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Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Cinnamon Supplements May Reduce Effectiveness of Medications, Study Finds
That sprinkle of cinnamon in your coffee or oatmeal? Probably harmless. But taken as a supplement, it could change how your body processes prescription drugs, new research suggests. Cinnamaldehyde, the compound behind cinnamon's signature flavor and scent, can interfere with how the body processes medications. The recent study on human liver and gut cells found that at high concentrations, the compound may speed up drug metabolism, clearing medications before they can take full effect. 'Cinnamaldehyde has a low to moderate potential for drug interactions based upon our preliminary in vitro studies,' co-author of the study Bill Gurley, who is a principal scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research, told The Epoch Times in an email. What Researchers Discovered In a At concentrations above 270 micrograms per milliliter, which would be reached only through taking high-dose supplements, cinnamaldehyde activated these receptors, acting like gatekeepers, telling the body how quickly to break down and eliminate medications. Researchers say that this could be a concern for people taking certain medications—particularly drugs metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP1A2, such as some blood thinners, diabetes drugs, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. 'Cinnamon and cinnamon-based supplements are quite safe when used in moderation,' Gurley said. 'The likelihood that cinnamaldehyde poses any risk for clinically relevant drug interactions is quite low.' Related Stories 5/11/2025 11/19/2024 The researchers found no changes in PXR activity at lower levels of cinnamaldehyde (up to 20 micrograms per milliliter), suggesting that everyday use—like those typically used in cooking—is unlikely to be a problem. Even in a 'It is okay to consume cinnamon in food or take it as a supplement in moderation,' Shabana Khan, a principal scientist at the university's National Center for Natural Products Research and co-author of the study, told The Epoch Times in an email. Health concerns, however, can arise when supplements are used in high doses or for long periods—especially without a doctor's knowledge. Some people take 'It's difficult to define how much is too much since different preparations or products / supplements will have different quantities or vary in composition,' she said. 'It should be used in moderation.' Know Your Cinnamon Cinnamon is used in several forms, each with varying levels of risk. Ground cinnamon, the kind you likely have in your spice rack, is used in cooking and baking, and up to a teaspoon is considered safe. Cinnamon oil, often used in foods and personal care products, poses little risk in small amounts. However, supplements, which can contain anywhere from 500 to 1,000 milligrams per dose, can be more concentrated and potentially interfere with medications when taken regularly. Most cinnamon sold in U.S. stores is Labels don't always list the type of cinnamon used; unless otherwise stated, it's mostly like going to be cassia. You can also contact the manufacturer for clarification, especially if you are taking cinnamon in supplement form. Apart from cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon also contains coumarin, a naturally occurring blood thinner. 'Cassia cinnamon, often sourced from regions like Southern China, contains significantly higher levels of coumarin and is a potent blood thinner compared to true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) from Sri Lanka,' study co-author Amar Chittiboyina, associate director at the National Center for Natural Products Research, told The Epoch Times in an email. True cinnamon or 'We strongly advise individuals currently taking blood thinners who are considering incorporating cinnamon into their daily routine to consult with their primary healthcare physician,' Chittiboyina said. Still, researchers say that when used appropriately, cinnamon may offer benefits. A 2022 scientific But as with many natural compounds, the benefits may depend on the dose, the form, and how it's used. Other Competing Foods and Herbs Cinnamon isn't the only natural ingredient that can interact with medications. Common foods and herbs can affect how drugs are absorbed or broken down—something to keep in mind if you take medication regularly. For example, grapefruit can block like warfarin. Dairy products can reduce the absorption of some antibiotics, making them less effective. Several herbs and supplements have also been linked to well-documented drug interactions, according to Gurley. St. John's Wort, often used for mild depression, can reduce the effectiveness of medications like antidepressants, birth control pills, and antivirals by speeding up liver enzyme activity. Goldenseal may slow down drug metabolism of certain statins, antihistamines, and sedatives, increasing drug levels in the body. And licorice root—unless it's had the glycyrrhizin compound removed—can raise blood pressure and interfere with blood pressure medications. 'Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with prescription medicine,' Khan said.
Fox News
12-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Common household spice may interfere with medicines, study suggests
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in food and drinks. It's also used as a supplement for its claims of helping to reduce inflammation and manage blood sugar and cardiovascular health. Despite its flavorful and potential health benefits, a recent study suggested cinnamon may pose a health risk in some individuals taking certain medications, according to a report in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences. "Controlled ingestion of cinnamon-containing foods or supplements may have beneficial effects, but overconsumption could induce PXR (pregnane X receptor) or AhR-dependent (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) herb-drug interactions, which can bring deleterious effects on human health, particularly in individuals with chronic health conditions," University of Mississippi researchers said in the study. The main component of cinnamon – called cinnamaldehyde – activates receptors in the body that metabolize medication, the authors said. But consuming it in large quantities may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines. "Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective," said Shabana Khan, one of the study authors from the National Center for Natural Products Research in Mississippi. The health risk may depend on the type of cinnamon ingested. Cinnamon bark, especially cassia cinnamon, contains a high level of a blood thinner called coumarin, the report said. "Coumarin's anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners," said Amar Chittiboyina, the center's associate director and one of the study authors. "In contrast, true cinnamon from Sri Lanka carries a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content." Elaena Quattrocchi, a pharmacist and associate professor of pharmacy practice at Long Island University in New York, told Fox News Digital that "consuming half to 1 teaspoon of cassia cinnamon powder or 2.5 teaspoons of eylon cinnamon daily is considered safe for most adults." But Quattrocchi, who was not affiliated with the study, warned that coumarin can cause liver damage with excessive use. People with pre-existing liver conditions should speak with their healthcare providers before consuming cinnamon. Cinnamon oil, used in food and drinks and topically as an antifungal or antibacterial, presents almost "no risk of herb-drug interactions," Chittiboyina said, according to the report. Individuals with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity or depression "should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements," said Khan. Although sprinkling cinnamon on your coffee is "unlikely to cause an issue, using highly concentrated cinnamon as a dietary supplement might," the study said. Researchers acknowledged that more analysis is needed to investigate herb-drug interactions with cinnamon and its role in the human body. For more Lifestyle articles, visit "We know there's a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions … but we won't know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study," co-author Bill Gurley said in the release. Khan said before using any supplements with prescribed medication, people should talk to their healthcare providers.
