1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Preventing diabetes: Questions about chromium supplements, chia seeds

Posted by sarasotababe @sarasotababe, May 24, 2016

Have you heard about the efficacy of taking chromium supplements for preventing and/or regulating diabetes?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @sarasotababe "As a prevention of Diabetes, will 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds help? Any dangers?" + (show)
@sarasotababe

As a prevention of Diabetes, will 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds help? Any dangers?

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@johnwburns can you post the link please?

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sarasotababe | @sarasotababe | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing diabetes. There is great information in this thread that I think other members will appreciate.

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However I can help others, I will gladly undertake. In fact, if you're looking for any volunteers, I have a communications background.

Pre-diabetes can be stressful, especially if you're thin and exercise. What else is left if not nutrition. Of course, a pancreas that celebrates lots of birthdays isn't helpful.

We need to advocate for our own health. And I wish a doctor could be more of a nutritionist.

I don't see any harm taking chia seeds, but I just don't know the duration or amount, although I would imagine that 1 1/2 Tablespoons sprinkled over the course of a day would not encourage "furry animals" to take residence inside.

Colleen, thanks for your feedback and references.

Sandy

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JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing diabetes. There is great information in this thread that I think other members will appreciate.

Jump to this post

Have a look at alpha lipoid acid. Lots of studies showing possible impact on blood sugar, among other things.

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JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @sarasotababe "As a prevention of Diabetes, will 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds help? Any dangers?" + (show)
@sarasotababe

As a prevention of Diabetes, will 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds help? Any dangers?

Jump to this post

Sorry, I do that a lot. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp/Pages/default.aspx

As far as supplements, there is a lot out there for a few of them that may have legs. Alpha lipoic acid is one. Vitamin D is another. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4792019/

I went crazy on supplements when I found out that I had cancer and was told to stop by Dr Stephen Freedland at Duke, reiterated by the radiation oncologist at Mayo. Dr Freedland has dome a lot of interesting stuff on diet and prostate cancer survival.

But I digress. Hope that you are enjoying the holiday.

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sarasotababe | @sarasotababe | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing diabetes. There is great information in this thread that I think other members will appreciate.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your diligent follow-up. Having researched about the alpha lipoic acid, I've decided to continue with sprinkling three times a day to see whether inclusion positively affects my A1C.

REPLY
JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Jul 3, 2016
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe - I merged the 2 discussion threads that you started referring to supplements and preventing diabetes. There is great information in this thread that I think other members will appreciate.

Jump to this post

Remember that no supplement is innocuous so caution is the order of the day. I was going to let you know about something surprising that I found tonight while looking into one of the problems I'm dealing with, slow heart rate that appeared in the last few weeks. Not the answer to my question but it turns out that potassium has an effect on insulin release and utilization. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3197792/
The article explains it better than I could. This crossed my path because I take a diuretic for hypertension and it can deplete potassium, which can slow heart rate. If you're at low risk for low potassium you can probably ignore it. Or, since potassium seems to reduce all cause mortality, eat more beans and fruit. Supplements can be risky and should only be taken with a Dr's blessing.
If I see anything else I'll pass it on.

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ankie | @ankie | Jan 10, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe, We took your question to a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. She writes: "Chromium is considered “likely..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe, We took your question to a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. She writes:

"Chromium is considered “likely safe” when taken by mouth and used short term (1000 mcg daily for up to 6 months), it is “possibly safe” when used long term (up to 2 years). There is evidence that shows chromium can decrease fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and can increase insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. Some newer studies suggest that chromium may also help those with type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Not all studies show theses positive results, however, and some of the research indicates that the supplementation is more beneficial to people with poor nutrition or those who may have low chromium levels. In general, this is generally accepted as a safe natural product to help with diabetes. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are taking it so they may follow your progress."

I also found this article about chia seeds written by Allie Wergin, registered dietician http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/chia-the-nutrition-packed-power-seed

Good for you for being proactive about your health.

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Tried to open page on chia seeds but got the mention "page not found". Any other info on chia seeds since I'm interested as a diabetic person.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 10, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sarasotababe, We took your question to a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. She writes: "Chromium is considered “likely..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sarasotababe, We took your question to a Mayo Clinic pharmacist. She writes:

"Chromium is considered “likely safe” when taken by mouth and used short term (1000 mcg daily for up to 6 months), it is “possibly safe” when used long term (up to 2 years). There is evidence that shows chromium can decrease fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and can increase insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. Some newer studies suggest that chromium may also help those with type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Not all studies show theses positive results, however, and some of the research indicates that the supplementation is more beneficial to people with poor nutrition or those who may have low chromium levels. In general, this is generally accepted as a safe natural product to help with diabetes. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you are taking it so they may follow your progress."

I also found this article about chia seeds written by Allie Wergin, registered dietician http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/chia-the-nutrition-packed-power-seed

Good for you for being proactive about your health.

Jump to this post

Hi Ankie,
The article cited above no longer exists. Here are some others I found that may be of interest:

- CHIA: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings from WebMD http://wb.md/2iZrDbz
- A Chia Pet for diabetes? from Harvard Health http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-chia-pet-for-diabetes-20101217923
- 7 New Diabetes Superfoods You Should Try from Everyday Health http://bit.ly/2ibi7oA

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