Jose Antonio

Tim Ziegenfuss

Clinical Reviews

Presented by Tim Ziegenfuss, Ph.D., and Jose Antonio, Ph.D., of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Cinnamon to Increase Lean Body Mass and Reduce Fat?

Ziegenfuss, TN, Hofheins, JE et al. Effects of a proprietary aqueous cinnamon extract on glucose regulation, lipid profiles, and body composition in prediabetic men and women. Ohio Research Group. Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

After 12 weeks, subjects in the Cinnulin PF group, a key ingredient in Curvelle™, noted statistically significant increases in lean body mass and a reduction in overall bodyfat. Notably, all participants maintained their usual levels of physical activity and normal diet patterns...

A recent clinical study conducted by the Ohio Research Group revealed that supplementation with Cinnulin PF®, a patented water extract of cinnamon, can improve body composition. The placebo-controlled, double-blind study examined the effect of supplementation with Cinnulin PF on blood glucose regulation, lipid profiles, and body composition in pre-diabetic men and women.

After 12 weeks, subjects in the Cinnulin PF group noted statistically significant increases in lean body mass and a reduction in overall bodyfat. Notably, all participants maintained their usual levels of physical activity and normal diet patterns throughout the course of the study. Based on these results, individuals who suffer from pre-diabetes may benefit from supplementation with Cinnulin PF, both to promote weight loss as well as maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.

USDA studies have also shown that cinnamon can improve cholesterol levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, researchers note that when consumed consistently or in high doses, whole cinnamon and fat-soluble extracts may be toxic. Cinnulin PF, a 20:1 water extract of cinnamon, retains the active components without the potentially harmful compounds, making it safe for every day use. Currently, Cinnulin PF is the only cinnamon extract standardized for the recognized active component in cinnamon: double-linked Type-A Polymers.

Submitted by Tim Ziegenfuss, Ph.D.

Beta-Alanine and Carnosine Buffer pH and Reduce Muscle Fatigue

Harris RC, Tallon MJ, Dunnett M, Boobis L, Coakley J, Kim HJ, Fallowfield JL, Hill CA, Sale C, Wise JA. The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis. Amino Acids. 2006 May;30(3):279-89. Epub 2006 Mar 24.

This landmark study suggests that beta-alanine and L-carnosine supplementation—as found in the #1 best-selling carnosine supplement H-Blocker™—is an effective method to improve muscular performance and workload capacity.

Background: Carnosine is a dipeptide found in high concentrations in skeletal muscle as well as the central nervous system. Although carnosine has quite a range of physiological actions, its role as a muscle pH buffer (and therefore fatigue reducer) is what's received the most attention from exercise scientists and many athletes.

A newly published placebo-controlled study from the UK examined the safety and efficacy of ingesting the amino acid beta-alanine (the precursor of carnosine) and L-carnosine itself.

Study Results: During the four-week study, 21 male subjects ingested either 800 mg of beta-alanine four times per day (average daily dose of 3.2 g), 800 mg of beta-alanine eight times per day (average daily dose of 6.4 g), or 3.2 g per day of L-carnosine (800 mg x 4 doses per day). Muscle biopsies taken pre- and post-supplementation indicated that all three regimens increased carnosine content (by 42, 64, and 66%, respectively). As a result, the calculated buffering capacity of muscle increased by an average of four to six percent, which may not sound like much but is actually quite large.

No changes in comprehensive blood chemistries were noted, indicating that beta-alanine and carnosine is safe, at least during four weeks of supplementation.

CONCLUSION: Although more research is needed, this landmark study suggests that beta-alanine and L-carnosine supplementation is an effective method of improving the buffering capacity of muscle, to improve muscular performance and workload capacity.

Submitted by Ron Mendel, Ph.D., Mount Union College

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