Fight Diabetes with Chromium

Hopefully, by now most people know that being overweight or obese can pose serious health threats, and is not just a matter of self-image or vanity. Knowing this, it’s very frustrating for all of us that the tendency is to gain weight as we age, no matter what we do.

In fact, the association of obesity with the combination of insulin resistance (and its more severe form, type 2 diabetes), high cholesterol and high blood pressure is so common that it is now referred to as metabolic syndrome. Many clinicians and researchers argue over what initiates metabolic syndrome. Is it obesity, or is it insulin resistance? My feeling is that insulin resistance seems to lead to obesity, but that obesity is commonly a causation of insulin resistance. The story can cut both ways, so why be concerned with the question at all?

The important thing, and something you’re not likely to hear from your family physician, is that there are natural compounds available that are safe and effective against both obesity and insulin resistance. In particular, I recommend niacin-bound chromium, also referred to as chromium polynicotinate, because evidence suggests that it is both safe and effective long-term. In addition to overcoming insulin resistance and improving diabetes symptoms, niacin-bound chromium can:

• Hasten fat loss while preserving muscle

• Suppress free radical formation

• Lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind)

• Decrease systolic blood pressure

• Influence fluid and electrolyte balance

• Influence nitric oxide (NO) functions in the right direction

Finally, data from my own laboratory trials suggests that niacin-bound chromium may increase lifespan — sounds pretty good for a very safe and inexpensive dietary supplement! One word of caution, however. Evidence from my lab indicates that not all chromium compounds are equally effective. While many of my colleagues prefer to wait for more universal clinical trials, I believe such studies are years off. I feel so confident about niacin-bound chromium that I take it myself and have given it to my family for more than ten years now.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Chromium’s ability to regulate insulin levels is unmatched by almost any other substance, so if you are overweight or struggle with blood sugar imbalances, you may want to consider adding it to your supplements regimen. Be sure to choose a chromium supplement that is made with  niacin-bound chromium for the best results and long-term safety.