Chromium Picolinate, Blood Sugar, Metabolism, And Sugar Cravings
Chromium picolinate is a dietary supplement initially formulated to treat chromium deficiency. In the past few years, it has been associated with the management of diabetes as elemental chromium is required in minute quantities for the metabolism of glucose. There have been numerous hypotheses as to how it helps with blood sugar problems, though all of them remain to be proven.
Impaired glucose tolerance is one of the symptoms of chromium deficiency. Chromium is in fact a dietary mineral, and as such regular intake is necessary to support several physiological functions. This element is involved in metabolism, especially of fats and carbohydrates. Ironically, intestinal absorption of chromium is compromised in the presence of simple sugars, such as glucose, in the diet.
Chromium picolinate and how it works
Improves Insulin Resistance
Blood sugar plays a central role in energy production. Glucose is the primary precursor of cellular energy in almost all tissues of the human body. Serum levels of glucose are regulated by the presence of insulin in the systemic circulation. When glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas releases the needed amounts of insulin. Individual cells respond to insulin, which promotes uptake of glucose.
Insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder, in which cells are not as responsive to insulin as they should be. This results in unregulated levels of glucose in the blood, and severely impaired glucose tolerance often leads to diabetes mellitus. Chromium picolinate works on the principle of improving insulin resistance as trace amounts of chromium is important in the utilization of glucose.
Increases Metabolic Rate
Chromium picolinate has been the most widely used synthetic supplement in recent history, and for good reason. Proponents argue that slightly high levels of chromium speed up the metabolism, and regular intake meets the chromium demands of cells. Also, chromium toxicity is very unlikely as the gastrointestinal tract tightly manages the absorption and excretion of elemental chromium.
Metabolism necessitates the participation of chromium in many levels. However, the availability of chromium in the foods we eat does not guarantee absorption as other components of the diet increases the expulsion of chromium together with other waste materials. Chromium picolinate is especially formulated to address this issue, thereby improving absorption in the intestines.
Suppresses Food Cravings
Supplementation of chromium picolinate has been commercially touted to aid weight loss. Apart from the role it plays in metabolism, this element exerts an effect on the productions and releases of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which supervises a host of physiological functions. Serotonin is responsible for food cravings, and hunger ensues as serotonin levels decrease.
Chromium picolinate is believed to influence the releases of serotonin. Elevated levels of serotonin curbs appetite and instructs the body to consume fewer calories. Regular intake of chromium picolinate induces weight loss, inasmuch as it suppresses high carbohydrate cravings. Of course, low carbohydrate intake contributes to better management of high glucose levels in the blood.
Give Chromium Picolinate A Try
If you struggle with sugar cravings give Chromium picolinate a try!