chromium
i take 1 200 mcg tablet of "chromium picolinate" daily (167% of rda)
this is the most recent addition to my regimen of nutritional supplements. i've only been taking it for a few weeks. i read that the average american diet is chromium deficient, then i read more about why chromium is essential... and i was convinced.
from "prescription for nutritional healing:"
because it is involved in the metabolism of glucose, chromium is needed for energy. it is also vital in the synthesis of cholestrol, fats and protein. this essential mineral maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization, and can be helpful both for people with diabetes and those with hypoglycemia. it can also promote the loss of fat and an increase in lean muscle tissue. studies show it may increase longevity and help fight osteoporosis.a deficiency of chromium can lead to anxiety, fatigue, glucose intolerance, inadequate metabolism of amino acids, and an increased risk of ateriosclerosis. however, if you have diabetes DO NOT take supplemental chromium without first consulting your doctor. this supplement can affect insulin requirements, so you will have to monitor your blood sugar level very carefully.
finally, some people experience lightheadedness or a slight rash when taking chromium. if you experience these side effects, discontinue use.
chromium occurs naturally in beer, brewer's yeast, brown rice, cheese, meat, whole grains, mushrooms and potatoes.
Xta, I love learning about all this stuff, but I gotta ask, how much $ do your supplements cost per month? I think that's what keeps me from it is the expense. But I guess I should think that my health is worth the outlay. Lest this turn into a self-analysis session, I'll stop.
Posted by: minty at September 9, 2004 8:39 AMper month? i'm not sure. i generally buy bottles that have at least 60 tablets, and then i only buy them when i find a "buy one get one free" sale (kroger has these sales often, and eckerd sometimes has 50%-off coupons in the sunday paper).
some of the most essential vitaimins (iron, calcium, c) are CHEAP... you really have no excuse not to buy them. ;-)
others (co q-10 or glucosamine, for example) are hellishly expensive: upwards of $40 a bottle.
i have to admit... with the most expensive ones i'll skimp a little on the recommended dosage. if the bottle suggests i take 3 glucosamine capsules, i might only take 2... i figure a little is better than nothing.
the hardest thing for me about this whole regimen is not the cost... but actually swallowing the pills. i'm not a good pill-swallower, and i face about 10 of them each morning.
Posted by: christa at September 9, 2004 8:52 AMI used to take coenzyme Q-10 on the advice of a chiropractor, and also grape seed extract. I guess the priciness of the co Q-10 scared me off. I should really get the Good Book and figure out what's right for me.
I'm not big on the swallowing, either.
Posted by: minty at September 9, 2004 10:06 AMAwright! An essential mineral I can get from my two favorite things: beer and cheese!
But seriously, how would I know if my diet is deficient in an essential mineral? I mean, I drink beer and eat cheese, meat and whole grains, so could I be getting enough of this mineral just from my food?
Posted by: Lisa B. at September 9, 2004 10:20 PMi suppose you'd know if you were chromium deficient if you had "anxiety, fatigue, or glucose intolerance." i don't know if there's a blood test that can be run to see if you need more chromium in your diet... probably so. i just trust The Book when it says that most of the population needs supplemental chromium (primarily because most of the population eats like shit).
a quick google search on "chromium supplement" turned up additional information. some sources say chromium helps alleviate sugar cravings. others talk of clinical trials wherein the subjects who took chromium supplements lost weight.
i suspect that if you eat a healthy diet and don't have any problems with blood sugar, you probably don't *need* a chromium supplement. but it probably wouldn't hurt.
Posted by: christa at September 10, 2004 2:56 AMi think chromium is one of the things that is recommended for low-carbers when they have a sugar or carb craving. i believe it helps the body process sugars.
given that beer, brown rice, whole grains and potatoes are high in easily accessed sugars, the chromium they contain almost seems like it would be a wash... your body would need it to process those foods anyway.
is chromium water-soluble?
Posted by: lisa at September 10, 2004 9:33 AMi don't think it's water-soluable, lisa. i think it's possible to get too much chromium.
here's a helpful website:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10018,00.html