Maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Diets high in sugar, physical inactivity, and stress, which are so prevalent in our busy contemporary lifestyles, can contribute to a problem known as "glucose intolerance," a condition that often appears before the onset of diabetes1. Glucose intolerance means that the body shows reduced sensitivity to insulin, and increased levels of glucose appear in the blood. This can have negative effects on weight management efforts, not to mention effects on overall health (kidney and cardiovascular damage, nerve pain, vision problems)1.
What is it?
More specifically, stress and a deficient diet can lead to a depletion of chromium, a trace mineral in the body. When chromium levels are low, the body releases the hormone cortisol. This hormone works in opposition to insulin, which manages blood sugar, by increasing cellular resistance to insulin and stimulating appetite and binge eating.
Chromium Supplementation
By taking a chromium supplement, the body can be helped to metabolize carbohydrates and fats while supporting healthy glucose metabolism2. Healthy glucose management results in the conversion of glucose into cellular energy.
Forms of Chromium Supplementation
Chromium supplements can take several forms. In recent years, many companies have promoted chromium picolinate as the best source of chromium. However, studies on chromium absorption have indicated that in its chromic diglycinate form, a chelated chromium nicotinic amino acid marketed under the brand Chromium Chelavite®, chromium is more readily absorbed than in its picolinate form. Indeed, chromium picolinate showed an absorption rate of 37.5%, compared to 57.5% for chromic diglycinate3. According to various studies, chromic diglycinate supplements have been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 19% to 27% and increase insulin sensitivity3.
An extract from a plant ingredient that we all know in everyday life, cinnamon, also shows potential for supporting healthy glucose metabolism. Several human studies have shown that cinnamon can reduce blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity, while reducing LDL cholesterol levels4.
References:
- “Impaired Glucose Tolerance.” Government of Ontario. www.healthyontario.com
- Health Canada. NHPD Compendium of Monograph. Chromium.
- “Chromium…has the public been mislead?”.Albion Research Notes. June 1995.
Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003 Dec;26(12):3215-8.