holland and barrett

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.

 

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,

 

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.

 

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...

 

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?

 

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.

 

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

 

Hi what is GTF ive heard of chromium but not sure as to what you mean as GTF. Thanks sorry if I sound dumb

 

Not true if there is discrimination involved. I am reminded of the Belfast bakers

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 ..

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.