Chromium

laneybugsmom · 03-30-2006, 02:35 AM

Ok so Ive scoured the old posts and done some research through other websites about Chromium. I have a few questions. Ive read its a good alternative to Metformin, which is what my dr gave me a year or more ago. He was a jerk so I havent been back, but I know my levels are not what they should be. At the time he said I was IR, definately borderline type 2. And I cannot lose weight at all. The only thing Ive managed to lose was water weight when I had the stomach flu and that certainly came right back the moment I was better...blah!

Anyway, I thought I'd give Chromium a try. Im already doing NPC for AF and it works (thank goodness better than popping Provera pills!). So far Im loving these more natural ways.

Im not a big eater, its hard for me to even sit down and eat breakfast and sometimes lunch, I just don't get hungry, but I know and was told I shouldnt be skipping meals. Ive tried low-carbing by watching carb intake (like Atkins) but I failed miserably. A few years ago I did ok with Slim Fast, that was before the pcos symptoms got too far out of hand. So I was thinking of starting Chromium and doing the low carb Slim Fast shakes....they wont drag me down in the mornings and at lunch like breakfast and lunch tends to do and I can work in quick healthy snacks in between and do the whole "sensible" dinner thing at night.

So with that plan in place...Im still curious as to what people prefer to take, the GTF or the picolinate? I know there is a 3rd but I havent read too many taking that one. At one time picolinate was considering unsafe but they changed their minds about that. And what have been your experiences so far? Any side effects from taking either? I THINK Im going to pick up the GTF since it seems to be considered "the safest" anyway and see what that does. I know its worked in lowering levels but has anyone experienced decent weight loss from using it too? First and foremost I want to take it as a replacement to Met to get my levels in line but I'd like to think some weight loss is an added bonus!

Thanks!

dynamicdoula · 04-01-2006, 01:55 AM

Wow, you're way more educated about this than I am- I just picked up whatever I saw at the store that looked the 'best' (nice packaging?

).

Do you have any links? I'd love to do more reading.

MamaBecs · 04-01-2006, 04:38 AM

I read somewhere that Chromium was found to be dangerous, but I would really love to try it. What would you advise?

laneybugsmom · 04-02-2006, 07:50 PM

Well I know there was some mixed reviews on the chromium picolinate, once considered unsafe, now most say it is safe...I'm still finding that some say high doses can be "toxic", but then that can be said about any medication, supplement, herb, or vitamin right? The Chromium GTF has never been regarded as unsafe. Some have had no change taking the GTF and prefer the picolinate, so at this point I say it comes down to preference. I still think I'll try the GTF first. Chromium is #2 in sales only to Calcium where supplements are concerned, millions of Americans take it, so why not give it a try, right? And if we happen to get lucky, it will react just as Metformin is supposed it and I can say, I'd be one happy camper! Best advice before trying anything though, just do a search around the message boards and read what others are saying. Took me about an hour after searching for "Chromium" related posts. Good luck and if you do try, please post soon and let us know how it's going!