[PinkHoodie]

I hear about these alot with PCOS women. Who has taken them and seen real benefits? I would be interested in taking them, but wondering how they effect PCOS and how you can tell if they are working for you.

[fitkristi]

I know that cinnamon helps with insulin resistance or insulin problems...

[Rana]

I don't take cinnamon, but I do take chromium piconicolinate.

I've only been taking it for about 2 weeks or so now, and I genuinely feel a difference in my reactions to carbohydrates. Even cravings for carbs are at an all time low.

I'm taking 800 mg.

[PinkHoodie]

Is that something you can just pick up at a store like Wal mart? Or do you have to search it out.
I have never been told if I am insulin resistant. I would assume that I am, but my dr has never really ran any blood sugars on me...I have no idea why. He did put me on Metformin so I am wondering if I should just assume I am insulin resistant.

[milmin2043]

I take Chromium with Cinnamon capsules (all in one) that I get from Walmart. I take 2 in the morning and 2 at night. I have taken them for 2 months now and I definitely see a difference in my cravings for carbs.

[museumchick]

I also take the cinnamon+chromium pills you get from Walmart. It helps in a BIG way. My blood sugars are running much lower than they used to, and my cravings for carbs are much lower and easier to control than they used to be.

That being said, be sure to only take the dose recommended on the bottle, which is two pills daily. There is a chemical component in cinnamon bark which serves as the basis for the medication cumadin...it's a VERY powerful blood thinner. Taking more than the recommended dosage is dangerous.

[Violet73]

I'm gonna look into this...especially the combo pill at Walmart. Anyone on thyroid medication while taking this? I will check with my doc and pharm about mixing the two together.

[Rana]

I take a polynicotinate chromium which I buy at Whole Foods.

I take 800 mg (which is 4 pills) based on a study found in Mary's PCOS FAQ that showed that amount was effective.

[Eliana]

PinkHoodie, I'm surprised you don't know if you are IR or not. I thought that was a a major point of diagnosis. Not everyone with PCOS has IR, of course, but many do. You must have known cysts then? I know I have/had IR but am unsure about the cysts. Crazy syndrome, isn't it?

I heard that cinnamon, walnuts and green tea were all very beneficial for PCOS. I took them all. I never noticed a difference, but I think the difference probably shows up in blood tests, which I never took to compare. It did not seem to affect my weight loss.

[couponmom85]

anyone know if adding cinnamon to your foods instead of taking the pills would work as well? (freshly ground cinnamon, how much would you need a day?)

how much doesthe cromium (sp?) cost at walmart?

[astrophe]

http://pcosfaq.com/ suggests 1/4 to 1 tsp cinnamon.

A.

[couponmom85]

thanks

[Karatemom]

Chromium has helped me control cravings a lot. Be careful if you have depression or other mental illnesses, it can aggravate that. I'm looking at adding cinnamon.

[JMSilver]

I used to mix a tsp of cinnamon into something (smoothies, oatmeal, etc) every morning for a while. I didn't notice a big difference until I realised that I wasn't getting dizzy from going too long without eating.

I'm no longer insulin resistant (and no longer have cysts - yay for healthy diet!) so cinnamon fell by the side, but it's a good idea.

[Sea]

Both help. I've used them both. I quit taking the chromium because it was triggering my exema severely. The cinnamon can be taken pill form or just sprinkling. Half a teaspoon is usually recommended. The cinnamon helps the body keep blood sugars more stable and revs the metabolism a bit.