Balanced blood sugar levels are critical to overall health. When blood sugar is not kept in check and levels are continually elevated, health issues can occur, including weight gain.
Blood sugar (aka glucose) is the cellular energy we need that we get from the foods we eat. To keep dietary blood sugar levels balanced, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin that works to shuttle glucose from the blood into the cells. Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, and where stores are full in adipose tissue (body fat). Insulin also helps the body process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the diet. When cells become resistant to insulin, the body produces even more insulin in an attempt to lower blood sugar, but the opposite occurs, and blood sugar becomes elevated. This is known as insulin resistance.
Research shows that taking a special form of chromium, known as chromium picolinate, as a dietary supplement can help support healthy levels of blood sugar. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that scientific studies demonstrate can improve insulin sensitivity and enhance carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Those same studies also indicate that chromium is very safe at the recommended amount of 200 mcg per day.
In addition to helping regulate blood sugar, chromium picolinate has also been shown to help with weight loss by reducing food intake, carbohydrate cravings, and overall appetite. This is significant because, in some people with insulin resistance, weight gain and difficulty losing weight can be an associated problem.
Chromium picolinate is considered the preferred form as it is more easily absorbed by the body than other forms of chromium.
