Is anyone taking cinnamon supplements to treat PCOS?

Iwillshyne
Iwillshyne Posts: 245
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I have PCOS since I was a teen. But wasn't properly diagnosed til 2004. I've gained a massive amount of weight over the years and is now making strides to get healthy and get in shape. I am having a very hard time lossing little to no weight at all. Since this June I've been working out 4-5x a week (cardio and strength), sometimes twice a day. I eat a very low-carb, high protein diet and drink nothing but water and had only lost 13 pounds. That maybe a lot for some but I feel as hard as I'm pushing I should be lossing more. I know it's the PCOS that's holding me back, but I can't find a doctor that knows enough to help me get on track. So I've been on my own with research. I recently read that cinnamon help charge the metabolism and help with weight lost.
Is this true? How does it work? What's an effective amount? Pills or powder, which is better?

Thx in adv!
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Replies

  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Interesting. I don't think I've heard that. Bumping to see what others say.


    I will say that losing with PCOS has been pretty easy since I cut back carbs. I lots 5 lbs the first week I did that!
  • RachelT14
    RachelT14 Posts: 266 Member
    I dont know about the cinamon but i also have PCOS and i have lost 10 1/2lbs since the start of July so a simillar amount to you. I have decided it doesnt matter how much others loose of how fast, i am finally loosing and thats all that counts and it is slow and steady weight loss which is good.

    Would be interested to see what others say about the supplements though.
  • aunt_hbomb
    aunt_hbomb Posts: 204
    I don't have PCOS but I am taking cinnamon for my Type 2 diabetes. I go back to the doctor in about 2 weeks so I know more then if has been helping me out.
  • jennajava
    jennajava Posts: 2,176 Member
    It doesn't work. I had to try tons of birth control, and finally yasmin worked for me. when i was trying to get prego, glucophage also helped control it. now i have a mirena, and the progesterone in it works too. i'm all about natural stuff, but for me, it just didn't work.
  • Frappuzzino
    Frappuzzino Posts: 342 Member
    I've been taking Cinnamon supplements since last August. Cinnamon is mainly meant to help your metabolism digest carbs and sugars better, which is why it helps PCOS/insulin resistance. I did notice alot of the sugar and carb cravings went away after the first week, which really helps alot of people. It's great for IR and diabetes. I take Cinnamon in place of Metformin. :)

    I take the pill form. 1000mg of Cinnamon + Chormium daily. Do not expect your weight to fall off just from taking Cinnamon. It WILL help your metabolism which will lead to better weight loss, but it is not a weight loss supplement, so do not take it for that. Take it to help your IR.
  • netchik
    netchik Posts: 587 Member
    Yes. Definitely. Plenty of studies about it. Tablets will give you a higher potency.
  • sarahmaryfearnley
    sarahmaryfearnley Posts: 366 Member
    I don't know what PCOS is but my Dr recommended cinnamon suppliments this past spring. I don't know if it really makes a difference bc I have been eating right and exercising but I am loosing so I continue to take it. It's super cheap compared to other supplements and I have not read anything about harmful side effects.

    I take (on Dr's recommendation) 2000mg a day in gell caps. He did say you can swallow a tbsp of powder if you want but the pills are way easier to get down. He also said don't worry if it has chromium in it or not. If it does, it's a small amt and is not harmful.
  • LadyoftheDisc
    LadyoftheDisc Posts: 136 Member
    I have had PCOS for over 13 years. I had great success losing the first 30lbs since starting MFP by just counting calories and working out 3-5 days a week but hit a plateau last month. I decided to do some research on weight loss with PCOS and here are a few tips I found and have implemented into my own routine and has got me losing again, it might help others! (and I may look into cinnamon supplements as well!)

    - I take a multivitamin everyday - currently taking Women's One a Day with metabolism support.
    - I have split my meals into 4-6 'mini meals'.
    - No more soda, at all, and lots more water.
    - I eat more fiber, fresh fruit and whole grains.

    I still get cravings every once in a while for sweets, especially on my period. I have found that a few pieces of dark chocolate does the trick, I eat them slowly and my craving gets satisfied plus I get to eat chocolate!!! :)
  • LadyoftheDisc
    LadyoftheDisc Posts: 136 Member
    I don't know what PCOS is but my Dr recommended cinnamon suppliments this past spring. I don't know if it really makes a difference bc I have been eating right and exercising but I am loosing so I continue to take it. It's super cheap compared to other supplements and I have not read anything about harmful side effects.

    I take (on Dr's recommendation) 2000mg a day in gell caps. He did say you can swallow a tbsp of powder if you want but the pills are way easier to get down. He also said don't worry if it has chromium in it or not. If it does, it's a small amt and is not harmful.


    PCOS stands for Polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • 42hockeymom
    42hockeymom Posts: 521 Member
    I take cinnamon only for the benefit that it keeps blood sugar at a steadier level for longer. I know that has been proven. I don't take it as a weight loss supplement though. So can't help you on the other stuff.
  • jennifer2977
    jennifer2977 Posts: 156
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.
  • Iwillshyne
    Iwillshyne Posts: 245
    Thx guys. I guess I wasn't clear in my post. I don't wanna use it as a weight lost supplement.. I'm not looking for any short cuts (diet suppements, pills, ect)
    In my research I read that cinnamon was a great sub to Metformin which is used to treat PCOS and Type 2 Diabetes ---Insulin Resistant.

    I just wanna hear from those who have tried it. Does it work or not??
    That is all... Thx a bunch!!!
  • Iwillshyne
    Iwillshyne Posts: 245
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.

    Hi,
    Forgive my ignorance but what's a Endocrinologist??
  • Iwillshyne
    Iwillshyne Posts: 245
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.

    Hi,
    Forgive my ignorance but what's a Endocrinologist??


    Nevermind. I looked it up ;o) to answer you question: no. Didn't know much about diabetes. But thx!
  • sheisbrown
    sheisbrown Posts: 171 Member
    Cinnamon did not work for me- but I have a "severe form of PCOS" (as my doctor put it) so I use metformin which has worked well for me. Seems like it works for some folks and maybe not so much for others. I think you just have to try it, work with your dr and see what happens.
  • Mrswilko
    Mrswilko Posts: 26
    I've never heard of taking cinnamon for PCOS but I might look into it... I'm happy to take anything to aid in my quest to help loose weight - obviously realising though it's so hard to do and won't go away quickly! :(

    I am on metformin 2g daily and i think it's helped my weight loss. (but that might just be from the side effects!)

    Here in the UK metformin is not licensed to 'treat' PCOS but is very widely used - how are things in the US regarding it's use?
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    I have had PCOS for 22 yrs. I used to be on Metformin and always sick from it. I came off of it and joined this sight. I also take cinnamon everyday. Its benefits are geared mainly to insulin resistance. I take a tsp everyday mixed in peanut butter. I also Started a multi vit, eat low carb, take fish oil 2x a day and am on BCpills, exercise 6 days a wk and I feel terrific. Better than I ever did on Met. Good luck
  • Lisa_222
    Lisa_222 Posts: 301 Member
    Drugs can be used off label for things such as this and metformin is widely used here for PCOS. I think cinnamon is supposed to lower blood sugar, but I visit a diabetic forum and most people there say the difference in their readings is so slight, it's hardly worth the effort. They get a better dip in their blood sugar by drinking a glass of wine before bed.
  • sheisbrown
    sheisbrown Posts: 171 Member
    I used to have a really bad reaction to metformin until I started using the metformin extended release pills. I tolerate it much better and now expeience very little if any side effects.
  • jennifer2977
    jennifer2977 Posts: 156
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.

    Hi,
    Forgive my ignorance but what's a Endocrinologist??


    Nevermind. I looked it up ;o) to answer you question: no. Didn't know much about diabetes. But thx!


    No, I d on't take it for diabetes (although they treat that as well). The metformin (althought it can be a diabetic med) is used to help the insulin resistance. Endocrinologists basically specialize in the adrenal system, hormones, metabolism, and glands, all which are affected by the PCOS. They go a bit more in depth than a family practioner or OB/GYN. Mine has all of my hormones balanced out now. Look into it, it has helped me a ton!
  • jennifer2977
    jennifer2977 Posts: 156
    I've never heard of taking cinnamon for PCOS but I might look into it... I'm happy to take anything to aid in my quest to help loose weight - obviously realising though it's so hard to do and won't go away quickly! :(

    I am on metformin 2g daily and i think it's helped my weight loss. (but that might just be from the side effects!)

    Here in the UK metformin is not licensed to 'treat' PCOS but is very widely used - how are things in the US regarding it's use?


    It is also used as a diabetic med here, but a lot of doctors are using it to treat PCOS as well. I've been on it for several years. Amen to the side effects helping! LOL
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I have PCOS since I was a teen. But wasn't properly diagnosed til 2004. I've gained a massive amount of weight over the years and is now making strides to get healthy and get in shape. I am having a very hard time lossing little to no weight at all. Since this June I've been working out 4-5x a week (cardio and strength), sometimes twice a day. I eat a very low-carb, high protein diet and drink nothing but water and had only lost 13 pounds. That maybe a lot for some but I feel as hard as I'm pushing I should be lossing more. I know it's the PCOS that's holding me back, but I can't find a doctor that knows enough to help me get on track. So I've been on my own with research. I recently read that cinnamon help charge the metabolism and help with weight lost.
    Is this true? How does it work? What's an effective amount? Pills or powder, which is better?

    Thx in adv!

    Speaking from experience here...............lifelong PCOS (my TOM has always been erratic and irregular since 9) and was not properly diagnosed until 2003, so 21 years until I was diagnosed.

    I have found that tweaking 2 things may help you get the weight off and get the symptoms to improve or completely go away.

    1. Do very little cardio, focus more on strength training. The reason for this is along with insulin resistance and the other hormone issues that come with PCOS is high cortisol. High cortisol will keep you from losing weight and doing a lot of cardio contributes to high cortisol.

    2. Tweak your eating to be more High FAT, moderate on the protein and keep carbs low.

    Also look into Vitex and Black Cohosh for treating PCOS symptoms. I have ordered the supplements, but have not received them yet.
  • Iwillshyne
    Iwillshyne Posts: 245
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.

    Hi,
    Forgive my ignorance but what's a Endocrinologist??


    Nevermind. I looked it up ;o) to answer you question: no. Didn't know much about diabetes. But thx!


    No, I d on't take it for diabetes (although they treat that as well). The metformin (althought it can be a diabetic med) is used to help the insulin resistance. Endocrinologists basically specialize in the adrenal system, hormones, metabolism, and glands, all which are affected by the PCOS. They go a bit more in depth than a family practioner or OB/GYN. Mine has all of my hormones balanced out now. Look into it, it has helped me a ton!


    Ahhh, this may explain why I have had little to no success with GYN's and PCOS. I will mos def take your advise and look in to an Endo Doc. Thx so much!
  • Iwillshyne
    Iwillshyne Posts: 245
    I have PCOS too. Have you seen an endocrinologist? My GP and OB/GYN both referred me to one for the PCOS.

    I see one every four months and he has me on Glucophage/Metformin. Once you get past learning what you can eat to prevent side effects and your hormone levels blanace out, it's much easier for the weight to come off.

    Hi,
    Forgive my ignorance but what's a Endocrinologist??


    Nevermind. I looked it up ;o) to answer you question: no. Didn't know much about diabetes. But thx!


    No, I d on't take it for diabetes (although they treat that as well). The metformin (althought it can be a diabetic med) is used to help the insulin resistance. Endocrinologists basically specialize in the adrenal system, hormones, metabolism, and glands, all which are affected by the PCOS. They go a bit more in depth than a family practioner or OB/GYN. Mine has all of my hormones balanced out now. Look into it, it has helped me a ton!


    Ahhh, this may explain why I have had little to no success with GYN's and PCOS. I will mos def take your advise and look in to an Endo Doc. Thx so much!

    ...Make me wonder why my GYN never meantioned seeing an Endo Doctor tho..hmmm???
  • salimahb2001
    salimahb2001 Posts: 1
    Hello, I also have PCOS and I just saw that someone told you to see an endocrinologist and they have helped me. Also because you have PCOS your primary care doctor can refer you to an Dietitian. That also help me be accountable for what I was eating. hope this helps good luck.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    From what i have seen from going from Doctor to Doctor until I found one that would listen to me is that most of the OB/GYN's feel that PCOS is more of a reproductive issue than a endocrine issue. Therefore if you don't press the issue of going to see an Endocrinologist they will never refer you.

    I was blessed once I got diagnosed that my GYN referred me over to a Reproductive Endocrinologist - and she was heavy into treating naturally - not with birth control pills and Metformin. She told me that these 2 drugs end up causing far more issues in the long run.

    I believe that it is the lack of understanding that the 2 systems are directly tied together as to why so many women and girls don't get referred.
  • Frappuzzino
    Frappuzzino Posts: 342 Member
    Drugs can be used off label for things such as this and metformin is widely used here for PCOS. I think cinnamon is supposed to lower blood sugar, but I visit a diabetic forum and most people there say the difference in their readings is so slight, it's hardly worth the effort. They get a better dip in their blood sugar by drinking a glass of wine before bed.

    I believe Cinnamon, just like any herb/spice and natural supplement, is meant to be used over a long period of time to show the biggest effects. :) Sometimes herbs/spices and natural supplements do not show immediate or big results right away, so people think they don't work or aren't worth it. Sometimes it can take up to 6 weeks to experience the effects of taking a natural supplement. :)
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    http://theprimalparent.com/2011/07/07/an-unconventional-approach-to-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/

    I have heard that cinnamon is good for blood sugar control. But I haven't done any research on it...yet.
  • jpaden
    jpaden Posts: 21
    This is slightly off topic but I saw that you are doing the low carb diet, you may want to look into the low glycemic index for Insulin Resistance. But its a lifestyle not a weight loss choice if you have PCOS. I know, I am right there with you. Thanks for the heads up on the cinnamon supplements. I knew it was used for folks with diabetes, I should have thought about it for my PCOS as well!
  • ACEgirl1
    ACEgirl1 Posts: 133 Member
    I just wanted to say, Metformin: Yuck!

    Good luck with your weight loss
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