Metformin and cinnamon

[crys20]

Maybe this question has already been asked but I'm having a hard time finding an answer. Is it safe to take cinnamon along with Metformin?

[RedReba]

I would be really careful cause they both efect insulin and if you get low sugars it can be dangerous. I am sure some one can tell you better about why, but I would be really careful.

[Vero]

I agree, be careful!! Also, take into account that if you are TTC, you can continue taking Metformin after you get your BFP to reduce the risk of m/c BUT you CANNOT take Cinnamon while pregnant... so you'll have to cut it cold turkey HTH

BTW, when I said "avoid cinnamon while pregnant", I meant the capsules ;) you can still eat cinnamon rolls, sprinkle it in your oatmeal, etc :D

[crys20]

Thanks for your responses! I guess I'll skip the cinnamon for awhile since we are TTC and it doesn't sound like it is the best idea to mix the metformin and cinnamon. Thanks again!

[sweetsunshine72]

Metformin and Cinnamon work in two completely different ways to help improve Insulin Resistance.

Metformin helps the "gates" in your cells that allow the insulin/glucose mix to enter work better. It also slows down how quickly your liver takes glycogen (temporary sugar storage) and turns it back into blood glucose between meals. So, with Met, it doesn't directly give you low blood sugar, but you do need to eat frequently (which we all should be doing anyways).

Cinnamon also helps the "gates" work better, and both Met and Cinnamon help the cells create more gates, too. Cinnamon also can help transport sugar into the cells (almost like it pretends to be insulin a little bit). This can give you low blood sugar, depending on how sensitive you are to it. Most Cinnamon products (including that used in baking) also contain a little bit of blood thinner (Cumarin?). Not much, but enough that you need to limit how much Cinnamon you take to 1,000 mg/day or less, just in case. If you stick to using the spice (like what you use in baking) and just sprinkle some on your morning cereal, then you should be more than OK as you will get over-powered by the taste before it reaches high levels!

Cinnamon is actually listed as Generally Considered to be Safe, so, as long as you don't start popping capsules (that's where you can get the higher dosages), there shouldn't be a problem. After all, there are no warnings for pregnant women to avoid cinnamon rolls, etc.! If you are concerned, then double-check with your doctor. It is perfectly fine to combine Met and Cinnamon, too, although I would adjust to one first, then add the other so that if you do have a reaction, you know which one is doing it.

Take care, and HTH!!!

(aka, "The Cinnamon Queen" :p)