Proper insulin function is essential for everyone’s good health, not just those with diabetes. Insulin is known as the "master metabolic hormone." When insulin functions normally it helps cells use glucose, which is one of the body’s most important energy sources. However, in some cases, the body is unable to properly use the insulin it produces. When this happens, glucose levels rise above normal in the bloodstream, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

What many people don’t realize is that proper insulin function is essential to maintaining good cardiovascular health and helping to promote healthy blood sugar, which is particularly important for those with a family history of diabetes or heart disease.

The American Heart Association says that more than 60 million Americans have insulin resistance. Research shows that poor blood sugar management can increase one’s risk for developing diabetes and heart disease, two conditions that are among the most prevalent, costly, and yet preventable of all health problems. Managing one’s insulin health today can help reduce the risk for these chronic diseases in the future.

Following are key indicators that insulin is not working properly:

• Severe carbohydrate cravings : Women most frequently crave chocolate, ice cream and bread while men crave protein foods like hot dogs, eggs and meat.

• Research shows that consumption of carbohydrate foods triggers the release of serotonin, an important chemical signal, or neurotransmitter, in the brain. The released serotonin, in turn, can suppress the desire for carbohydrates. Some people may unconsciously be using carbohydrates as a sedative, capitalizing on serotonin's sleep-inducing property.
• Additionally, studies indicate that people who consume high-carbohydrate meals/snacks are less alert, more fatigued and more depressed compared to those who eat a more balanced diet.

• Excess weight in the mid-section : Starting at age 35, women gain an average of 1.5 lb of fat a year.

• Studies indicate that the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease or cancer increases with the degree of obesity in both women and men. Abdominal obesity, in particular, is a hereditary trait associated with a high risk for development of diabetes and metabolic disorders.

• Lack of chromium in the diet : You need to eat more than 9 cups of cooked broccoli to get the amount of chromium in one chromium picolinate pill.

• A number of clinical studies have shown that daily supplementation with 200-1,000 mcg of chromium as chromium picolinate can enhance insulin function and improve blood sugar metabolism.

• Frequent fatigue : At any given time, 1 in every 5 people feels tired, women more so than men.

• In a study of women who had heart attacks, symptoms such as unexplained fatigue or trouble sleeping were experienced as early as a month before the heart attack, indicating the possibility that acting on these advance symptoms could prevent an impending heart attack.
• Research shows that people with impaired glucose tolerance, a precursor for type 2 diabetes, often experience fatigue.

• Over 40 years of age : In 2004, there were over 47 million women in the U.S. between 40 yrs old and 65 years old.

• Studies have found that the risk for diabetes and heart disease among women increases with age.

• Family history of diabetes or heart disease : With a family history of type 2 diabetes, the risk of developing the disease increases up to 6 times.

• Family history is known to be a risk factor for many chronic diseases—including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
• Tracing the illnesses experienced by your parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict the disorders for which you may be at risk and take action to keep you healthy.

Many people are aware of the importance of calcium; however, most are unaware of the health benefits associated with chromium. Just as calcium is important for strong bones, chromium is essential to help your body’s insulin work better.

While the body makes insulin naturally, chromium enables insulin to work at its best. Chromium is an essential mineral required to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Without adequate levels of chromium in the body, insulin cannot effectively do its job. Numerous human studies support the role of chromium picolinate – the most studied, easily absorbed and widely available form of chromium – to help improve blood sugar management and promote cardiovascular health.