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How Much Cinnamon Is Too Much?


Q. I’ve heard that consuming too much cinnamon can be harmful, but what, exactly, is the acceptable limit? I eat two tablespoons on my cereal each morning just because I like the flavor and I don't need added sugar. Is that too much?

A. Some cinnamon (Chinese or cassia cinnamon) is contaminated with a natural compound called coumarin. In excess, this can harm the liver of sensitive individuals. Coumarin may also interact with blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) to increase the risk of bleeding.

Two tablespoons of cinnamon daily is a very big dose. You should have your liver enzymes checked when you see your doctor. People who use cinnamon to help lower blood sugar take one quarter to one half teaspoon before meals.

Unfortunately, cassia cinnamon is not labeled with the amount of coumarin it contains. This makes it hard for consumers to tell how much they are getting (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, online, Jan. 16, 2008).

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I read your article regarding eating cinnamon -- but what about taking the supplements -- how much is too much?

I have been taking coumadin for three years. Recently I started using cinnamon on my cereal and found that my INR was 3.5 instead of the usual 2.2 to 2.5
Question.

How much cinnamon will equal 1 mg. of coumadin?

Can I replace the coumadin with cinnamon?

I read your answer about the use of cinnamon for diabetics.You mentioned making water soluble cinnamon extract by pouring hot water over cinnamon in a coffee filter to extract the coumarin. What you did not say is how much cinnamon to put in the coffee filter. Please let me know as I would like to do this.

Hi! I eat cinnamon sticks all day long... approximately how tsps. does one stick equal and is this harmful to me?

Is it really harmful? Are there cinnamon sticks w/o coumarin? I am smoking cigarettes right now and, to quit, i'd want to replace my cancer sticks w/ cinnamon sticks... does anyone know any cinnamon sticks w/o coumarin or harmful effects?

I started taking cinnamon -500 mg several months ago. I recently increased it to 1000 mg. I have developed a very red & sensitive genital area.....Could it be from the cinnamon ??

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IT IS POSSIBLE. CINNAMON HAS NOT BEEN STUDIED SO CAREFULLY THAT ALL POSSIBLE REACTIONS ARE KNOWN. PLEASE DISCONTINUE AND SEE IF YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE.

I take 3 cups of water a 1tsp. cinnamon and 4 tbls honey bring to boil. Take 1/4 cup 3 times a day. I want to know it that is to much? I use powder cinnamon off the self.
Thank you

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IF YOU ARE STRAINING THE CINNAMON SOLIDS OUT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING TOO MUCH. BUT IF YOU ARE TAKING CINNAMON TO HELP LOWER BLOOD SUGAR, 4 TABLESPOONS OF HONEY MIGHT WELL BE ENOUGH TO UNDERMINE THAT.

i am taking warfrin, can i take cinnamon and honey? will it affect the inr?

I eat cinnamon powder in teaspoon fulls daily. I haven't experienced any side effects and I told my doctor about it. I crave it day and night. Does this mean my body is deficient in minerals?

I too wish to know exactly how many Cinnamon Supplement Caps is too much???? and also what are side effects, if any? I cannot find one one on line who has answered this question.

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I took 1 capsule (Spring Valley Cinnamon) for 5 months. I recently had lab work and my ALT and AST were elevated. I called the company originally to find out the ingredients in the product. Coumarin was not listed. I called back after the lab results, and they told me they do not have to list coumarin.

I would like to try taking cinnamon to help lower my blood sugar levels but don't want to take to much. I bought a bottle of cinnamon pills-2 capsules are 1,000mg-how many should i take a day? How many mgs in a day is too many?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IN ONE STUDY IN DIABETES CARE, THE DOSE TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL WAS 1 GRAM (1,000 MG) PER DAY.

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