Type 2 diabetes: Add this supplement to your diet to lower blood sugar

Type 2 diabetes is a condition whereby your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar is the main sugar found in blood and is an important source of energy and nutrients for the body. The pancreas usually aids the absorption and storage of blood sugar so when the pancreas is out of action, blood sugar levels rise uncontrollably.

Additionally, in a large study of over 62,000 adults, the likelihood of having diabetes was 27 percent lower in those who took dietary supplements containing chromium.

According to an Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Vermont, “prior human studies have suggested that chromium picolinate decreases insulin levels and improves blood sugar metabolism in both obese people and people with type 2 diabetes”.

Echoing this positive assessment, Richard Anderson, of the US Department of Agriculture, said: “Essentially all the studies using chromium picolinate supplementation for impaired glucose intolerance and diabetes showed a positive effect.”

A useful way to distinguish between high carb and low carb foods is to follow the Glycemic Index (GI).

The GI is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels.

How do I know if I have type 2 diabetes?

As the NHS explains, many people have type 2 diabetes without realising.

This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:

• Urinating more than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying to
• Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
• Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• Blurred vision