Chromium picolinate and blood sugar
In this study, 71 people with type 2 diabetes and poorly controlled long- term average blood sugar levels took 600 mcg of chromium picolinate per day, or a placebo. After four months, the chromium picolinate group saw long-term average blood sugar (A1C) lowered by 1.9 while the placebo group declined 1.0.
The chromium picolinate group also saw fasting blood sugar levels decline by 31 mg/dL compared to 14 for placebo, and after-meal blood sugar levels were 37 mg/dL lower for chromium picolinate compared to 11.5 for placebo.
Discussing the findings, doctors said they don’t know exactly how chromium picolinate improves blood sugar control but that research suggests chromium may play a role in insulin resistance and sensitivity by helping replace failing insulin receptor cells.
Berberine, blood sugar, lipids, and pressure
Doctors in this study reviewed 27 trials covering 2,569 people with type 2 diabetes, elevated lipids and blood pressure who typically took 500 mg of berberine two to three times per day or a placebo.
Overall, those who took berberine along with lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise counseling had lower fasting, after-meal, and long-term average blood sugar levels. Berberine with oral lipid-lowering drugs lowered triglycerides more, and raised HDL— the “good” cholesterol—more than oral lipid drugs alone.
For blood pressure, those taking berberine together with lifestyle interventions tended to have lower blood pressure than either placebo or lifestyle interventions alone.
Reference: Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology; October, 2015, Vol. 32, 66-72
Natural Insights for Well Being January 2016
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