Vitamin B/Chromium Picolinate to Curb Junk Food Cravings

sconnors16
sconnors16 Posts: 16 Member
edited September 23 in Food and Nutrition
So there was a Dr. Oz segment on GMA last week where he talked about sugar/junk food actually being an addiction like a drug. I COMPLETELY feel like that is true for me, so I took a portion of his advice, which was to start taking Vitamin B Complex and Chromium Picolinate, which are supposed to help "detox" you and break the cravings. Just curious if anyone knows anything about this. The rest of his advice included things like replacing all grains with broccoli/cauliflower for a week, but not sure I can do that.....vitamins, I can take!! Here's a link to his segment if anyone's interested:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/dr-mehmet-oz-beat-fat-sugar-addiction-detox/story?id=12823912
«1

Replies

  • gurgi22
    gurgi22 Posts: 182 Member
    bump
  • lradloff
    lradloff Posts: 59 Member
    bump
  • Rubie81
    Rubie81 Posts: 720 Member
    That sounds very interesting. Thank you for passing on the information.
    Let us know if this is working for you.
  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
    I have never tried this; however, I do know that it is true fact that they are like an alcohol addiction. I love the program I am on because it has taught me the right way to eat which does not include any of these foods, therefore, I no longer crave them. Love having them out of my life!
  • brittlynne3579
    brittlynne3579 Posts: 217 Member
    Bump
  • sconnors16
    sconnors16 Posts: 16 Member
    I don't post much on the message boards....what does "Bump" mean?
  • A bump is to put the topic back on the first page.
  • Bump just means that the post was made to "bump" it to the top of the posts again. Folks who may be interested in an answer, and just post so that it's more visible.

    I tried the chromium picolinate for a few weeks and didn't see where it helped that much. Although I had never heard of doing it with the B Complex. I stopped taking it because I was getting headaches that would last three days and after an MRI and they couldn't find anything wrong, my doctor told me to stop taking it as headaches are a side effect.

    I still have almost a full bottle and may try them again, but if the headaches start back up, I'll know it was them.
  • melissaovadare
    melissaovadare Posts: 191 Member
    Bumpity Bump:bigsmile:
  • pyro13g
    pyro13g Posts: 1,127 Member
    Better watch taking the Chromium Pollinate. Can be hard on the liver.
  • sconnors16
    sconnors16 Posts: 16 Member
    I was wondering if there were any negative side effects, but I figured the positives must outweigh the negatives for Dr. Oz to recommend it. I'm skeptical about some of his theories though....
  • Bump :sad:

    I bump when I'm at work and don't have time to read the links or reply. I like to come back to see what the rest of MFP's have to say about the topic.

    I did see that on Good Morning America but was at work when the Dr. Oz show was on. Could the headaches come from stopping the sugar?
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    Of note: Chromium Picolinate likes to leach iron out of you.
  • cokolina
    cokolina Posts: 48
    It is really working for me. I read lots of articles saying that the chromium GTF is better than chromium picolinate so i choose the gtf and after 3 days i have to say that is really working and i have some huge problems controlling myself around sugarr, chocolate, cake ecc...

    It's not expensive, give it a try :)

    and type into google : chromiums gtf weight loss or chromium weight forum

    I >ou have to be carefull with picolinate version, there are not that much research on it, so i would choouse the GTF version, that has many studies done on it and a lot of testimonials too.
  • Jessabelle12
    Jessabelle12 Posts: 145
    I worked in a health foood shop for a year and had a lot of training including learning about all the different supplements. Chromium picolonate was always one we reccommended and had postitive feedback. But I would highly reccomend it - it regualtes sugar cravings/levels. I've used it before and found it helped a lot - I used it for two months and whilst at first I still wanted sugary food out of habit, I soon realised I wasn't craving them anymore adn after the two months I was so used to not eating them so much i didn't go back to snacking on lots of sugar.

    It basically works by working when energy is released from cells and so works with fat and glucose metabolism. It maintains blood sugar levels (well helps to) which in effect can control your appetite! If you're diabetic make sure you consult your doctor (and its suitable for vegetarians!)

    Best of luck!
  • suzooz
    suzooz Posts: 720 Member
    Interesting post.

    I have just started to take B12 -- a coworker of mine is taking if for memory / concentration, and she said it was also giving her more energy. So I thought I would try it.

    Anyone else have experience with B12? I would love to hear the results of the B Complex as well.
  • LizzieBee17
    LizzieBee17 Posts: 123 Member
    So there was a Dr. Oz segment on GMA last week where he talked about sugar/junk food actually being an addiction like a drug. I COMPLETELY feel like that is true for me, so I took a portion of his advice, which was to start taking Vitamin B Complex and Chromium Picolinate, which are supposed to help "detox" you and break the cravings. Just curious if anyone knows anything about this. The rest of his advice included things like replacing all grains with broccoli/cauliflower for a week, but not sure I can do that.....vitamins, I can take!! Here's a link to his segment if anyone's interested:

    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/dr-mehmet-oz-beat-fat-sugar-addiction-detox/story?id=12823912

    I can tell everybody that is sooo true. 3 years ago. I didn't eat anything greasy, no sugar, no bleached flour, no soda, no coffee, and absolute zero fast food. I lost almost 100 lbs. But I tell people it's like being a crack head. I gave myself one free day and I have been strung out every since!! I gained all that weight back plus 40lbs
  • I took chromium for about a month and it REALLY helps regulate insulin.
    I lost all need to binge on sugar and I didn't even really notice it but I was craving more savoury (real) foods rather than sweet.
    The effect stops after a month or so- meaning that your body will naturally stop craving sugar after a month of training it to be off simple sugars so I don't take it anymore. But I truly noticed a difference.
    I binge on cake, pastries, candy etc like crazy (i.e. will buy a dozen/box of pastries to "share" or for "the week" and end up eating them within a few hours...seriously....). When I took chromium I lost my desire for simple sugars completely.

    As for b-complex- I just take b12- I can lean on the anemic side.
    b12 + caffeine is a good combo to keep you going (that's pretty much the combo in redbull.
    So I take b12 in the morning. Dunno if it does anything but I need to supplement my diet anyway,
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    I was wondering if there were any negative side effects, but I figured the positives must outweigh the negatives for Dr. Oz to recommend it. I'm skeptical about some of his theories though....

    I'm not a Dr. Oz fan. I think he is getting into weight loss without much background in it. Isn't he just an "all-around" doctor? I could be wrong....but I know that most Dr.'s don't have that much training in nutrition.
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    Interesting post.

    I have just started to take B12 -- a coworker of mine is taking if for memory / concentration, and she said it was also giving her more energy. So I thought I would try it.

    Anyone else have experience with B12? I would love to hear the results of the B Complex as well.

    I take a B complex everyday because I don't eat meat...so it helps get in the B vitamins that I'd be lacking. Really...I don't notice a difference if I take it or not.
  • The headaches are from the sugar detox your body is going through and is perfectly normal and considered a "healing process", you will feel worse while you detox the sugar out of your system as your body is trying to get back to normal. Too bad your doctor does not know about this and would quickly recommend that you stop taking them (because that is the easy answer). If he cannot treat you with drugs then he cannot "control" what you are doing and have you come back to see him/her.

    I am a Board Certified Naturopath and have recommended Chromium and Vit B to my clients to detox from sugar. It takes about a week or so with minor discomfort (headaches) as you detox. It is the same type of detox as when someone stops drinking coffee (caffeine). The body is used to the caffeine stimulant and when you stop drinking the "caffeine drug" your body craves, it starts with a headache as a natural detoxification process.

    Sorry you had to spend money on MRI.
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    The headaches are from the sugar detox your body is going through and is perfectly normal and considered a "healing process", you will feel worse while you detox the sugar out of your system as your body is trying to get back to normal. Too bad your doctor does not know about this and would quickly recommend that you stop taking them (because that is the easy answer). If he cannot treat you with drugs then he cannot "control" what you are doing and have you come back to see him/her.

    I am a Board Certified Naturopath and have recommended Chromium and Vit B to my clients to detox from sugar. It takes about a week or so with minor discomfort (headaches) as you detox. It is the same type of detox as when someone stops drinking coffee (caffeine). The body is used to the caffeine stimulant and when you stop drinking the "caffeine drug" your body craves, it starts with a headache as a natural detoxification process.

    Sorry you had to spend money on MRI.

    Interesting you resurrected a 2 year old thread for your first post? You're not related to Buddy, by any chance are you? Haven't seen him around lately. :wink:
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    from Dr Oz
    Sugary and fatty foods affect the pathways to the brain in the same way as heroin or cocaine

    Does anyone have any facts / links to support this?
  • Bump.
  • hazeljordan1974
    hazeljordan1974 Posts: 107 Member
    I know this is a really old thread but I started taking Chromium picolinate last week and it has really helped my sugar cravings. As my friends on here know I am a bit of a carb and sugar queen and I knew that 90g of jelly beans a day was doing me no favours. It has really helped to bring the cravings in check!
  • starrylioness
    starrylioness Posts: 543 Member
    I have never tried this; however, I do know that it is true fact that they are like an alcohol addiction. I love the program I am on because it has taught me the right way to eat which does not include any of these foods, therefore, I no longer crave them. Love having them out of my life!

    THIS. It's so true. Food addiction has to be treated the same as any addiction in my book. Pasta used to be a huge issue for me and cutting it out almost completely has made such a difference in me and how I feel.
  • jls341
    jls341 Posts: 30 Member
    .
  • Me2FitMe
    Me2FitMe Posts: 1,285 Member
    Bump for a later read...
  • favoritenut
    favoritenut Posts: 217 Member
    I take a vitamin B complex but not a chromium. The B is for energy, and I can tell when I don't take them. Not like I'm buzzing around like bee, but at least I don't feel sluggish. I have heard that chromium also is sometimes used for diabetes, I don't know the whole story on that, but I have heard it has been given to some diabetes patients.
  • lesteidel
    lesteidel Posts: 229 Member
    Dr oz is promoting a different diet pill/supplement every month.

    Ask your regular doctor if this could help you.

    Dr oz is the same fellow who tells people not to eat foods with ingredients they can't pronounce and then tells them to go buy a diet pill they definitely can't pronounce. I don't trust him for this reason. Anybody promoting that many different pills is getting money for it somewhere and doesn't have your best interest at heart.
This discussion has been closed.