Living Well
4 Dietary Supplements to Help Control Your Sugar Cravings
Sep 15, 2017Do you have sugar cravings and then feel guilty about overindulging in sugar? Sugar cravings can often get out of hand, and it is important to know how to stop them. Let’s find out 4 dietary supplements to stop sugar cravings.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays an important role in lowering insulin resistance. In a study conducted in Newfoundland, it was found that a higher intake of magnesium is strongly linked with reduced insulin resistance. Thus, it is very beneficial for overweight and obese individuals.
When the body experiences low levels of magnesium, we crave for chocolates. The magnesium-rich cocoa in chocolates satisfies our cravings. But there are several other healthier sources of magnesium. These include seeds, nuts, beans, fish and leafy green vegetables.
Chromium Picolinate
While the human body does not require lots of chromium, it is essential for the slow release of sugar in the body. Supplementing with chromium helps in normalizing blood sugar levels. It also helps in improving blood sugar utilizations. In a pilot research, 113 patients were given 600 mug of chromium picolinate. It was seen that chromium helped in suppressing carbohydrate and sugar cravings and normalizing appetites. Another study mentions that chromium picolinate also helps in reducing weight gain.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema Sylvestre is known as a sugar destroyer in Ayurveda. The chemical compounds in this herb help in curbing sugar cravings. A study was conducted on 22 patients who were given this herb. The patients showed a significant reduction in blood sugar. In fact, five of those patients were able to discontinue their regular drug they were using for controlling blood sugar. This also helps in weight loss, controlling blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Cinnamon
Research indicates that chromium and the chemicals in cinnamon improve fasting blood sugar. Cinnamon also increases lean body mass in the human body. Another study carried out by the American Diabetic Association shows that regular intake of cinnamon lowers blood glucose levels in the body. Since cinnamon effectively controls blood glucose levels in the body, it also helps in lowering the sugar cravings. Yeast and gut bacteria are some other causes of sugar cravings. Cinnamon is known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity. And this makes it an effective supplement to curb these cravings.
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.
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References:
Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving. J Psychiatr Pract. 2005 Sep;11(5):302-14. PubMed PMID: 16184071.
Anton, S. D., Morrison, C. D., Cefalu, W. T., Martin, C. K., Coulon, S., Geiselman, P., … Williamson, D. A. (2008). Effects of Chromium Picolinate on Food Intake and Satiety. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 10(5), 405–412. http://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2007.0292
Tiwari, P., Mishra, B. N., & Sangwan, N. S. (2014). Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Gymnema sylvestre: An Important Medicinal Plant. BioMed Research International, 2014, 830285. http://doi.org/10.1155/2014/830285
Anderson RA. Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity. Proc Nutr Soc. 2008 Feb;67(1):48-53. doi: 10.1017/S0029665108006010. PubMed PMID: 18234131.
Khan, A., Safdar, M., Ali Khan, M. M., Khattak, K. N., Anderson, R. A. Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes Crossref DOI link: https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.26.12.3215
