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Common household spice may interfere with medicines, study suggests

Common household spice may interfere with medicines, study suggests

Fox News12-05-2025
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in food and drinks. It's also used as a supplement for its claims of helping to reduce inflammation and manage blood sugar and cardiovascular health.
Despite its flavorful and potential health benefits, a recent study suggested cinnamon may pose a health risk in some individuals taking certain medications, according to a report in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences.
"Controlled ingestion of cinnamon-containing foods or supplements may have beneficial effects, but overconsumption could induce PXR (pregnane X receptor) or AhR-dependent (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) herb-drug interactions, which can bring deleterious effects on human health, particularly in individuals with chronic health conditions," University of Mississippi researchers said in the study.
The main component of cinnamon – called cinnamaldehyde – activates receptors in the body that metabolize medication, the authors said.
But consuming it in large quantities may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines.
"Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective," said Shabana Khan, one of the study authors from the National Center for Natural Products Research in Mississippi.
The health risk may depend on the type of cinnamon ingested.
Cinnamon bark, especially cassia cinnamon, contains a high level of a blood thinner called coumarin, the report said.
"Coumarin's anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners," said Amar Chittiboyina, the center's associate director and one of the study authors.
"In contrast, true cinnamon from Sri Lanka carries a lower risk due to its reduced coumarin content."
Elaena Quattrocchi, a pharmacist and associate professor of pharmacy practice at Long Island University in New York, told Fox News Digital that "consuming half to 1 teaspoon of cassia cinnamon powder or 2.5 teaspoons of eylon cinnamon daily is considered safe for most adults."
But Quattrocchi, who was not affiliated with the study, warned that coumarin can cause liver damage with excessive use.
People with pre-existing liver conditions should speak with their healthcare providers before consuming cinnamon.
Cinnamon oil, used in food and drinks and topically as an antifungal or antibacterial, presents almost "no risk of herb-drug interactions," Chittiboyina said, according to the report.
Individuals with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity or depression "should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements," said Khan.
Although sprinkling cinnamon on your coffee is "unlikely to cause an issue, using highly concentrated cinnamon as a dietary supplement might," the study said.
Researchers acknowledged that more analysis is needed to investigate herb-drug interactions with cinnamon and its role in the human body.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle
"We know there's a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions … but we won't know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study," co-author Bill Gurley said in the release.
Khan said before using any supplements with prescribed medication, people should talk to their healthcare providers.
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US to burn $9.7 million worth of USAID-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas
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US to burn $9.7 million worth of USAID-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas

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RFK Jr.'s plans for health panel spark "deep concerns" from medical group
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RFK Jr.'s plans for health panel spark "deep concerns" from medical group

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RFK Jr.'s plans for preventive health panel spark "deep concerns" from American Medical Association
RFK Jr.'s plans for preventive health panel spark "deep concerns" from American Medical Association

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The American Medical Association is expressing "deep concern" after a report that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy may be planning to remove all members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The task force, also known as the USPSTF, is a panel of independent medical experts whose recommendations help guide insurance companies and doctors' decisions about a range of preventive health measures, like cancer and diabetes screenings as well as HIV and cholesterol drugs. In a letter posted on Sunday, the AMA — the largest association of physicians in the U.S. — addressed Kennedy over a report published Friday in The Wall Street Journal. The WSJ story cited sources familiar with the matter as saying Kennedy plans to dismiss the task force members because he views them as too "woke." "USPSTF plays a critical, non-partisan role in guiding physicians' efforts to prevent disease and improve the health of patients by helping to ensure access to evidence-based clinical preventive services," the AMA's letter said. "As such, we urge you to retain the previously appointed members of the USPSTF and commit to the long-standing process of regular meetings to ensure their important work can continue without interruption." In a statement to CBS News Friday, an HHS spokesperson said, "No final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again." on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again." The task force was created more than 40 years ago, but its work took on added significance after passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. The law requires health insurers and group health plans to provide preventive services that are recommended by the task force without imposing co-pays, deductibles or other cost-sharing charges on patients. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the structure of the task force, but ruled that its members are "inferior officers" that can be "removable at will" by the HHS secretary. As the case played out, nonprofit organizations warned the Supreme Court that eliminating cost-sharing for services like breast cancer screenings or HIV-prevention medications would dissuade patients from seeking medical care. Last month, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice, also known as ACIP, a separate government panel of that makes vaccine recommendations. He later named eight new advisers, including several allies he has worked with closely over the years and some members with a history as vaccine critics. Read the AMA's full letter below:Melissa Quinn contributed to this report.

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