Does anyone know what natural supplements might help with insulin resistence?

Also, what type of exercise might be best? Walking slowly vs running, etc? Interval training????

Thank you.

Hi Vowel Lady,

I was dx'd with insulin resistance back in Feb. The doc put me on Metformin but I could not tolerate the full dose so I take a lower dose with my largest meals.

I also introduced a complex suplement called metaglycemx from metagenics. Its for insulin activity and glucose levels. It has several thinsg that they say are good for insulin resistance like chromium (a cofactor in insulin's ability to bind to insulin receptr sites and regulate blood sugar), alpha lipoic acid (antioxidant to help in the production of energy for cells) and cinnamon. I take two of these metaglycemx a day.

Other peple take stand alone supplements like the alpha lipoic acid. They have a newer one called R lipoic acid which you dont need as much of.

Some others take cinnamon capsules to help control sugar. Not the stuff in the baking aisle but in the supplement area. The cinnamon in the baking aisle can have impurities and over time not be good for you. The supplements are more pure.

I am sure some others will be along to offer suggestions.

Can I ask have you been dx'd with insulin resistance? Would you care to share your results? I am happy to share mine.

Hi Chicks!! Apparantly chromium picolate can help but I have not seen that much of a difference...maybe I was not patient enough.. Cinnamon yes....I think it makes a bit of improvement if only for the fact that it does help with cravings! I think Mrs.D may be able to help with this one!

Some links:

Chromium: From Marcia Zimmerman--- a very very good expert:

http://www.thenutritionsolution.com/...ndDiabetes.htm
R-lipoic acid:
This supplement has become affordable recently and is much better than alpha lipoic (which is a mix of racemic lipoic, 1/2 that doesn't work)
http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html
Lipoic acid also improves mitochondrial functions...it is a very good insurance for aging people. Lipoic acid reduces blood sugars, so must be used carefully in diabetics already on a treatment protocol. (drugs or drugs + insulin---where doses may need to be lowered.)

Cinnamon: This is persisting as useful. (somethings do not persist)
http://www.rxreview.info/columns/1.html
Cinnamon may prevent post-prandial glucose extremes.

Taurine: This nutrient is often recommended with inositol for weight loss and insulin sensitization:
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00003/art00003
Taurine improves heart function, CNS effects, and also improves gall bladder functions. It is not expensive, and not harmful

Diabetics also lose magnesium and inositol in the urine.
This is a little off topic of sensitizing insulin, but it is significant.

I see that this forum's name has changed? That is a big improvement IMO.

Many many people have metabolic syndrome (myself included). I have a serious genetic history of relatives
with diabetes. I am almost 62 and still skating away from this diagnosis. I wonder if I can succeed some days!
My mother became diabetic in her early 40's, and died in her early 50's, and still I am here with PCOS and
metabolic syndrome and no frank diabetes. It is a total uphill battle and money spent on things/diet to
prevent it. I think however, I will lose, this fight. Genetics always win.

Those here should be visiting our PN board too. People without a definite diabetic diagnosis are still prone to
peripheral neuropathy...and that can be attended to.
Benfotiamine... a form of thiamine B1... which is better and fat soluble has shown for many years in many
countries to be helpful for PN.

Thank you so very much Mrs.D....your help appreciated!! I wonder ifmy magnesium levels are low and causing such severe leg cramps at night!!

Best to take some magnesium.... start at 1/2 the RDA as listed on my
magnesium thread.

Remember...your heart needs it too. Low levels lead to arrhythmias.