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Diet For Diabetes Mellitus

The “Good Carb, Good Fat” diet that I have written is extremely powerful in patients with diabetes mellitus. The only recommendation I have for diabetics is to take their regular multivitamin and also to consider chromium. Research has recently revealed some exciting new roles for chromium and reinforced some old ones. Among the most important: Chromium's role in preventing and controlling diabetes and heart disease and, more surprisingly, as a possible treatment for depression.

Researchers discovered some time ago that chromium boosts the activity of insulin, which in turn aids the body's ability to metabolize glucose. It is only natural, then, to project that chromium might benefit people with diabetes. Now, researchers have also linked chromium to reduction in insulin resistance – often the forerunner of type II diabetes. The link is clear. People with type II diabetes lose almost twice as much chromium in their urine and have low levels of the mineral in their blood than people without diabetes. In a recent study those given 1,000 mcg/day of chromium picolonate experienced significant improvement in insulin sensitivity compared to those getting a placebo. Now people are seeing the positive affect on blood glucose. Research now clearly shows that chromium supplements can improve blood sugar control even beyond the benefits of glucose-lowering medications. Even people with type I diabetes show improvement with chromium supplements.

What about safety?

Earlier lab studies have suggested the possibility of genetic damage with large doses of chromium picolonate. However, chromium has generally been considered one of the safest minerals. Scientific panels in both the United States and Britain have found no evidence of harmful effects, even in extremely high doses of up to 10,000 mcg/day in picolonate form. The conclusion by the USDA is that chromium has a low toxicity and they have found no studies that document any consistent negative effects of chromium in people or animals, that includes the results of a clinical study that specifically tested for DNA damage in people taking 1,000 mcg of chromium picolonate per day. It is important to note that chromium levels in the body decrease with age, dropping by about 25 to 40 percent as the risks for Syndrome X or the metabolic syndrome and diabetes and heart disease increases. This increased need at a time of decreased availability, makes seniors more vulnerable to chromium depletion. Chromium is present in a lot of foods but most provide only 1.0 to 2.0 mcg/serving and dietary chromium is poorly absorbed. Virtually all of the chromium studies that have triggered a positive response use supplements, not foods.

Recommendation

Not everyone should run out and buy chromium supplements; the potential for benefit seems to be greatest for overweight people at risk for diabetes and heart disease. If you are at risk for either condition, I would discuss taking chromium supplements with your doctor. Most of the evidence suggests it will not hurt and it could possibly help. Look for supplements of chromium picolonate, the most stable and best-absorbed form, at a dose of 200 to 1,000 mcg/day– the amounts used in research. A www.consumerlab.com review of chromium picolonate supplements found most brands tested to be reliable.

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