question about chromium

[christineanne]

Hello,
Do you think chromium works,looking at American sites they recommend you take it,in UK in the dark ages
Why is 75 carbs a day important,is it total carbs on food label you count,is 75 quite low,
please excuse my ignorance,
Christineanne

[princesslinda]

Christine, some find that chromium works for them, so say they notice no change, guess its one of those things that you'll have to try and see if you notice a difference in your levels.

As for carbs, I was told that 15 gms of carbs = 1 carb serving, so 75 carbs would = 5 carb servings. Some of us subtract fiber from carbs to get total carbs, so if your food had 20 carbs and 5 fiber, you'd count it as 15 total carbs. Fiber slows down the effects of carbs, so if you combine fiber with your carbs, you often won't see blood sugar rise as quickly....I know it sounds confusing.

However, instead of trying to find a specific # of carbs to eat, why not try testing your blood sugars 2 hrs after the first bite of your meals, that way you'll see which foods affect your blood sugars negatively and be able to make smarter food choices. When first diagnosed, I kept a food journal where I wrote down what I ate and the 2 hr corresponding blood sugar level. Before too long, I had lots of "safe" meals I knew I could eat w/o problems. It made me feel much better knowing how many choices I had...but I wouldn't have known this unless I tested.

[fgummett]

I believe the UK food labels show the "Total Carbs" with the fibre already subtracted. Over here the label might say "35g Total Carbs, 5g fibre. Many of us subtract the 5g of fibre (as it will not be digested) and count that food as only 30g Carbs. In the UK it would already show that food as 30g Carbs.

Clear as mud :eek:

As ever, Linda is right... testing is really the only way to find out how different foods affect YOUR Diabetes. Can you get a free meter in the UK with the purchase of test strips?

[Evermont]

One reason why chromium supplementation would show varied results it this: chromium is an essential trace element. Essential means your body must have it. Trace means that you need very little. Chromium deficiency is very rare. If you don't get enough in your diet then supplementation would help. For most people supplementation is overkill and therefore offers no help.

Chromium is known to be important for glucose regulation - so taking the trouble to find out if you are getting enough, or supplementing for "insurance" makes some sense.

Here's a couple links to get you started:

Chromium (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/chromium-000294.htm) <--- READ THIS!!!

Chromium(III) picolinate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium(III)_picolinate)

Chromium deficiency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_deficiency)

BTW - chromium is especially good for making shiny motorcycles. I use a LOT of it on mine :bike:

[BrianSCohen]

I have seen lots of stuff suggesting that chromium deficiency can lead to blood sugar problems. I had no improvement using chromium supplementation. That is not to say it does not work, just not for me. Perhaps I don't have a chromium deficiency. It turns out you can get a fair bit of chromium in your diet, and deficiency is rare. Here are some good sources of chromium. I have presented them in my preferred order, red wine - up to 13 mcg/glass, 1/2 c brocolli 11 mcg, 1 teaspoon garlic - 3 mcg. It is recommended you get 20-35 mcg/day. Kinda hard to become deficient, particularly when I have to have two medicinal glasses of red wine every evening.

[rayrontgen]

I believe the UK food labels show the "Total Carbs" with the fibre already subtracted. Over here the label might say "35g Total Carbs, 5g fibre. Many of us subtract the 5g of fibre (as it will not be digested) and count that food as only 30g Carbs. In the UK it would already show that food as 30g Carbs.

Clear as mud :eek:

As ever, Linda is right... testing is really the only way to find out how different foods affect YOUR Diabetes. Can you get a free meter in the UK with the purchase of test strips?
It is really the other way round. You get some free strips when you purchase a meter. The one I use would give you about 10 strips in the box with the meter. However, in Britain you ask for a repeat prescription and you will get more strips, usually 50 at a time.