People with diabetes have high blood sugar for two reasons: either their pancreas doesn’t produce enough, or their muscles, fat, liver, and other cells close the door on insulin so that glucose can’t be delivered. There is one mineral that could help you to use insulin properly so that you don’t fall victim to either of these two scenarios: chromium.
While insulin regulates the movement of glucose in and out of your cells, chromium plays a lesser-known supporting role. This mineral is needed to keep the amount of blood sugar at a functional level and also to allow your body to use it correctly. In fact, insulin is thought to perhaps even use chromium in this whole blood sugar regulation. For these reasons, chromium supplements may be beneficial for you if you’re diabetic.
In a recent study conducted in Poland, a research team examined the anti-diabetic potential of chromium in diabetic rats. The rats were divided into four groups and fed either a control diet or high-fat diets with or without supplementary chromium.
After six weeks, the researchers found that chromium didn’t affect the blood glucose levels of the rats, but the mineral did significantly improve insulin sensitivity and reduced serum levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They concluded that chromium has a significant anti-diabetic effect.
Want to boost your chromium levels? Before you reach for a supplement, try adding these foods to your weekly diet:
— Beef
— Beer
— Brewer’s yeast
— Brown rice
— Cheese
— Turkey
— Fish
— Whole grains
Most people get less than the recommended range of this mineral each day. It is estimated that only one in 10 Americans has enough chromium in his or her diet. With the diabetes rate climbing due to weight problems and poor diets, some doctors are suggesting that people take chromium supplements (in small doses) to help them regain blood glucose control.
For information on how vitamin D could also help reduce your risk for diabetes, read This Vitamin Could Help Shield You From Diabetes.