Blood sugar

Blood sugar supplements: chromium, berberine and plant extracts

Chromium is an essential trace element that you obtain through your diet. Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels and to the normal metabolism of macronutrients, i.e. the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. This makes chromium the nutrient in this collection with an officially approved health claim in this area.

In our range you will find chromium picolinate from LUTO Supplements, Vit4ever, Swanson and Osavi, glucomannan with chromium from Vit4ever, berberine HCl from LUTO Supplements, Vit4ever and German Elite Nutrition, and combination formulas with cinnamon, gymnema and fenugreek. Organic Gymnema from Himalaya and African Mango from Swanson are also in this collection.

What is chromium?

Chromium is a trace element: your body only needs small amounts of it, but cannot produce it itself. The reference intake for adults is 40 micrograms per day. Chromium occurs in small amounts in, among others, whole grain products, legumes, nuts, broccoli, meat and cheese. Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels and to the normal metabolism of macronutrients. A chromium supplement can be a supplement for those who want to top up their intake in a simple way alongside a varied diet.

Chromium picolinate and other forms

In supplements, chromium is always bound to another substance. Chromium picolinate, chromium bound to picolinic acid, is the form that is most commonly used and that you will find in this collection from LUTO Supplements, Vit4ever, Swanson and Osavi. Most products contain 200 micrograms of chromium per tablet or capsule. Look at the label for the amount of chromium itself and not just the amount of chromium picolinate, and stick to the recommended daily dose on the packaging. The products differ mainly in form (tablet or capsule) and in the number of pieces per package.

Berberine

Berberine is a yellow-colored alkaloid, a plant substance that is naturally found in the root and bark of, among others, the barberry (Berberis aristata and Berberis vulgaris). Berberine HCl is usually used in supplements, often standardized to 97 percent. In this collection you will find separate berberine from LUTO Supplements and Vit4ever, Berberine Complex from German Elite Nutrition with, among others, chromium, Invictus GDA from German Elite Nutrition and a complex from Swanson with cinnamon, gymnema and fenugreek. For berberine itself, there are no approved health claims in the EU; therefore we only describe what it is.

Glucomannan with chromium

Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber from the tuber of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac). The fiber can bind a lot of water and swells up in contact with moisture. In Glucomannan Konjac Root + Chromium from Vit4ever, glucomannan is combined with chromium, which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Always take glucomannan with plenty of water, for example a large glass per serving, and not right before bedtime. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging.

Gymnema, cinnamon, fenugreek and African mango

Gymnema sylvestre is a climbing plant from India that is used in the Ayurvedic tradition; Himalaya offers it as Organic Gymnema. Ceylon cinnamon is the bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree and fenugreek is a legume whose seeds are known as a spice. African mango is the seed of the Irvingia gabonensis, a tree from West Africa. These plant extracts are in separate supplements and in combination formulas. For these herbs there are (yet) no approved health claims in the EU, therefore we do not mention any effects.

Nutrition and lifestyle

A supplement is a supplement and not a replacement for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises, among other things, to eat enough vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and legumes daily, exercise regularly and limit sugary drinks. Those who want to supplement chromium can combine it with a diet in which whole grain products, nuts and vegetables have a permanent place.

What to pay attention to when using?

Stick to the recommended daily dose on the packaging and do not just combine multiple products with chromium or berberine. If you use medication or are under treatment by a doctor, always consult your doctor or pharmacist first before you start using one of these supplements. Berberine is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Keep supplements out of reach of children. A supplement never replaces medical advice or prescribed medication.