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Cinnamon Extract
A polyphenol-rich spice extract containing cinnamaldehyde and procyanidins with neuroprotective properties - research shows improved hippocampal function, enhanced brain insulin sensitivity, and reduced neuroinflammation, with Ceylon cinnamon preferred for its lower coumarin content.
Benefits
What is Cinnamon Extract?
Cinnamon extract, derived from the bark of Cinnamomum species, has emerged as a surprisingly potent neuroprotective compound in recent years. The two main varieties - Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) - contain bioactive compounds including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic acid, and type-A procyanidins that exert measurable effects on brain function. Ceylon cinnamon is strongly preferred for supplementation due to its dramatically lower coumarin content (0.004% vs up to 1% in Cassia), which eliminates the hepatotoxicity risk associated with chronic high-dose Cassia consumption.
A groundbreaking 2016 study from Rush University Medical Center, published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology by Dhyaneshwar et al., demonstrated that sodium benzoate - a metabolite of cinnamon - converted poor-learning mice into good learners by upregulating CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) and BDNF in the hippocampus. The researchers found that poor learners had higher levels of the inhibitory protein GABRA5 and lower levels of the NMDA receptor subunit NR2A in the hippocampus, and that sodium benzoate normalised these differences. Additional research published in Pharmacological Research (2015) showed that cinnamon polyphenols inhibit tau aggregation and reduce amyloid-beta oligomerisation in vitro, mechanisms relevant to Alzheimer's disease prevention. The extract also improves cerebral insulin sensitivity, which is significant given the emerging understanding of Alzheimer's as "type 3 diabetes" - a condition characterised by brain insulin resistance.
- Sodium benzoate conversion: Cinnamon is metabolised to sodium benzoate in the liver, which crosses the blood-brain barrier and upregulates CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus, enhancing synaptic plasticity and memory formation
- Brain insulin sensitisation: Cinnamon polyphenols, particularly type-A procyanidins, enhance insulin receptor signalling in the brain, improving glucose utilisation by neurons and supporting energy-dependent cognitive processes
- Anti-neuroinflammatory action: Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol inhibit NF-kB activation and reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) in microglial cells, protecting against chronic neuroinflammation
- Tau and amyloid-beta inhibition: Cinnamon extract components, particularly cinnamaldehyde, inhibit tau protein aggregation and prevent formation of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers, both hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology
- Antioxidant neuroprotection: The high polyphenol content provides robust free radical scavenging, reducing oxidative stress in neuronal tissues and protecting against lipid peroxidation in cell membranes
- General cognitive support: 500-1,000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon extract per day, standardised to polyphenol content
- Enhanced neuroprotection: 1,000-2,000 mg per day of Ceylon cinnamon extract, divided into two doses with meals
- Blood sugar support (indirect cognitive benefit): 1,000-3,000 mg per day, which may improve brain glucose utilisation through improved systemic insulin sensitivity
- Ceylon vs Cassia: Always choose Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum) for supplementation. Cassia cinnamon contains up to 250 times more coumarin, which can cause liver damage at supplemental doses
- Timing: Take with meals for optimal absorption and to leverage the insulin-sensitising effects during postprandial glucose metabolism
- Coumarin content (Cassia): Cassia cinnamon contains significant coumarin (up to 1% by weight), which is hepatotoxic at high doses. The European Food Safety Authority sets the tolerable daily intake at 0.1 mg/kg body weight. Ceylon cinnamon has negligible coumarin
- Blood sugar effects: Cinnamon can lower blood glucose levels. Individuals taking diabetes medications or insulin should monitor blood sugar closely and consult a healthcare provider to avoid hypoglycaemia
- Blood thinning: Cinnamaldehyde has mild antiplatelet activity. Use caution if taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications such as warfarin or aspirin
- Allergic reactions: Cinnamaldehyde is a known contact allergen. Oral supplementation may cause mouth sores or irritation in sensitive individuals
- Pregnancy: Therapeutic doses of cinnamon extract are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects. Culinary amounts are considered safe
Natural Sources & Forms
- Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): The preferred species for supplementation, grown primarily in Sri Lanka. Available as bark powder, capsules, and standardised extracts
- Standardised extracts: Look for products standardised to type-A procyanidins or total polyphenol content, such as Cinnulin PF (water-soluble extract)
- Whole bark powder: Ground Ceylon cinnamon bark provides the full spectrum of bioactive compounds, though at lower concentrations than concentrated extracts
- Essential oil (topical only): Cinnamon bark essential oil is extremely concentrated and should never be ingested. For oral supplementation, use bark powder or standardised extracts only
- Identification tip: Ceylon cinnamon sticks have thin, layered bark with a tan colour. Cassia cinnamon has thick, single-layered bark with a darker reddish-brown colour
Frequently Asked Questions
A polyphenol-rich spice extract containing cinnamaldehyde and procyanidins with neuroprotective properties - research shows improved hippocampal function, enhanced brain insulin sensitivity, and reduced neuroinflammation, with Ceylon cinnamon preferred for its lower coumarin content.
The key benefits of Cinnamon Extract include: Cognitive Enhancement, Energy, Focus, Longevity, Memory, Mood.
Sodium benzoate conversion: Cinnamon is metabolised to sodium benzoate in the liver, which crosses the blood-brain barrier and upregulates CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus, enhancing synaptic plasticity and memory formation Brain insulin sensitisation: Cinnamon polyphenols, particularly type-A procyanidins, enhance insulin receptor signalling in the brain, improving glucose utilisation by neurons and supporting energy-dependent cognitive processes Anti-neuroinflammatory action: Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol inhibit NF-kB activation and reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) in microglial cells, protecting against chronic neuroinflammation Tau and amyloid-beta inhibition: Cinnamon extract components, particularly cinnamaldehyde, inhibit tau protein aggregation and prevent formation of toxic amyloid-beta oligomers, both hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology Antioxidant neuroprotection: The high polyphenol content provides robust free radical scavenging, reducing oxidative stress in neuronal tissues and protecting against lipid peroxidation in cell membranes
General cognitive support: 500-1,000 mg of Ceylon cinnamon extract per day, standardised to polyphenol content Enhanced neuroprotection: 1,000-2,000 mg per day of Ceylon cinnamon extract, divided into two doses with meals Blood sugar support (indirect cognitive benefit): 1,000-3,000 mg per day, which may improve brain glucose utilisation through improved systemic insulin sensitivity Ceylon vs Cassia: Always choose Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum) for supplementation. Cassia cinnamon contains up to 250 times more coumarin, which can cause liver damage at supplemental doses Timing: Take with meals for optimal absorption and to leverage the insulin-sensitising effects during postprandial glucose metabolism
Coumarin content (Cassia): Cassia cinnamon contains significant coumarin (up to 1% by weight), which is hepatotoxic at high doses. The European Food Safety Authority sets the tolerable daily intake at 0.1 mg/kg body weight. Ceylon cinnamon has negligible coumarin Blood sugar effects: Cinnamon can lower blood glucose levels. Individuals taking diabetes medications or insulin should monitor blood sugar closely and consult a healthcare provider to avoid hypoglycaemia Blood thinning: Cinnamaldehyde has mild antiplatelet activity. Use caution if taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications such as warfarin or aspirin Allergic reactions: Cinnamaldehyde is a known contact allergen. Oral supplementation may cause mouth sores or irritation in sensitive individuals Pregnancy: Therapeutic doses of cinnamon extract are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects. Culinary amounts are considered safe
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