Rev Your Engine

For Both Insulin Function and Metabolism

Over 18 million Americans have Type II Diabetes and it is estimated nearly one third of our population has insulin resistance, also known as Syndrome X.

Most everyone knows that all mammals have insulin, a hormone that functions in the bloodstream by controlling certain body processes. The vast majority of the population will experience ineffective insulin, which can lead to a number of conditions including heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

One mineral that will help control insulin is chromium, an essential element that is necessary for both insulin function and metabolism. Studies have shown that getting enough of a useable form of chromium can be difficult - even for the diet conscious person. Depending on age and health conditions, a person may need up to 1000mcg per day. Tests show that the average diet can contain less than 25 micrograms of chromium, indicating a need for supplementation.

Considering the amount of information and forms of chromium available, choosing the best one can be confusing. Chromium has been demonstrated repeatedly to be poorly absorbed in the salt form: chromium chloride. The picolinate form moves the chromium into the bloodstream where it has proven to be beneficial in preventing and helping conditions such as diabetes, hypoglycemia and obesity. This form has been used in most research and has shown positive results. Chromium picolinate, discovered by Dr. Gary Evans, Ph.D., has been shown to control blood fat and sugar, body fat, food cravings and osteoporosis. Over 200 studies conducted over the past 30 years have all confirmed the safety and effectiveness of Chromium picolinate

Insulin resistance could start soon after a person is born. With the aging process and overuse of sugar, health problems can occur. Long-term sugar intake and decreased chromium in the diet may cause the cells to work ineffectively. This makes the cells keep glucose instead of letting the body burn it. A chain reaction starts. The muscles reject insulin, therefore pushing the glucose into the fat cells and liver and disrupting the glucose transport system. Excess glucose is forced into the urine and causes the pancreas to stop proper insulin production. At this point, insulin resistance turns into diabetes.

In August 2004, the issue of chromium in insulin resistance was addressed at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) in Indianapolis. Over 30 years of laboratory and clinical research has show that chromium is an essential mineral required for normal insulin function and metabolism. Also a healthy balance between chromium levels and insulin-related diseases can be kept in check by the picolinate form of chromium especially in people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Chromium picolinate is not toxic at ordinary levels of consumption. The body is able to eliminate any excess easily. It has been supported by Food and Chemical Toxicology as a Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) ingredient. Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Toxicology Program (NTP), and leading academic institutions documented extensive research for this safety review. Their conclusions showed the absence of genetic toxicity.