IT’S SO EASY!
Our bodies require the trace mineral chromium to balance blood sugar, control appetite and burn fat. But food grown in today’s mineraldepleted soil means 99% of women are significantly deficient. It is so dire, Fred Pescatore, M.D., says, “We no longer have a natural way to get chromium from our food. So we’re not getting any unless we take it.”
Chromium is needed to “open” cellular locks so the hormone insulin can ferry sugar out of the bloodstream and into cells for energy. When sugar isn’t used as energy, it inevitably gets deposited on the body as fat, leading to weight gain, not to mention metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes.
Yet bridging dietary gaps with supplements has posed its own challenges since readily available supplements like chromium chloride are poorly absorbed in the body. As a result, women who took them still couldn’t steady their blood sugar and enjoy easy weight loss.
But now, a more soluble, bioavailable form of chromium is helping women stabilize the numbers on their blood-sugar meters and bathroom scales. When chromium is paired with niacin (vitamin B-3) in a formulation called chromium GTF, it is six times more powerful. “It’s the carrier molecule of niacin that makes the difference,” says Dr. Pescatore.
Chromium attaches to the cell, allowing insulin to transport glucose across the cell membrane. Biochemist Ned Jensen, who discovered chromium GTF, explains, “It’s a magical thing that happens. With chromium GTF, insulin can finally do its job.”
That’s welcome news for anyone struggling with unwanted pounds or blood-sugar imbalances this holiday season. One woman FIRST spoke with shed 15 pounds in one week supplementing with chromium daily. And Alma Padilla, of Toledo, Ohio, lost 102 pounds in nine months when she started mixing chromium-rich Plexus Slim powder into her water. “I felt more in control of my decisions without that ‘hangry’ feeling. Plus, I’m more energized and my sleep improved. It’s been life-changing!” Bonus: Her blood-sugar readings improved from 349 to 87!
To get the results, continue with your usual diet and supplement with 600 to 1,000 mcg. of chromium GTF daily. And follow these insider tips to ensure effortless slimming…
Read the label. Not all chromium supplements are created equal. For optimal results, reach for products labeled “chromium GTF” (which can also be listed as “chromium polynicotinate”). These products contain niacin, making them up to six times more bioavailable to the body.
Time doses for optimal absorption. If you’re taking the maximum daily amount of chromium, you’ll want to space out your doses to ensure steady, proper absorption. “It’s best to take 200 mcg. multiple times throughout the day,” advises Dr. Pescatore, who notes that one of those doses can come in the form of a multivitamin. And while chromium is extremely safe, experts point out that medications like antacids can impair the body’s ability to use chromium.
Choose this formula. For the fastest results, opt for liquid chromium, putting the drops directly into your mouth. A product that meets the slimming criteria: Pounds and Inches Drops by Dirobi ($28 for 60 servings, at Dirobi.com), designed to burn 1 to 2 pounds per day. Each 1 ml. serving contains 500 mcg. of chromium GTF. For those who prefer the convenience of taking a capsule, nutrition expert
Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., recommends Nature’s Way GTF Chromium 200 mcg. ($6 for 100 servings, iHerb.com).
Pair it for extra long-term benefits. In the lab, Jensen noticed a synergistic relationship between chromium and certain vitamins and minerals. “They make each other work better together,” Jensen explains. For example, studies have proven that pairing chromium with manganese reduces joint pain and stiffness, pairing it with vitamin C lowers cholesterol and pairing it with zinc improves immunity. No wonder the market is filled with mineral blends containing chromium—from weight-loss powders that can be stirred into water to infused food
products and traditional multivitamin capsules. To try a multi with chromium GTF, consider MBi Nutraceuticals Bio-Naturalvite ($15 for 60 tablets, MBiForLife.com).
Load up on healthy foods.
Chromium GTF will help you lose weight no matter what diet plan you’re following, but to really rev results, Dr. Pescatore recommends a Mediterranean-style diet, like the one outlined in his bestselling book The
Hamptons Diet. The basics: Drink plenty of water, limit processed foods and load your plate with lean meats, low-starch vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms and spinach and “good” fats, including macadamia nuts and avocado, plus enjoy one serving of fruit per day.