If you are a frequent dieter, you may be deficient in certain trace minerals. A deficiency in trace minerals involved with glucose metabolism and insulin production may cause you to crave sugar. Deficiencies of these trace minerals, including chromium, vanadium, magnesium and zinc, are often caused by the lack of mineral-containing foods in your diet. Frequent dieting to lose weight can result in a vicious circle of going on a diet and then abandoning it because of intense sugar cravings. Talk to your physician about your need for mineral supplements to curb your sugar cravings.
Chromium
If you are like 90 percent of Americans, your diet is low, but not deficient, in chromium. This important mineral plays an integral part in GTF, or glucose tolerance factor, which is found in your kidney cells and is necessary for insulin to work effectively in bringing glucose into your cells for energy. A chromium deficiency may cause intense cravings for sugar. Natural sources of chromium include lean meats, pork kidney, asparagus, cheese, molasses, brewer's yeast and whole grains. Consult your doctor before taking chromium supplements to decrease your cravings for sugar.
Vanadium
Vanadium is found in shellfish, mushrooms, dill, parsley, wine, beer and whole grain products, as well as in artificially sweetened beverages. It is available in dietary supplements as vanadyl sulfate. According to the Diabetes Information Library, vanadium is needed by your muscles to obtain enough glucose for energy and also blocks the storage of excess glucose in fat cells by stabilizing insulin production. A vanadium deficiency may be the cause of some sugar cravings. Before taking vanadium to reduce cravings, discuss its use with your doctor.
Magnesium
If your body lacks magnesium, you may have strong cravings for sugar products, especially chocolate. According to Oregon State University, magnesium is an important factor in over 300 metabolic reactions in your body and is needed by every cell. Magnesium is involved with the regulation of glucose, insulin and the neurotransmitter dopamine. If you don't have enough magnesium in your diet, you may experience cravings for chocolate and sugar. Food sources of magnesium are soy beans, spinach, lima beans, almonds, hazelnuts, oat bran and brown rice. Talk to your doctor before taking zinc supplements to curb sugar cravings.
Zinc
Taking zinc supplements to ward off the cold virus may be popular, but zinc is also needed by your body for wound healing, blood clotting and proper insulin and glucose utilization. A zinc deficiency can result in low insulin levels, which may lead to a craving for sugar. Zinc is found in foods such as beef, pork, oysters, lobster, yogurt, chickpeas, almonds and oatmeal. It is also available as a dietary supplement, but consult your doctor before using it to stop sugar cravings.
References
- Diabetes Information Library; "Mineral Deficiencies and Food Cravings"; Carol Simontacchi
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Chromium; Steven D. Ehrlich; March 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vanadium; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Magnesium; Jane Higdon; April 2003
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
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