Glucose Tolerance Factor Chromium?

[EMKAY 53]

I was just reading about this supplement and was wondering if anyone has tried it and whether or not it has made any difference to you. Apparently chromium is difficult to reach adequate amounts and when we are low it causes the insulin response to kick in causing cravings etc. I am just wondering if anyone has found it to be effective or not? Thanks for your input.

Leanna

[Traci_M]

Hi EMKAY, Of course this is just MHO (my humble opinion), but I too heard alot about the product. I got a supplement from a diet clinic (one of the many diets I've tried) and didn't find a difference at all. Now, maybe that's just me, but I was working a low fat / low cal diet at the time and working out for about 2 months. I did lose some, but no more or less than would be expected from the diet alone. So, I guess what I've said is of no use! Personally, I didn't notice any difference. Maybe others have had different experiences.

You know, this is all part of the other thousands of things that we "hear" we need to do for our health / weight loss. Really, you know you've heard at least a few of these.....coconut extract, omega 3's, chromium, cortisol, flaxseed, wheat germ, green tea, apple cider vinegar, cayenne.....there are a million others. That's what makes it so difficult (IMO) for some, including me, to know what the heck we should be doing and eating and not eating! So much contradicting info out there. I guess the short answer is try it and see if it works for you!

I know this is more than you asked for....I just slipped on a soapbox!!
Let me know how it works if you try it!
Traci

[EMKAY 53]

No apologies necessary. I asked. I know...I've tried tons of other stuff. I just wondered because I have a huge appetite and notoriously slow weight loss, and thought this may be why. Thanks for your input, I havn't decided to take it yet. Apparently this is different than the chromium picolinate, but who knows. Thanks again :)

[black57]

I also tried the chromium picolinate and I seriously blame it for causing me to gain 10 lbs. I would never use it again.

[kebaldwin]

Chromium is used to help smooth out blood sugar. For most people that respond well to a low carb diet -- chromium is a must.

It is the crashing of the blood sugar that makes you so hungry. The chromium helps keep the blood sugar from crashing so usually the cravings go away.

When I was 300 pounds - I had to take 800 mcg per day (400 in morning and 400 mcg at night). THis is considered by some to be a lot -- but I suffered from Symdrome X / pre type 2 diabetes / metabolic syndrome. Likewise, a 150 pound person would only need half as much (400 mcg per day).

I don't know anything about the specific type of chromium you mentioned -- but I found this:

http://www.vitacost.com/CountryLifeGTFGlucoseToleranceFactorChromium

Glucose Tolerance Factor is chromium naturally bound to primary yeast

since we all know that

The best source of chromium is true brewer’s yeast

you may be on to something! My recommendation is take the GTF chromium for a month and then take regular Chromium Picolinate for a month and then go back to the GTF and let us know what your thoughts are.

here is more information about chromium in general:

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY=chromium

http://www.worldhealth.net/p/aadr-chromium.html

http://www.vitacost.com/articleResults.aspx?Ntk=articles&ss=1&Ntt=chromium

http://www.google.com/search?as_sitesearch=qualitycounts.com&q=chromium

http://www.vrp.com/vrpsearch.asp?c=1155693965625&k=/articlesearch.asp&m=/includes/vrp.css&p=no&s=0

http://www.supplementwatch.com/suplib/supplement.asp?DocId=1081

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/chromium/index.html

[NYNikki]

As a diabetic I take GTF Chromium.
I tried both - Chromium Picolinate and GTF Chromium. Chromium Picolinate makes me very tired and run down as where I don't feel that on the GTF Chromium. The GTF Chromium does cut my sugar cravings because when I ran out of it - the cravings started immediately - when I began taking it again the cravings subsided. Plus it stabilizes my glucose.

There is a difference:
The debate over chromium nicotinate and chromium picolinate has not been resolved. Our studies indicate that chromium nicotinate tends to be both absorbed and retained better than chromium picolinate. Since it is often true that various forms of nutritional elements have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the desired usage, we continue to be alert to the latest findings on all forms of chelated chromium, and under what conditions each would perform best for human consumption. Chromium is a key mineral used for weight loss.
This is the GTF Chromium I take:
http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/products.asp?stocknum=1801&language=1

** I have spoken in detail about unnecessary added fillers in supplements and Chromium is one to sometimes be over filled with them:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=305184

Nikki

[EMKAY 53]

I think I may try it just because it is pretty inexpensive. I have been low carbing forever, so I don't feel like I should be as hungry as I am. Thank-you all for your info. I havn't begun to look for it yet, so I don't know how available it is Canada. If it works for me I will let you all know :)

[Fuzzy_Bear]

Chromium is widely available in Canada - pretty much any health food store and most drug stores will have it.

Having started LCing on the Carbohydrate Addict's diet where chromium is the most recommended supplement, I've always taken it. As you say it's pretty inexpensive and anything that cuts back on the amount of insulin we need is good in my books :thup:

[NYNikki]

I havn't begun to look for it yet, so I don't know how available it is Canada. If it works for me I will let you all know :)

The website link I gave (where I get my GTF Chromium) does ship to Canada.
On the top right corner is a pull down menu - Select A Country.

Here is the Canada page:
http://www.naturessunshine.ca/

Here is the USA page:
http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/products.asp?stocknum=1801&language=1

Nikki

[bero48]

As a diabetic I take GTF Chromium.
I tried both - Chromium Picolinate and GTF Chromium. Chromium Picolinate makes me very tired and run down as where I don't feel that on the GTF Chromium. The GTF Chromium does cut my sugar cravings because when I ran out of it - the cravings started immediately - when I began taking it again the cravings subsided. Plus it stabilizes my glucose.

There is a difference:

This is the GTF Chromium I take:
http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/products.asp?stocknum=1801&language=1

** I have spoken in detail about unnecessary added fillers in supplements and Chromium is one to sometimes be over filled with them:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=305184

Nikki


Nikki, Do you take your Chromium with or without food or does it matter?
Please answer in my journal in case I loose this and cant find the sight again.
Thanks

[NYNikki]

Nikki, Do you take your Chromium with or without food or does it matter?
Please answer in my journal in case I loose this and cant find the sight again.
Thanks

Hi Doris,

No, I don't take it with food. I take GTF Chromium first thing when I wake up (empty stomach) and again before bed.
http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/glucose.html

Nikki

[NYNikki]

I should of stated in my above post that I switched from Nature's Sunshine GTF Chromium to now using Nature's Sunshine SugarReg (contain's GTF Chromium).

I am weining myself off all CELLULOSE products and GTF Chromium has...Other Ingredients: Cellulose (plant fiber), stearic acid, and magnesium stearate. http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/products.asp?stocknum=1801&language=1

SugarReg: Other Ingredients: Gelatin and water
http://www.naturessunshine.com/products/catalog/ProductLabel.asp?stockNum=927

*The Nature's Sunshine GTF Chromium is an excellent product if you don't have a cellulose issue. It's a personal issue of mine to become cellulose-free!

Nikki

[Nica]

I'm totally confused about this mineral. I read enough to suggest I go for GTF rather than picolinate, as they seem to have quite different effects. But after visiting my local health stores, as well as checking out online stores, I'm left baffled.

My local GNC shop (UK) stocks 'GTF Chromium', but the ingredients state it's picolinate.

I can't find any that say otherwise. Example: http://www.healthstore.uk.com/p64635/LIFEPLAN-Chromium-200microg-30-Capsules.html and, http://www.althealth.co.uk/products/details.php?id=5246

According to those descriptions, it's perfect for blood sugar regulation, yet they're both picolinate.

And what's polynicotinate? I've seen that listed as well.
http://www.solgar.co.uk/modules/shop/view.asp?catid=11&Prodcode=E875

Help. :)

[kebaldwin]

Now that I have looked into it -- I would recommend the GTF instead of the regular

http://www.interhealthusa.com/products/chromemate.aspx