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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bleak on December 22, 2004, at 8:43:58
I found out that taking sugar reduces my anxiety very much.
This is especially helpful when the anxiety is accompanied by other symptoms of Hypoglycemia,
so I'm quite sure that is the underlying problem.But since sugar is very unhealthy and I want to treat the real problem and not just the symptoms,
could someone please tell me if there are any
supplements that could reduce the release of insulin?Thanks.
Posted by jujube on December 22, 2004, at 9:35:40
In reply to Low Blood Sugar Anxiety, posted by bleak on December 22, 2004, at 8:43:58
I have been through the same thing, and, most recently, was experiencing anxiety and other hypoglygemia symptoms in the mornings. Based on some reading I did, I began taking chromium supplements (about 375 mcg) before bed. Chromium is said to improve glucose tolerance and stabilize blood sugar levels. The reference book that I use suggests between 200 and 600 mcg to be of value for hypoglycemia. It is also recommended that a dose be taken upon rising (before food). I have noticed a difference since adding the chromium at night.
The other thing you might want to consider is, instead of eating sugar for relief, having a protein snack (cheese and crackers, almonds, banana with peanut butter) when you experience symptoms as well as eating 6 small meals a day, instead of 3 large meals. This, apparently, is a much better approach for relieving hypoglycemia symptoms, including associated anxiety. I have actually gotten into the habit of carrying a small bag of almonds in my purse for emergencies.
Good luck to you.
Tamara
> I found out that taking sugar reduces my anxiety very much.
>
> This is especially helpful when the anxiety is accompanied by other symptoms of Hypoglycemia,
> so I'm quite sure that is the underlying problem.
>
> But since sugar is very unhealthy and I want to treat the real problem and not just the symptoms,
> could someone please tell me if there are any
> supplements that could reduce the release of insulin?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
Posted by Marley on December 28, 2004, at 20:55:55
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety » bleak, posted by jujube on December 22, 2004, at 9:35:40
> I have been through the same thing, and, most recently, was experiencing anxiety and other hypoglygemia symptoms in the mornings. Based on some reading I did, I began taking chromium supplements (about 375 mcg) before bed. Chromium is said to improve glucose tolerance and stabilize blood sugar levels. The reference book that I use suggests between 200 and 600 mcg to be of value for hypoglycemia. It is also recommended that a dose be taken upon rising (before food). I have noticed a difference since adding the chromium at night.
> >
>Tamara, that's interesting what you said about taking a chromium supplement to help reduce anxiety. I was just thinking of posting a message to ask if anyone had tried Brewer's yeast before to help reduce anxiety. I'd heard it could help, and the article I found on it said it helps regulate moods by providing chromium. The link for the article is:
http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20031014-000003.html
So when you wrote that you were actually taking a chromium supplement, that really caught my eye. I tried the Brewer's yeast for a couple of days, 2 Tbl. in a glass of water, and I think it may have actually helped take some of the edginess away. But it is pretty nasty tasting, and had some side affects for me such as a couple minutes of feeling nauseous. Maybe a straight chromium supplement is a better choice!
-Marley
Posted by jujube on December 28, 2004, at 21:04:45
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety, posted by Marley on December 28, 2004, at 20:55:55
Marley,
It is my understanding that Brewer's Yeast also contains some B vitamins (B-1 (Thiamin), B-2 (riboflavin) and B-3 (Niacin), all of which are also useful for anxiety, particularly B-3. So, you also might want to consider taking a B-complex and perhaps adding some extra B-3 in the form of niacinimide (if you are not already doing so).
Tamara
Posted by Marley on December 29, 2004, at 20:43:16
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety » Marley, posted by jujube on December 28, 2004, at 21:04:45
Hi Tamara, thanks about the advice on the B vitamins. It’s worth a try!
Also, I re-read that article I mentioned above, and it has some cautionary notes about the safety of chromium supplements towards the end of the article. I'm not sure if they warrant real concern or not, but wanted to make sure to let you know about them.
-Marley
Posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:36:05
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety, posted by Marley on December 29, 2004, at 20:43:16
Hi Marley,
There is a thread on niacinimide above which you may find of interest. Kara S and others have had good results using niacinimide for anxiety. My mom has started using it (after my constant badgering), and she is feeling much more relaxed and is not worrying as much.
Thanks for the warning about the chromium. I had heard that only chromium picolinate was problematic and had some safety concerns. I, however, have been using another form of chromium - GTF chromium. Nevertheless, I will do a little research to make sure I am not using something that may cause problems. Thanks for the tip.
Tamara
Hi Tamara, thanks about the advice on the B vitamins. It’s worth a try!
>
> Also, I re-read that article I mentioned above, and it has some cautionary notes about the safety of chromium supplements towards the end of the article. I'm not sure if they warrant real concern or not, but wanted to make sure to let you know about them.
>
> -Marley
>
Posted by Marley on December 30, 2004, at 18:38:39
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety » Marley, posted by jujube on December 29, 2004, at 21:36:05
> Hi Marley,
>
> There is a thread on niacinimide above which you may find of interest. Kara S and others have had good results using niacinimide for anxiety. My mom has started using it (after my constant badgering), and she is feeling much more relaxed and is not worrying as much.
>
> Thanks for the warning about the chromium. I had heard that only chromium picolinate was problematic and had some safety concerns. I, however, have been using another form of chromium - GTF chromium. Nevertheless, I will do a little research to make sure I am not using something that may cause problems. Thanks for the tip.
>
> Tamara
>
Hi Tamara-Yes, I'd seen the posts on niacinimide above and found them very interesting. If your mom and people here are having good results with it reducing their anxiety, I'm definitely interested in checking it out!
Also, it turns out that the specific type of chromium supplement that the article I mentioned (above) warns about is chromium picolinate. But they also make some generalized statements that more needs to be learned about the safety of chromium supplements; it is hard to know from their wording if they are just referring to the chromium picolinate supplements or if they mean chromium supplements in general. So who knows! If you do find out more about it, I'd be interested in what you learn!
Thanks,
Marley
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 30, 2004, at 19:39:04
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety, posted by Marley on December 30, 2004, at 18:38:39
> > Hi Marley,
> >
> > There is a thread on niacinimide above which you may find of interest. Kara S and others have had good results using niacinimide for anxiety. My mom has started using it (after my constant badgering), and she is feeling much more relaxed and is not worrying as much.
> >
> > Thanks for the warning about the chromium. I had heard that only chromium picolinate was problematic and had some safety concerns. I, however, have been using another form of chromium - GTF chromium. Nevertheless, I will do a little research to make sure I am not using something that may cause problems. Thanks for the tip.
> >
> > Tamara
> >
> Hi Tamara-
>
> Yes, I'd seen the posts on niacinimide above and found them very interesting. If your mom and people here are having good results with it reducing their anxiety, I'm definitely interested in checking it out!
>
> Also, it turns out that the specific type of chromium supplement that the article I mentioned (above) warns about is chromium picolinate. But they also make some generalized statements that more needs to be learned about the safety of chromium supplements; it is hard to know from their wording if they are just referring to the chromium picolinate supplements or if they mean chromium supplements in general. So who knows! If you do find out more about it, I'd be interested in what you learn!
>
> Thanks,
> MarleyIt's not chromium that is of concern, it's the picolinate. Picolinic acid causes DNA damage. Apparently, and rather coincidentally, chromium increases the adverse effects of picolinate. Chromium ions alone do nothing adverse.
There were earlier posts about this. I'll see if I can find them.
Lar
Posted by Marley on January 1, 2005, at 17:14:27
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety » Marley, posted by Larry Hoover on December 30, 2004, at 19:39:04
> > Also, it turns out that the specific type of chromium supplement that the article I mentioned (above) warns about is chromium picolinate. But they also make some generalized statements that more needs to be learned about the safety of chromium supplements; it is hard to know from their wording if they are just referring to the chromium picolinate supplements or if they mean chromium supplements in general. So who knows! If you do find out more about it, I'd be interested in what you learn!
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Marley
>
> It's not chromium that is of concern, it's the picolinate. Picolinic acid causes DNA damage. Apparently, and rather coincidentally, chromium increases the adverse effects of picolinate. Chromium ions alone do nothing adverse.
>
> There were earlier posts about this. I'll see if I can find them.
>
> Lar
>Thanks Lar; that's good to know.
-Marley
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 1, 2005, at 21:37:55
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety, posted by Marley on January 1, 2005, at 17:14:27
> > > Also, it turns out that the specific type of chromium supplement that the article I mentioned (above) warns about is chromium picolinate. But they also make some generalized statements that more needs to be learned about the safety of chromium supplements; it is hard to know from their wording if they are just referring to the chromium picolinate supplements or if they mean chromium supplements in general. So who knows! If you do find out more about it, I'd be interested in what you learn!
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Marley
> >
> > It's not chromium that is of concern, it's the picolinate. Picolinic acid causes DNA damage. Apparently, and rather coincidentally, chromium increases the adverse effects of picolinate. Chromium ions alone do nothing adverse.
> >
> > There were earlier posts about this. I'll see if I can find them.
> >
> > Lar
> >
>
> Thanks Lar; that's good to know.
> -MarleyHere's a link to a chromium picolinate post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/257782.htmlThe takehome message is that under certain lab conditions, in a petri dish, picolinic acid can cause disruption in DNA. No evidence for similar damage was found from other chromium compounds. Picolinic acid is a natural component in the body, coming downstream in tryptophan metabolism, so it's awfully hard to determine if there is a real risk in vivo, in living humans.
Lar
Posted by Marley on January 2, 2005, at 13:56:53
In reply to Re: Low Blood Sugar Anxiety » Marley, posted by Larry Hoover on January 1, 2005, at 21:37:55
This is the end of the thread.
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