You have type 2 diabetes and after you were diagnosed, I’m sure your read or heard, chromium is an essential mineral for diabetics. There is no doubt that a deficiency of this mineral can cause problems with blood sugar control. Originally scientists thought, in combination with some B group vitamins, it formed a part of a glucose tolerance factor.

There is a delicate balance between too much and too little, so I would ask myself the following questions:

• are my blood glucose levels maintained within the range recommended by my health care provider, most of the time?
• do you think you have symptoms of a deficiency?

Before buying this product from a health food store or pharmacy:

• talk with your dietitian or diabetes educator, or health care provider
• blood, urine and hair samples have been tested but accurate results have been difficult to obtain.

The Chromium Question:

No scientific evidence shows it is especially helpful to the person with type 2 diabetes. New research has shown that instead of being part of the glucose tolerance factor, it is at the center of a small protein molecule which helps activate insulin receptors in your body’s cells. If this is so, it may mean your body manages sugar levels more effectively.

If your diet is low in this mineral, a supplement may improve blood sugar control.

It has been suggested 25mcgs/day for women and 35 mcgs/day for men is all that is needed. Good food sources are:

• egg yolk
• cheese
• apples, oranges and pineapples
• mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, and potatoes with their skin on
• liver, kidney and lean meat
• oysters
• some spices eg. pepper and chili)

Should you take a chromium supplement?

A number of studies have been carried out to see whether or not people with diabetes benefit when adding this supplement to their regime. One study in China showed people who were deficient in this mineral improved. Others diabetics had no benefit.

90% of people with type 2 diabetes benefit from losing weight and increasing their physical activity. Simply walking more each day, especially after eating, has a similar effect on the body as insulin … it reduces your blood sugar levels.

• Diabetes is Directly Related to Your Weight
• The Proper Diet For Diabetics Or TLC
• 7 Tips to Reverse the Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome Or Syndrome X
• The Affect of Artificial Sweeteners on the Type 2 Diabetes Explosion!
• How to Reduce Blood Sugar Levels - Some Nice Tips to Follow
• Discussing Diabetes
• Can You Reverse Diabetes Without Drugs?
• Get to Know the Warning Signs of Gestational Diabetes

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.