holland and barrett

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
went into my local holland and barrett today have been shopping there for years but was searching for chromium the lady asked me "are you diabetic?" yes I replied to which I got sorry we cant sell you anything as its against the law!

anyone else heard of this

Hello heli2010. When someone says to you "its against the law" - even if it is a policeman - your answer should always be "What law"? If they are someone in authority they should know the Statute - or else they should not be in authority.
Thank you for the post.
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Been on-line to the "Everyday Health" website and they published this article earlier in 2016.
"Chromium picolinate is a chemical compound that's sometimes used as an alternative therapy or as a nutritional supplement.

However, no studies or medical research have proven any significant benefit from using chromium picolinate.

Some people use chromium picolinate in an attempt to treat chromium deficiency, control blood sugar, improve depression in people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), lower cholesterol, or to aid in weight loss.

But any alleged benefit from using chromium picolinate is largely anecdotal and not supported by scientific data.

Chromium picolinate is available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription; it's also found in many multivitamin supplements.

Chromium is a mineral that's known as an "essential trace element" because only very small amounts of it are necessary for human health.

Many foods have small amounts of chromium. Meat, whole grains, and some fruits and vegetables are the best sources.

Chromium picolinate works with insulin in the body to metabolize carbohydrates. It's made by combining chromium with picolinic acid. The acid helps the body absorb chromium.

Chromium Picolinate Warnings
You should not use chromium picolinate as a substitute for any treatment prescribed by your doctor.

While the supplement is used by some people to manage different conditions, there's little or no evidence for its effectiveness.

For example, a 2011 study published in the journal Endocrine Practice found that chromium picolinate use had no effect on glucose or insulin concentrations, insulin sensitivity, or cholesterol levels among people at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Similarly, an analysis of several medical studies (published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition) reviewing the use of chromium picolinate to increase lean muscle mass found no significant benefit.

Always talk to your doctor before taking chromium picolinate.

The supplement may cause harm to you if you have:

  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Diabetes (especially if you use insulin)
  • An allergy to leather
  • Mental illness
  • A thyroid disorder
You also may not be able to use chromium picolinate if you take steroid medications such as prednisone."
Not sure of the authority this website in making these claims. Cromium has had studies that did show small benefits for reducing bgl, but mainly where diets are deficient in natural chromium. It seems to be ineffective with most western diets. Certainly the endocrinology shows that Cr is involved in metabolism, and is a necessary mineral that has to be externally taken, so there is scientific support for the notion that it may assist some people. When I did a small private study of my own, I did note an effect, but it was fairly minor. I still take it once in a while, but now I have a diet that uses more green leafy veg (eg kale) then I probably no longer need it. IMHO there are other supplements that have a stronger effect.

I think the warnings and exclusions at the end of the article are unjustified. and also un-scientific,
 
  • Like
Reactions: mick180

mick180

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I take chromium every other day im also taking metformin and since taking chromium and metformin my bg has slightly gone down more than just taking metformin tablets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oldvatr

JenniB

Well-Known Member
Messages
62
Type of diabetes
Type 2
went into my local holland and barrett today have been shopping there for years but was searching for chromium the lady asked me "are you diabetic?" yes I replied to which I got sorry we cant sell you anything as its against the law!

anyone else heard of this
yes me too. At the expert course someone recommended some supplement from Holland and Barratt and when I went theI volunteered the information that I was T2 and they refused to sell me the medication and said I needed to go to my doctor and get permission to take the supplement (fish oil). I think they are playing safe and better that than someone dies...
 

JenniB

Well-Known Member
Messages
62
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hello heli2010,,,well I have shopped there so many times,,and never heard of this load of tripe,,,well to help diabetes, you need to have Chromium Picolinate,,this was featured in their own Healthy magazine.about the Chromium supplement,,it was written by Dr.Carina Norris. The article featured a study were the people took 600ug,dose,,,,I took the H&B dose of200ug each day,,,and I felt my blood sugar readings go down and I had my first 'hypo sensations' while taking it,,,I stopped when the hospital doctor changed my other meds,,,but I am still considering going back to it,,,,
H&B has said that their staff have had a re-training on their products and they are now better trained to help with questions and helpful advise,,,I think that staff member has missed some training,,,,I would go back and find out what she meant,, and if she is not the shop manager,,ask to speak to that person,,,and see what they say,,,,and if you shop there a lot they have their own loyalty card,,,were you vouchers for lots of money off their products,,and money voucher, when the points add up,,,nice little shopping treat,,,,good luck with going back,,,ttfn from Karen.
Hi I am a bit confused as I never heard of this treatmemt - is if for T1 or T2 - presume doctor not mentioned as it is more money?
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
yes me too. At the expert course someone recommended some supplement from Holland and Barratt and when I went theI volunteered the information that I was T2 and they refused to sell me the medication and said I needed to go to my doctor and get permission to take the supplement (fish oil). I think they are playing safe and better that than someone dies...
I went to my local H&B too, to enquire about suitable food for an LC diet as a T2, and to be fair the Manager did try to find some solutions. Unfortunately most of their products have been tampered with, and even their almond kernals seem to have been treated with something that increases their quoted carb content. So I came away empty handed (saving me loads of cash in the process) The closest he could get was body building protein powders, but these have added sugars or Malitol. He did sell me Chromium Picolinate after a short discussion on Cr GTF vs picolinate in terms of bgl. Apparently picolinate is better for a T2, So it does seem to depend on which branch you go to. Personally I buy online now.
 

Enclave

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
2,602
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
went into my local holland and barrett today have been shopping there for years but was searching for chromium the lady asked me "are you diabetic?" yes I replied to which I got sorry we cant sell you anything as its against the law!

anyone else heard of this

The wife has been in retail .. she says it is the right of any retailer to refuse to sell to a customer ...
 

mick180

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I went to my local H&B too, to enquire about suitable food for an LC diet as a T2, and to be fair the Manager did try to find some solutions. Unfortunately most of their products have been tampered with, and even their almond kernals seem to have been treated with something that increases their quoted carb content. So I came away empty handed (saving me loads of cash in the process) The closest he could get was body building protein powders, but these have added sugars or Malitol. He did sell me Chromium Picolinate after a short discussion on Cr GTF vs picolinate in terms of bgl. Apparently picolinate is better for a T2, So it does seem to depend on which branch you go to. Personally I buy online now.
Hi what is GTF ive heard of chromium but not sure as to what you mean as GTF. Thanks sorry if I sound dumb
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
The wife has been in retail .. she says it is the right of any retailer to refuse to sell to a customer ...
Not true if there is discrimination involved. I am reminded of the Belfast bakers
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi what is GTF ive heard of chromium but not sure as to what you mean as GTF. Thanks sorry if I sound dumb
H&B sell at least 2 flavours of chromium. GTF stands for Glucose Tolerance Factor. But the picolinate variant is better suited for diabetics wanting bgl reduction.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mick180

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Not true if there is discrimination involved. I am reminded of the Belfast bakers
Actually you are both right - a retailer can refuse to sell to any potential customer and he does not need to give a reason for refusing. But if he does give a reason and it is discrimination against a particular group of people unreasonably, then he is in breach of the law. But, if he can prove that the purchaser was going to use the product for an illegal purpose, or if he suspected that the purchaser was going to use the product for an illegal purpose, then he has a good defense. E.g. Someone trying to purchase fertilizer and the retailer suspecting that the purchaser was going to make a bomb.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oldvatr

Enclave

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
2,602
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
The wife is a horticulturist ... she has in the past refused to sell large amounts of grow bags and growing lights inc hydroponics for big indoor setups .. also a certain combi of fertilisers and weedkillers .. she never gives reasons ..
 

ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies
the H&B Chromium GTF that they sell is called Glucose Tolerance Factor for a reason. It is not against the law to sell such a supplement, but it may be a company policy breach if they make a recommendation to take it for such and such a purpose ( i,e, making a medical claim for its properties. They should draw your attention to possible glycaemic effects, as is normally stated anyway on the packaging.

BTW. Do I detect an engineering background here?
That's why none of their products are called diabetic supplements or pre-diabetic supplements. They used to recommend supplements but not sure if they still do. Didn't they sell diabetic chocolate which has just been disallowed, by law. Lady sounds confused.
 

Kyambala

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
The wife is a horticulturist ... she has in the past refused to sell large amounts of grow bags and growing lights inc hydroponics for big indoor setups .. also a certain combi of fertilisers and weedkillers .. she never gives reasons ..

Very wise of her. Unfortunately some staff who are trying to be helpful say the wrong thing and place their employer in a difficult position. Always best to keep mum.
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
No law restricting diabetic chocolate at the moment. Boots did withdraw their range but it is back and re-formulated. There is an article on this site's (DCUK) home page about chocolate in general. Also on DUK site. A long time ago some sweetners got banned, but now only one (cyclamates) remains banned, and that is only by the FDA, so not in UK.
 

SBB

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I'm new to diabetes, two months Type 1. Reading this forum I was interested to find out what Chromium does and if it is safe, interestingly I found a statement on Phentermine.com stating, 'If you are diabetic, do not supplement with chromium....'. As I said, I'm new and need to do more reading, the jist I get is people are using it to curb craving and stop BG spikes. Would be interested in users opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kyambala

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I'm new to diabetes, two months Type 1. Reading this forum I was interested to find out what Chromium does and if it is safe, interestingly I found a statement on Phentermine.com stating, 'If you are diabetic, do not supplement with chromium....'. As I said, I'm new and need to do more reading, the jist I get is people are using it to curb craving and stop BG spikes. Would be interested in users opinion.
If you are diabetic, then anything that can lower bgl needs to be treated with caution, especially if on certain medications. Anyone on insulin therapy need to be especially aware of the dangers of hypoglycemia, and so an untrained salespersons will say don't take it. However, many here on this forum are well informed, and able to make up their own minds, so in the case of Chromium it is not a major issue since the bgl lowering effects are small anyway, It is more of an issue with things like Bitter Melon or Gymnema Sylvestre which are used for primary control of Diabetes in some Indian medicine practices. I personally found that a Cr suplement did drop my fasting bgl by around 1 mmol/l. but that over time this effect became less. I got better bgl lowering from nightly alcohol.
 

Pinkorchid

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,927
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I personally think that most supplements are not needed unless they are recommended by our health professionals. A good varied diet less the high carbs of course for diabetics should ensure we get everything we need from that. The only exception I make to that myself is a high strength cod liver oil capsule for my joints and I have been taking that for about 25 years I am 77 and my joints are still really good. I also take a Macushield capsule every day for my eyes as I have early signs of age related dry macular degeneration and this is recommended by the eye specialists.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yingtong

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I personally think that most supplements are not needed unless they are recommended by our health professionals. A good varied diet less the high carbs of course for diabetics should ensure we get everything we need from that. The only exception I make to that myself is a high strength cod liver oil capsule for my joints and I have been taking that for about 25 years I am 77 and my joints are still really good. I also take a Macushield capsule every day for my eyes as I have early signs of age related dry macular degeneration and this is recommended by the eye specialists.
I agree with you if you are on diet only.

But if you are taking medications, then these quite often interfere with the way our bodies work so we either end up blocking absorption, or excreting the very minerals and vitamins we require. I am thinking Metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, most BP meds, diuretics, and lansaprazole. omeprazole protectors. Clopidogrel and aspirin / warfarin also affects us. There are probably others that some here may be on (eg statins?), but these meds are ones I am taking, and every one adversly affects my metabolism.
 

heli2010

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
would you trust your health care professional?
I have a trait of asking seemingly innocuous questions whilst knowing a great deal about the subject so when a HCP describes metformin as working the same as a sulphonylurea
or when they dismiss supplements for joint pain stating its just age whilst forgetting to mention it could be down to statin use
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kyambala