Chromium supplements: what's your experience/opinion?

Seek professional help already.

nancyb said:

I've bought some chromium tablets but I can't decide whether to try them or not! Has anyone found them useful, harmful or useless?
I'm Type 2, diagnosed 5 weeks ago, no medications at the moment. BG down from 11-16mmol to about 5 - 9 using diet and exercise.

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I wouldn't take any medication that was not prescribed, or at least I knew every element of its contents or its contra indications.

Your diet seems to working just fine, however any raise above 2mmol is considered not good. Everyone is different but the spikes need to be controlled and lowering your carbs will definitely help.

Good luck with your diet and take care

Do you have a specific reason for thinking you need this supplement? Personally I don't take any supplements, and would only do so if blood tests showed I am deficient in something or other.

My problem with chromium supplements is that it is known to be toxic.

Oh I read this too, in a book with the diabetes uk logo, cinnamon and vit d was also mentioned. I'm seeing my GP on Monday so I may take the book along, not on any medication yet.

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes way back in 2000 I conducted my own research into Chromium.
I discovered in my research that the level of Chromium present in 85% of all newly diagnosed Type 2's was down below the average level. Chromium levels are also known to diminish with age, the older the individual is the less Chromium that they have present within their bloodstream.
The problem of low Chromium levels in the human body is more prevalent in the Western world, where advanced refining of grains and in the processing of many root vegetables lowers the intake of Chromium. This mineral is vital for the take up of glucose from within the bloodstream into the body cells and forms a part of the glucose tolerance factor.
There is much conflict as to whether taking Chromium as a supplement has any benefit, but I will say that with what I researched I've personally taken Chromium for several years now, finding that it does indeed help in stabilising my overall B/G level, and reduces my Hba1c all be it by a small amount.

Thanks 'lazybones' that seems to be what I am finding as I read into it. What dose do you take?

Lazybones said:

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes way back in 2000 I conducted my own research into Chromium.
I discovered in my research that the level of Chromium present in 85% of all newly diagnosed Type 2's was down below the average level. Chromium levels are also known to diminish with age, the older the individual is the less Chromium that they have present within their bloodstream.
The problem of low Chromium levels in the human body is more prevalent in the Western world, where advanced refining of grains and in the processing of many root vegetables lowers the intake of Chromium. This mineral is vital for the take up of glucose from within the bloodstream into the body cells and forms a part of the glucose tolerance factor.
There is much conflict as to whether taking Chromium as a supplement has any benefit, but I will say that with what I researched I've personally taken Chromium for several years now, finding that it does indeed help in stabilising my overall B/G level, and reduces my Hba1c all be it by a small amount.

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Thanks for this, it seems to be what I am reading too. What dose do you take?

Dear KLS,
You were enquring as to the dosage that I take of the Chromium.
I have been and still am taking a daily dosage of one tablet of Chromium Picolinate (200 micro grams) first thing in the mornings before breakfast.
You will most likely discover, there is little information on Chromium readily available on the internet, but in my own case when my Diabetes was first diagnosed and I was informed that I would most likely need to go on Insulin, I decided to give the Chromium suppliments a try..
After a few weeks I successfully managed to lower and control my Type 2 diabetes to 'below normal levels' using the Chromium in conjunction with a low carbohydrate diet and managed to stay off all prescribed Diabetic Medications for a full 10 years.
Eventually my HbA1c started to slowly climb up and I was subsequently prescribed 2x 500mg Metformin which I take in conjunction with the Chromium Picolinate, my most recent HbA1c currently being 6.4%.
Type 2 indivuals that I have mentioned Chromium to have in the main all succeeded in lowering their B/G levels, some being very effective others not so, and in one case there was this lady who reported back to me that her ability to mentally add up in her head, the daily takings in the shop where she was the manager was greatly improved as a direct result of taking the Chromium (improving Brain function also being one of the known benifit of Chromium).
Though Chromium is a known toxic substance, and the body's ability to absorb Chromium at best is very poor, in these small quantites taking a Chromium suppliment should do no significant harm, though it might take several weeks for it to become effective.

My experience is that I bought chromium picolinate tablets a while ago, but forgot to start taking them. Will watch this thread with interest.