Chromium Picolinate

Optimal Blood Sugar Control

Functional hypo-glycemia means low blood sugar and the term ‘functional’ refers to an inability of the blood sugar stabilising mechanisms to function in the correct manner. This can result in abnormal cravings for sweet things including chocolate, but even bread and any carbohydrate.

Functional hypoglycemia often accompanies other complaints, especially those associated with prolonged periods of stress or anxiety. Including chronic fatigue syndrome and post-viral fatigue syndrome sufferers. PMS has many symptoms that are similar to those of function hypoglycemia, and is often improved by a hypoglycemic diet. You may want to down load: Eric's Glycemic Index of Carbohydrate Foods (PDF 86kb). This is a useful document which will explain more, and show you the GI scale of common foods, and how they relate to weight-loss. 

A diverse group of symptoms can be associated with hypoglycemia—having one or a few symptoms is not necessarily diagnostic of hypoglycemia because these symptoms could accompany other com­plaints. True hypoglycemia should respond to adequate dietary change within a week, if this does not occur, other reasons for the symptoms should be sought and it would pay to see your health-care professional, preferably one trained in natural medicine.

 The main symptoms of low-blood sugar

• Tiredness, vagueness or shakiness which is alleviated by eating.
• Tiredness or irritability if meals are late, or first thing in the morning.
• Sugar cravings.
• Hungry all the time or soon after eating.
• Headaches when meals are delayed.
• Inappropriate feelings of anxiety or inadequacy, which disappear after eating.
• Waking in the middle of the night feeling abnormally hungry.

 Causes

• Prolonged stress - Prolonged periods of stress trigger the ‘fight or flight mechanism which causes a series of changes in Hormone levels and fluctua­tions in the blood sugar levels.
• Diet - A number of dietary factors adversely affect blood sugar levels including an over consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars,  and an inappropriate alcohol intake (alcohol without eating, or alcohol with sugar-based mixers). I have found that dieters often develop hypoglycemia because of their low energy diets. This causes them to "break out"and eat large amounts of starchy or sugary foods. (Like chocolate, biscuits or some favorite sweet treat) The rapid drop in blood sugar initiates a very counterproductive cycle of sugar craving, hypoglycemic symptoms,and no doubt, weight gain. Following a diet for hypoglycemia is a successful way to lose weight slowly and progressively because it breaks the cycle of ‘fast and feast’. Short-term ‘crash’ diets are asking for trouble.

At The Naturopaths, we understand and can successfully treat functional hypoglycemia. Doctors of conventional medicine do not generally address this condition. It is a relatively common complaint that responds well to nutritional treatment to correct blood sugar levels and functional treatment to support the pancreas and carbohydrate metabolism.  

Some General Dietary Guidelines

• Eat small amounts of protein regularly at meals and with snacks.
• Eat small, frequent meals.
• Avoid all sugar, honey and dried fruit.
• Consume only small quantities of unsweetened, dilute fruit juice.
• Avoid all stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and cola drinks.
• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
• Eat only whole grain foods. Avoid white flour and refined cereals.
• Always eat breakfast.

Complementary proteins

• All animal protein is ‘complete’, and therefore meals containing milk products, eggs, meat or fish provide first class protein. Incomplete (plant) protein foods, however, need to be combined to provide the same quality protein as animal protein,
• Beans with grains: tofu and rice, lentils and rice, corn and beans, buckwheat and tempeh, muesli and soy milk, kidney beans and
• barley.
• Beans and seeds: tahini and beans, tofu and sesame seeds,
• Grains and nuts: nut butters on bread, rice and cashews, rice and peanut sauce.

Dietary supplement for fatigue, sugar cravings and weight loss

Solgar's chromium is the best one

The best retail chromium picolinate you can buy is from Solgar, why? Because their minerals come from Albion, one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of mineral chelates. We like to give you excellent information to help you with your complaints, and then offer you the best nutritional supplements you can buy. That way you will actually get good benefit from taking a product. We have been disappointed in the past with dietary supplement companies and now offer the best.

Chromax: the most biologically active form of chromium available

Each 200ug of elemental chromium is from 1.6mg (1,600 ug) of Chromium Tripicolinate, as Nutrition Chromax. Chromax is a certified biologically active form of chromium picolinate, a yeast-free source of chromium.

This will save you money in the long run because you will need to take less product and for a shorter period of time to achieve the desired results.

Modern diets often deficient in chromium

Chromium is a commonly deficient mineral due to the high intake of refined and sugary foods in modern diets. Solgar Chromium Picolinate is yeast free.

Directions for use: As a food supplement for adults, one (1) to three (3) capsules daily, preferably at mealtime, or as directed. I recommend you start with one capsule with breakfast and one with lunch.

Ingredients: Each vegetable capsule provides:Chromium (picolinate) 200ug
In a natural base of:. microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, vegetable gum.
Vegetable capsule shell: hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.
Each 200ug of elemental chromium is from 1.6mg (1,600 ug) of Chromium Tripicolinate, as Nutrition Chromax. Chromax is a certified biologically active form of chromium picolinate, a yeast-free source of chromium.