Cinnamon Extract
Doctor's Best Best Cinnamon Extract is Cinnulin PF a patent pending, water-soluble extract of Cinnamon (species Cinnamomum burmannii) that contains Type-A polymers. Cinnulin PF is a proprietary product of Integrity Nutraceuticals International.
Cinnamon, one of the world's favorite spices, is a medicinal herb with more than 4,000 years of traditional use. Recent research has revealed that constituents in cinnamon bark called procyanidin Type-A polymers help maintain the body's ability to metabolize glucose in a healthy way.
- Science-based nutrition
- Dietary supplement
- Use as part of your diet to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level
In Vitro and Animal Studies
Research has revealed that a number of herbs and spices have insulin-like activity. In a study published in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), cinnamon demonstrated the greatest ability to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism among 49 botanicals tested.
In a 2001 study, researchers at the USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center showed that bioactive compounds in cinnamon trigger an insulin-like response in fat cells. These compounds stimulated glucose uptake into cells and increased glycogen (stored glucose) production via activation of the enzyme, glycogen synthase.
The bioactive compounds in cinnamon appear to potentiate insulin activity at the level of the cell receptor for insulin. It has been shown that insulin resistance involves downregulation of "insulin signaling" characterized by dephosphorylation of the receptor. Enzymes called "protein tyrosine kinases" (PTPases) are believed to decrease receptor phosphorylation, and increased PTPase activity has been observed in insulin resistant rats. Cinnamon compounds have demonstrated the in vitro ability to inhibit PTP-1 and increase autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor.
In a recent animal study, cinnamon (cassia) extract was administered to rats for three weeks. Following this, the rats were infused with insulin and glucose to assess their insulin response. Increased phosphorylation of the insulin receptor was observed in skeletal muscle of these rats, suggesting that cinnamon has the ability to potentiate insulin function by normalizing insulin signaling, leading to improved uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle.
Until recently, the precise molecular structure of the bioactive compounds in cinnamon had not been clearly defined. The USDA has now determined that the bioactive compounds in cinnamon are water-soluble procyanidin Type-A polymers of catechin and epicatechin. In a 2004 study, type-A polymers were isolated from cinnamon and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. Type-A polymers were found to increase in vitro insulin activity by a factor of 20. Type-A polymers also exhibited antioxidant activity, as measured by inhibition of free radical production in platelets. These results suggest that, in addition to regulating glucose metabolism, cinnamon may help protect cell membranes by controlling the lipid peroxidation associated with disruptions in insulin function.
Human Clinical Trial
Cinnamon is known to possess blood sugar supportive effects when used as a component of the diet. Cinnulin PF, of course, is an extract of cinnamon that contains high levels of Type A polymers. Because of its standardization, Cinnulin PF is more potent than regular culinary cinnamon and is safer. Studies conducted using straight cinnamon, however, provide important insight into the overall beneficial effects of this herb.
For example, a randomized, placebo-controlled human trial was conducted in which the effect of cinnamon on glucose and blood lipid levels was assessed. A total of 60 subjects were divided into six groups administered 1, 3, or 6 grams of whole cinnamon powder daily, in 500 mg capsules, or equal numbers of placebo capsules. The cinnamon or placebo capsules were consumed for two periods of 20 days each. Serum biomarkers were measured after 20 days, 40 days and again at the end of a 20-day wash-out period, during which neither cinnamon nor placebo was consumed.
In combination with dietary practices, cinnamon at three different doses showed significant support in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. The placebo groups showed no significant changes. Cinnamon was also shown to enhance the ability to maintain healthy blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol that are already in the normal range. The overall results of this trial demonstrate that cinnamon helps maintain healthy blood glucose and lipid levels with a daily intake of as little as 1 gram of whole cinnamon powder, and that this low dose may be just as useful as the higher doses of 3 and 6 grams. Since Cinnulin PF is an extract of cinnamon, lower doses of this unique extract have been shown to have similar effects.
A twelve-week study published in 2006, for instance, found that Cinnulin PF enhanced blood sugar control and moderately supported blood pressure levels that were already within the normal range. The study involved twenty-two volunteers who were supplemented with either Cinnulin PF or placebo daily for twelve weeks. The Cinnulin PF group received a dose of 500 mg daily. In addition to helping maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels, the group consuming Cinnulin PF also exhibited decreased overall body fat. Thus, Cinnulin PF appears to be a useful and safe product for reaping the benefits of cinnamon supplementation.
The overall results of this trial demonstrate that cinnamon exerts a beneficial effect on blood glucose and lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes, at daily intakes of 1 gram, and that this low dose is equally efficacious as are the higher doses of 3 and 6 grams.
About Doctor's Best
Doctor's Best produces products with the highest quality raw materials available on the market. They have direct control over and are an integral part of every aspect of product production, from formulation and raw material sourcing to finished product manufacturing. We directly purchase all active ingredients used in our products and use only the highest quality ingredients.
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