When you think of nutritional supplements for diabetes, you probably don’t think of chromium. But you should.
Chromium is a trace mineral that improves the action of insulin and helps move glucose and other nutrients into cells. Its therapeutic value was first discovered in the 1950s, and since then, at least 15 well-controlled clinical trials have examined the effects of supplemental chromium on patients with diabetes, insulin resistance and other blood sugar abnormalities. The trials showed that this mineral improves glucose metabolism.
In one study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center and Beijing Medical University, 180 people with type 2 diabetes were divided into three groups and given supplements containing 100 mcg chromium picolinate, 500 mcg chromium picolinate, or a placebo, twice a day. No other changes were made in their medications, diets, or activity levels.
When their blood glucose levels were tested after four months, the patients taking chromium had reductions in blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin (a longer-term measure of blood sugar control).
Chromium has also been demonstrated to facilitate weight loss, which is a powerful diabetic treatment in and of itself. I recommend taking 200 mcg of chromium picolinate daily.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Whitaker
Want to learn more about diabetes control? Visit DrWhitaker.com.
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