From: Kurt Konietzko <kurttm@philly.infi.net>
>
> From: Eleanor Hayes-Cook <elle@europa.com>
> Subject: Re: Chromium and supplements: Deficiency present?
>
> theresa wrote"
> > "A few years ago, researchers found that diabetics who had chromium
> > *deficiencies* benefitted by a chromium supplement, in that their blood
> > sugars improved. However, if one does *not* have a chromium deficiency,
> > taking chromium is not likely to help. ALSO, somehow this information
> > made a giant leap to people claiming that chromium will aid in weight
> > loss...
>
> this is *not* true!"***well, actually many diabetics who get their bg's in
> control GAIN weight because they arent peeing the glucose out as they have
> been but are now absorbing into their cells. I'm on 2 diabetes mailing
> lists and
> have never heard this weight loss claim, altho there are many of us who
> take chromium for bg lowering.
> > I personally think the leap may have been because some of those diabetics
> > whose blood sugars came down may have also lost weight.
>
> ****Like so many things in the world, supps are a YMMV thing.
> I take chromium, along with several other supps, my bg's are now
> consistantly low enough to have been withdrawn from diabetic meds
> (Obviously I'm a Type II). With weight loss, healthier eating habits and
> available supps I hope to stay that way. I do however still test
> frequently.
> Any excesses may
> > eventually filter through our systems, but it makes our organs work much
> > harder to get them out of our bodies. It can affect our kidneys, liver,
> > etc. So, if a person already has any organ that is diseased, it will
> > damage it further, especially the kidneys.
>
> ****Doctors are very willing to do tests for organ function ie: kidney
> and liver. If one has healthy organs and is searching for non
> pharmacological ways of controlling chronic illness and has the financial
> ability to purchase supps that why not.??
>
> > So, this new knowledge tells me that before I take any supplements, I had
> > better find out if I have a deficiency first instead of just taking
> > something that is "supposed" to help.
>
> I requested testing for this from my doctor and was told the concept is
> 'worthless' and a waste of the lab time.
> This doctor now considers me his diabetic shining star but continues to
> discount the role that the supps might have in my excellent control.
> OTOH, the naturopath I consulted with, who is also a dietitian gives a
> great deal of credit to the supps.
> For me-after a few months, I will again turn myself into a lab rat and
> see what withdrawing from the supps does.
> BTW-I keep careful food and bg and supplement logs so this isn't a
> figment of an overactive imagination<g> or a placebo effect.
> elle
Nice post elle- you have a good approach IMHO.
Kurt Konietzko Ph.D. clinical and health psychologist