.
Demonstrated and Potential Side-Effects
Coumarin is present in many plants, including cinnamon plants and is considered toxic in very large doses. If you are not using an extract that has this constituent removed then you should seek the advice of your physician or nutritionist. You should immediately stop using any cinnamon plant or oil drops if you’re experiencing any of these side-effects and consult a professional.
The demonstrated side effects of using cinnamon on a routine base are increased heart rate, inflammation of the mouth or airway, difficulty in breathing, an upset stomach, diarrhea and some allergic reactions. All of these side effects are a rare occurrence and are more likely to affect persons with certain sensitivities. If you suffer from allergic reactions to pollen or any plants you should probably consult your physician before using these supplements.
The potential side effects of cinnamon supplements occur only when they are used improperly or in combination with other herbs and medication. People that are suffering from high blood pressure, fever or bleeding disorders should avoid using these supplements. Cinnamon can also potentially induce light headaches, dizziness and flushing of the face.
We often think of natural remedies as the safest medicine with no side effects. Because cinnamon comes from a plant that grows in nature it’s easy to label it as natural and move on. In reality not everything natural is safe. The same way you wouldn’t eat any random plant, you shouldn’t consider cinnamon completely safe. That being said, cinnamon has been proved to have positive effects on a human body.
The Bottom Line
Cinnamon has been used from ancient times and has a lot of benefits that outweigh the side effects. Using an extract such as Cinnulin PF is likely to help you curb hunger cravings by reducing the levels of sugar in your blood. Cinnamon has also been proven to lower cholesterol and have benefits in patients suffering of type II diabetes.
If you’re going to use cinnamon then avoid dealing with the plant or oil drops and go for the supplements sold commercially. Make sure they are certified and have been tested to provide no harmful reactions or side effects. You should also use a healthy diet in combinations with taking a cinnamon supplement in order to achieve the best weight losing results.
