Chromium for Pre-Diabetes?

hi Dr.McLeod
i have a big worries bout something related to chromax

i am possible to be….pre-diabetes patient Read more

How Does Iceland Health Chromax Work?

Hello Dr. McLeod.

Chromax May Help Control Blood Sugar

OBSERVATION:

Dear Dr. McLeod:
I have been fighting Diabet. for a year now.  I am 58, and overweight by 40lbs.  I was taking 50 Lantice each night.  (Excuse me, but I think you mean LANTUS, which is a type of basal insulin). Also 1500 Metformin, and 6 to 8 units of Humalog, each day.  My sugar highs were 600 and lows 58.  Needless to say, I felt terrible.  I began taking th4e Chromax Plus, Ultra Strength four weeks ago.  Because of this product, My sugar levels are now 90 to 120. 

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Does Chromium Cause Diabetes?

Does Chromium Cause Diabetes?

QUESTION:
Hello,

My coach told me to take 400 mcg of chromium picolinate every night for one month to support weight loss. However my family have the history of diabetics type 2, I am not sure about taking chromium as weight loss supplement. It might make me diabetic? please help me out.

Thanks and Regards
S K

ANSWER:
Your coach is correct that chromium supports weight loss. Several of my patients have lost many pounds after beginning to take chromium. I think that’s because chromium gives them more energy and enables them to exercise more.
Your coach is not correct on two points: 1) chromium does not cause diabetes. In fact there is some evidence that chromium delays or prevents the onset of diabetes. 2) Take chromium in the morning. If taken too late in the date, it may cause some difficulty in falling asleep.
Good luck, and thank you for contacting me. I would appreciate a followup.
Malcolm McLeod, MD

Can chromium reduce need for diabetic drugs?

Can chromium reduce need for diabetic drugs?

I have received numerous emails from people that suggest that chromium might be useful in lowering the dosage of drugs used to treat diabetes. This is not proven, but it certainly is an interesting area for research.
I’m pleased to read that the person is studying this matter with the help of her physician. I would never recommend otherwise.
Here is the letter:

Dear Dr McLeod

Thanks to chromium picolinate (600 ug daily) my mood so well improved. As well as my diabetes 2: Now I am taking only half dose of my oral anti diabetic drug ( Metformin + pioglitazone) under supervision of my physician. And my fasting blood sugar is better than before !. Thank you for all you have discovered.

I am looking forward to your next book.

Best regards
C. A.
France

Chromium in combination with diabetes medications?

Chromium in combination with diabetes medications?

Dear Dr. McLeod:

I heard your interview this past Sunday morning. I’m 43 yrs old, 295 lbs. and 5’9″. I’m interested in trying the chromium picolinate supplement, but I have a couple of questions. I take Amaryl (2 mg daily) and Avandia (4 mg daily), I take both in the morning, for Type 2 diabetes. I also take Wellbutrin (150 mg daily) in the morning. I do take a Centrum multi once a day (usually before bed). What concerns should I have about taking the chromium picolinate supplement? Would the supplement have any counter-reaction with the Amaryl and/or Avandia? How would the supplement react with Wellbutrin? And, if I should not have any concerns about taking the supplement, what do you recommend the proper dosage to be? Your “rule of thumb” of 5 mg per pound would mean you would be recommending 1500 mg per day for me. Is that right? But, if each of the multivitamin pill I take contains 100 mg, should I limit myself to 2 500 mg tablets?

Thank you in advance for your attention and response.

Dear Sir,
Thank you for contacting me. First of all, I must tell you that I’m not able to offer personal advice, as that would be a shoddy attempt to practice medicine without meeting with you. So, please consult your healthcare professional.
With that caveat, let me address your several questions in a general way:

Medications for type 2 diabetes can lower blood sugar too much. Because chromium makes the body more sensitive to insulin, it might contribute to low blood sugar. On the other hand, taking chromium might allow a person to take less medications for type 2 diabetes. Again, do so under the careful supervision of your healthcare professional.

I’ve found that people who respond favorably to Wellbutrin also respond well to chromium. You may be able to take less Wellbutrin.

The multivitamin you’re taking may contain chromium chloride, which is difficult to absorb. You may not be absorbing any appreciable amount from your multivitamin. If you decide to take chromium, I suggest you take chromium picolinate, which is readily absorbed.

My “rule of thumb” is to begin by taking 3 micrograms per pound per day, in the morning, and to increase that to 5 micrograms per pound in a week if no improvement.

Please let me know what you and your physician decide to do and the results.

Again, thank you for asking this very important question.

Malcolm McLeod