Cinnamon with Chromium Picolinate

Chromium Picolinate and Cinnamon are two clinically-studied ingredients for support of sugar and fat metabolism. Chromium is involved with proper receptor functioning necessary for nutrient metabolism. In a lab study involving 50 different herbs and spices, Cinnamon was found to be the most bioactive ingredient tested. Orally, cassia cinnamon appears to be well-tolerated. No significant side effects have been reported in clinical trials

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Servings Per Container: 60

Amount Per Serving:

• Chromium picolinate (as Chromax Chromium Picolinate) 200 mcg
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)(bark) 1000 mg (1 g)

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Directions: For adults, take one (1) capsule daily, preferably with a meal or follow the advice of your health care professional. Capsules can be opened and the contents added to your favorite beverage or food. As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

Keep out of reach of children.
Store in a dry place and avoid excessive heat.
Tamper resistant: Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Free of yeast, wheat, milk or milk derivatives, lactose, sugar, preservatives, artificial color, artificial flavor, sodium (less than 5 mg per serving.).

Cassia Cinnamon:
For type 1 or type 2 diabetes, 1 to 6 grams (1 teaspoon = 4.75 grams) of cassia cinnamon daily for up to 4 months have been used safely. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

Chromium:
Chromium has been safely used in doses up to 1000 mcg/day for up to 6 months; however, most of these studies have used chromium doses in a range of 150-600 mcg.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) evaluations of the safety of chromium suggest that it is safe when used in doses of 200 mcg/day for up to 6 months; however, there is insufficient reliable information about the safety of long-term use. Chromium has been safely used in a small number of studies using doses of 200-1000 mcg/day for up to 16 months.

Caution:
LIVER DISEASE: There is some concern that ingesting large amounts of cassia cinnamon might cause hepatotoxicity in susceptible people. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin which can cause hepatotoxicity in animal models. Lower amounts cassia cinnamon might exacerbate liver function in people with existing liver disease.
SURGERY: Cassia cinnamon might affect blood glucose levels. Theoretically, cassia cinnamon might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgical procedures. Discontinue cassia cinnamon at least 2 weeks before elective surgical procedures.
Other Medications: Theoretically, concomitant use of cassia cinnamon with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage. Some of these drugs include acarbose (Precose, Prandase), amiodarone (Cordarone), atorvastatin (Lipitor), azathioprine (Imuran), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cerivastatin (Baycol), diclofenac (Voltaren), felbamate (Felbatol), fenofibrate (Tricor), fluvastatin (Lescol), gemfibrozil (Lopid), isoniazid, itraconazole, (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), leflunomide (Arava), lovastatin (Mevacor), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), nevirapine (Viramune), niacin, nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin), pioglitazone (Actos), pravastatin (Pravachol), pyrazinamide, rifampin (Rifadin), ritonavir (Norvir), rosiglitazone (Avandia), simvastatin (Zocor), tacrine (Cognex), tamoxifen, terbinafine (Lamisil), valproic acid, and zileuton (Zyflo).

Warning: Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. If you are taking any medications, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Cassia Cinnamon:
Polyphenolic polymers found in cassia cinnamon seem increase insulin sensitivity. Increased insulin sensitivity may improve blood glucose control and lipid levels. Cinnamon extracts also seem to increase glucose uptake into the cells.

Research in animal models suggests that cassia cinnamon stimulates a baseline insulin release, but does not seem to lower baseline glucose levels; however, during a glucose tolerance test, cassia cinnamon seems to stimulate insulin release and also significantly lowers blood glucose. Cassia cinnamon does not seem to lower blood glucose levels as much as the prescription drug glibenclamide. Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) does seem to have a greater insulin-stimulating effect than cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).

There are a lot of different types of cinnamon. Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) is the type used most commonly in the Western world. Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon) is also commonly used. In many cases, the cinnamon spice purchased in food stores contains a combination of these different types of cinnamon. So far, only cassia cinnamon has been shown to have any effect on blood glucose in humans. However, Cinnamomum verum also contains the hydroxychalcone polymer thought to be responsible for lowering blood sugar.

Chromium:
Discovery of the role of chromium in insulin function occurred when patients on long-term TPN developed symptoms of diabetes that did not respond to insulin, but were reversed by chromium. Because of the symptoms associated with chromium deficiency, researchers have speculated that chromium supplementation might be an effective treatment for diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. There is some evidence that patients with diabetes might have lower than normal levels of chromium due to increased chromium excretion. However, patients with diabetes also seem to have increased gastrointestinal absorption of chromium. It's also theorized that patients with diabetes may not be able to adequately convert chromium from the diet to a usable form in the body. It is suspected to potentiate insulin by increasing receptor numbers and affinity, and increasing insulin binding to cells. A single oral dose of chromium before a high carbohydrate meal seems to lessen postprandial hyperglycemia in healthy, young volunteers. This suggests chromium potentiates the effect of insulin.

Research:
Cassia Cinnamon:
Diabetes. There is contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of cassia cinnamon for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Initial clinical research showed that taking cassia cinnamon 1, 3, or 6 grams daily for 40 days lowered fasting serum glucose by 18% to 29%, triglycerides by 23% to 30%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 7% to 27%, and total cholesterol by 12% to 26% in patients with type 2 diabetes. Another clinical trial shows that patients taking a specific cinnamon product, 1 gram daily for 90 days significantly reduces hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by about 0.83%. However, three other clinical studies found no significant effect on blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, or triglycerides when cassia cinnamon was used in doses of 1-3 grams daily up to 4 months. A meta-analysis of cassia cinnamon studies suggests that overall taking cassia cinnamon does not significantly reduce fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, or lipid levels in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. More evidence is needed to rate cassia cinnamon for this use.

Chromium Picolinate:
Diabetes. Some evidence shows that taking chromium picolinate orally can decrease fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and increase insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. Some evidence also suggests that chromium picolinate might decrease weight gain and fat accumulation in type 2 diabetes patients who are taking a sulfonylurea.

Higher chromium doses might be more effective and work more quickly. Higher doses might also reduce triglyceride and total serum cholesterol levels in some patients.

Preliminary evidence also suggest that chromium picolinate might have the same benefits in patients with type 1 diabetes and in patients who have diabetes secondary to corticosteroid use.

There is speculation that chromium supplements might primarily benefit patients with poor nutritional status or low chromium levels. Chromium levels can be below normal in patients with diabetes.