Chromium to Control Blood Sugar

Since there are a lot of emerging supplements nowadays for different diseases and physical issues, it does not come as a shock that there are also supplements for diabetes. The Peterson Group, one of the leading sources for trustworthy facts and timely health news and information regarding alternative, integrative and complementary medicines found one of the researchers best bet on controlling your blood sugar.

It has been found in one of the studies held in Jakarta, Indonesia that the key role for chromium in the body is related to control of blood sugar. There is a signal molecule called low-molecular weight chromium binding substance (LMWCr) involved in blood sugar control. (You may also hear this molecule being referred to as chromodulin.) Although it has a long name, LMWCr it is a tiny molecule, built from just a few amino acids.

This LMWCr binds next to the place where insulin, a key hormone that controls blood sugar, interacts with the outside of a cell. Its role is to increase the strength of the signal that insulin sends; helping to drive blood sugar into cells more quickly after a meal.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: These phases are sensitive times for a mother and her child. Doctors highly advise to stray away from any supplements that are not prescribed and which you are not sure of. I repeat: pregnant women should not take chromium supplements during pregnancy or breast-feeding unless advised to do so by their healthcare provider.

Kidney and Liver diseases: There are already reports and reviews of kidney and/or liver damage in patients who took chromium picolinate. Do not take this medicine if you have these kinds of infections.

Chromate/leather contact allergy: Chromium supplements can cause allergic reactions in people with chromate or leather contact allergy. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and scaling of the skin. If this happens, you should consult your physician immediately.

Behavioral or psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia: Chromium might affect brain chemistry and might make behavioral or psychiatric conditions worse. If you have one of these conditions, be careful when using chromium supplements. Pay attention to any changes in how you feel.

Insulin interacts with CHROMIUM

Despite so many studies, Chromium might lower blood sugar levels too much if taken along with diabetes medications. If you have diabetes, use chromium products cautiously and monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

TPG Reviews Nutrition in a Pill

Supplements are worldwide. Even the most cynical people in the world now support supplements and physical aid medications that promise a lot of things for your physical, emotional, psychological and physiological needs. As a part of our advocacy in bringing awareness to the public on the possible effects of CAM and supplementary medicines to an individual’s health, The Peterson Group reviews the nutrition that can be found in these promising pills.

We always remind our readers to check what they eat. Your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet. For some people, however, supplements may be a useful way to get nutrients they might otherwise be lacking. But before you go shopping for supplements, review the facts on what they will and won't do for you.

Supplements vs. whole foods

Supplements aren't intended to be a food substitute because they can't replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. So depending on your situation and you’re eating habits, dietary supplements may not be worth the expense.

However, some reason out that they intake supplements as some fruits and vegetables are hard to find. One of our reader even states that she takes supplements that promises Vitamin A because it’s hard to find squash in Jakarta, Indonesia.

•    Greater nutrition

Whole foods are complex, containing a variety of the micronutrients your body needs — not just one. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C plus some beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. It's likely these compounds work together to produce their beneficial effect.

•    Essential fiber

Whole foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, provide dietary fiber. Most high-fiber foods are also packed with other essential nutrients. Fiber, as part of a healthy diet, can help prevent certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and it can also help manage constipation.

•    Protective substances

Whole foods contain other substances important for good health. Fruits and vegetables, for example, contain naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals, which may help protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many are also good sources of antioxidants — substances that slow down oxidation, a natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage.

A little warning: Whole food supplements are what their name suggests - Supplements made from concentrated whole foods. The vitamins found within these supplements are not isolated. They are highly complex structures that combine a variety of enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, activators and many other unknown or undiscovered factors all working together synergistically, to enable this vitamin complex to do its job in your body.

Nutrients from within this complex cannot be taken apart or isolated from the whole, and then be expected to do the same job in the body as the whole complex is designed to do.