Individuals with diabetes face a fine balancing act in regulating blood glucose levels and reducing the risks of high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke. Medications help to maintain this balance, and the supplements chromium picolinate and biotin might help to enhance these effects for improved diabetes control. Chromium picolinate is a mineral that is essential for the body in trace amounts. Biotin is a B-vitamin and an essential nutrient obtained through the diet and supplements. Medical studies report that complementary therapy with chromium picolinate and biotin can help control glucose levels as well as cholesterol.
Step 1
See your doctor for your regular monthly checkup. Have your blood glucose levels tested to assess your diabetes control. Talk to your doctor about taking chromium picolinate and biotin supplements in conjunction with your prescription diabetes medication or insulin therapy.
Step 2
Purchase chromium picolinate and biotin supplements. Ensure that the supplements you are purchasing are suitable for diabetics. Read the product labels carefully to ensure you are not allergic or sensitive to any of the added ingredients in the tablets.
Step 3
Take 600 micrograms of chromium picolinate and 2 milligrams of biotin daily. This amount was recommended in a study conducted by Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. This therapy will take at least four weeks before results are seen.
Tips and Warnings
- Chromium picolinate and biotin are thought to work by enhancing the glucose uptake by muscle cells, helping to decrease blood glucose levels. This complementary therapy might also help reduce cholesterol levels and body fat, and increase lean muscle tissue.
- The research on chromium picolinate and biotin are pilot studies, and this therapy is not yet approved by the FDA for the treatment of diabetic glucose control. This complementary treatment should only be used in addition to prescribed diabetes medication. Do not reduce or stop your glucose control medication without permission from your doctor; to do so can lead to serious health problems.
Things You'll Need
- Biotin supplements
- Chromium picolinate supplements
References
- "Diabetics Technology Therapeutics"; "The Effect of Chromium Picolinate and Biotin Supplementation on Glycemic Control in Poorly Controlled Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus"; G.M. Singer and J. Geohas; 2006
- Nuturna.com: Chromium and Biotin
- "Diabetes Management"; "Use of Chromium Picolinate and Biotin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes"; J.P. Fuhr et al; 2005
- Drugs.com: Chromium Picolinate
