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Be Your Own Valentine This Year
Valentine's Day is a time to Focus on Love and Nourishment. This year reframe Valentine's Day and make it about Loving and Nourishing Yourself. Be Your Own Valentine. Take this time to Treat Yourself with calming, healthy and relaxing acts. Make this a sweet but sugar free Holiday! As you prepare for treating your special Valentine this year focus on treating yourself, AS YOU ARE THE VALENTINE. WAYS TO TREAT YOURSELF FOR VALENTINE'S DAY: Take a bath with spa music and relaxing beeswax candles. Book a Massage Appointment. Do a yoga class. Go for a Hike. For chocolate: Indulge in one of Dr. Daniel Amen's Brain in Love Bars. Have some treats without the sugar. Spend time reading a book. Buy yourself Flowers. Better yet give back and plant a tree. Make yourself a beautiful home cooked healthy meal. Treat yourself to a romantic dinner alone. Take 3 hours to yourself. Instead of baking heart shaped cookies. Try having heart shaped strawberries and watermelon. Take a meditation class. Organize your space and de-clutter your life and mind. Make this a healthier Valentine's Day and instead of treating yourself to material items, fancy unhealthy meals, and alcohol, treat yourself with love, peace, kindness, healthy nourishing foods and a calm day. There is no better way to treat yourself than to feed yourself loving and nourishing foods.
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Steps to Enhance Your Level of Intimacy Now
Have you ever wondered why women talk more than men and seem to remember every mistake their man makes? Or why men often need constant reminders to do a simple task? Common relationship frustrations like these may boil down to simple biology – brain biology, that is. The truth is that your brain--the command-and-control center of your body and behavior--is significantly different than your male or female partner’s brain. Understanding the brain’s gender differences will help you improve the quality of your intimate relationship and sex life. Everyone wants to have a better sex life, right? Of course! And research provides even more incentive by showing that men live longer when they have sex more frequently and women live longer when they enjoy the sex they have. Clinical neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, nine-time New York Times best-selling author and brain imaging expert Daniel G. Amen, MD, has distilled brain-related gender differences into simple steps that will enhance your level of intimacy right now. Dr. Amen should know. He and his colleagues have examined nearly 100,000 SPECT brain scans from men and women in 111 countries around the world. Take a look at this short video clip from his Brain in Love program where Dr. Amen brings compelling insight to a few of the most common gender stereotypes that cause so much frustration in relationships. You’ll learn 3 gender-based brain rules for both women and men to follow in order to promote more love and harmony in their relationships. His discoveries will certainly surprise you and hopefully bring more joy and satisfying intimacy to you and your partner! Dr. Amen’s Brain in Love Secrets Revealed Dr. Amen connects brain biology to the following common gender stereotypes, allowing for greater understanding and empathy between the sexes. The Directions Dilemma Women, don’t blame your man if he doesn’t ask for directions! “Women seem to have better access to the part of the brain that lets them know when they have a problem. So even though men are usually better at getting from point A to point B, women are much better at knowing when they are lost and they are definitely not shy in telling you about it,” he says. Why Women Talk, A Lot Men, do you ever wonder why women use so many words? “Unlike men, who usually only have language on the left side of their brain, women usually have language on both sides of their brains, which makes them more expansive with their communication,” Dr. Amen explains. For the Love of Shoes There’s a reason women love collecting shoes and going to their favorite salon for a pedicure. It turns out that the area of the brain that feels your feet is right next to the area of the brain that feels your genitals. Dr. Amen says that technically makes shoe shopping foreplay. (Women, be sure to share this with your partner!) Women Think, Men Act and Other Brain Differences Here are some fun brain facts: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used brain scans to show that when a man is at rest, at least 70% of his brain is dead. When women were at rest in the same study, at least 90% of their brains were busy and confirming that she’s always thinking. The prefrontal cortex is larger in women. This is the most human, thoughtful part of the brain and when it is low, people are more likely to have trouble with impulse control and excitement-seeking behavior. “This might explain why guys do stupid things like jump out of airplanes much more than women,” notes Dr. Amen. Men have a larger amygdala – an area near the temporal lobes that has been implicated in aggression. Women have a larger hippocampus – a major memory structure in the brain. Dr. Amen says this might explain why a woman is likely to remember every bad thing her man did! Want More Love and Sex? Follow Dr. Amen’s Brain-Based Rules While there are exceptions to these generalizations, here are a few of the most helpful rules: FOR WOMEN Rule #1: Do not expect your men to act like your best girlfriends. Yes, men are more interested in sex. The male hormone, testosterone, does that to their brains. The area in the brain responsive to sex hormones is two and a half times larger in men than in women. Rule #2: If you want your man to listen, use fewer words. Men use fewer words and they’re more direct. Remember, they usually only have language on the left side of their brain, while women have language on both sides. Give him less and he’ll grasp more. FOR MEN Rule #1: Do not expect your woman to act like your best guy friends. Studies report that a woman’s limbic or emotional brain is larger than a man’s, which is why bonding is often easier for women. She likely wants time with you, communication, and not sex all the time. Rule #2: Help her take care of the home. With a larger limbic brain, women also have a stronger nesting instinct than men, which means her home is critical to her level of happiness and security. Tend to the “honey-do” list. Watch the Brain In Love video to learn more rules to boost your love and sex life. If you want to explore the full Brain in Love program right now CLICK HERE.
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The 50 Best Brain Foods
Eat Great Brain Foods Foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants help your body and brain stay young. Several studies have found that eating food rich in antioxidants, which include many fruits and vegetables, significantly reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment. Eat fruits and vegetables of many different colors to ensure that you are getting a wide variety of antioxidants to nourish and protect your brain. Below is a list of great brain food. The 50 Best Brain Foods [wc_row][wc_column size="one-half" position="first"] Raw Almonds Almond Milk (unsweetened) Apples Asparagus Avocados * Bananas Beans (black, pinto, garbanzo) Bell Peppers Beets* Blackberries* Blueberries* Broccoli* Brussel sprouts Carrots Cheese (low-fat) Cherries* Chicken (skinless) Cranberries* Egg whites (DHA enriched) Grapefruit Herring Honeydew Kiwi* Lemons Lentils [/wc_column][wc_column size="one-half" position="last"] Limes Oats Olives Olive oil Oranges* Peaches Peas Plums* Pomegranates Raspberries* Red grapes* Soybeans Spinach* Strawberries* Green Tea Tofu Tomatoes Tuna Turkey (skinless) Walnuts Water Whole Wheat Wild salmon Yam & sweet potatoes Yogurt (unsweetened) [/wc_column][/wc_row] *Great Source of Antioxidants
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Better Brain—Better Sex!
Everyone wants to know how to improve their love life, right? Of course! Especially during this time of year when our Valentines hearts soar. So why is it so tough to make that desire a reality? For starters, most of us don’t realize how much the brain influences our love life. But it’s true! A better brain leads to better sex. In fact, the most important sex organ in the human body is the brain. Dr. Amen, who opened his first Amen Clinic in 1989, now has six clinics across the country where he and his team have performed nearly 100,000 brain SPECT scans on patients from 111 countries. That experience has led to a deep understanding of the brain and how its health impacts every part of our life. Take a look at this short video and you’ll be able to rev up your own love life. Based on Dr. Amen’s cutting-edge neuroscience research, The Brain in Love features 12 information-packed lessons on how to achieve emotional and physical intimacy. Here are just two of many great tips you’ll pick up: How to understand you and our partner’s behavior and avoid “relationship pitfalls.” How to truly connect with your partner to create a vibrant and lasting relationship Click below to get started toward making your brain—and your relationships—healthy and strong. Order Now!
Learn moreThe Daniel Plan Plate
The Daniel Plan focuses on the core food groups of healthy carbs, healthy fats, healthy protein, healing spices, drinks, and super foods. And The Daniel Plan gives an easy guideline to use for any meal. 50 percent non-starchy veggies 25 percent healthy animal or vegetable proteins 25 percent healthy starchy vegetables or whole gluten free grains Side of low-glycemic fruit Drink—water or herbal ice teas with Nutrition Experiment this weekend: Arrange your plate to look like the Daniel Plan Plate below.Patient Quote of the week: “Emotional eating is like channel surfing. I do everything now with a purpose.” - Susan
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Are You Ignoring the Most Common Signs of Stress?
Common Signs of Symptoms of Stress: [wc_row][wc_column size="one-half" position="first"] Frequent headaches or migraines Gritting or grinding of teeth Tremors or trembling lips or hands Neck ache, back pain or muscle spasms Light-headedness, faintness, dizziness Hearing ringing, buzzing or popping sounds Frequent blushing or sweating Cold or sweaty hands or feet Dry mouth or problems swallowing Frequent colds, infections or herpes sores Rashes, itching, hives or goose bumps Unexplained or frequent allergy attacks Stomach pain or nausea Constipation or diarrhea Difficulty breathing or signing Sudden panic attacks Chest pain or heart palpitations Frequent urination Poor sexual desire or performance Excessive anxiety, worry, guilt or nervousness Increased anger, frustration or hostility Depression, frequent or wild mood swings Increased or decreased appetite Insomnia, nightmares or disturbing dreams [/wc_column][wc_column size="one-half" position="last"] Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts Trouble learning new information Forgetfulness, disorganization or confusion Difficulty in making decisions Feeling overwhelmed Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts Feelings of loneliness and worthlessness Little interest in appearance or punctuality Nervous habits, fidgeting or feet tapping Increased irritability or edginess Overreaction to petty annoyances Increased number of minor accidents Reduce work efficiency or productivity Lies or excuse to cover up poor work Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness Problems in communication or sharing Social withdrawal& or isolation Constant fatigue or weakness Frequent or weakness Frequent use of over the counter drugs Weight gain or loss without diet Increased smoking Increased alcohol or drug use [/wc_column][/wc_row] *Source: The American Institute of Stress
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NeuroVite Plus Supplements
BrainMD Health makes getting brain nutrients simple and easy with NeuroVite Plus. It’s the first and only daily broad spectrum, brain directed supplement that provides superior nutritional support with a well-rounded and complete balance of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and digestive enzymes. Dr. Amen takes it every day! As you’ll soon discover, NeuroVite Plus is no ordinary vitamin. It contains expert recommended amounts of important nutrients that many multivitamin formulas overlook such as vitamin D, vitamin B6 and B12, folic acid and more. It includes BrainMD Health's proprietary, brain-boosting blend of clinically researched brain health nutrients. Each daily serving also provides antioxidant benefits from the most nutrient dense and nutrient diverse fruits and vegetables. And added digestive enzyme support helps your body break down and assimilate its healthy nutrients! But perhaps what’s most extraordinary about NeuroVite Plus is what the people behind the product have to say about it in this video—that is, the people who use NeuroVite Plus daily. Here are just a few of the positive comments they share: “NeuroVite Plus is the one and done supplement. It helps me focus better when I’m at work.” – Jasmine “This is the first vitamin that I’ve taken that actually works for me.” – Sapphire “I needed more energy and improvement in my memory, so I started taking NeuroVite Plus, and after four weeks, I noticed a significant improvement.” – Terry “Once I was introduced to NeuroVite Plus, I realized that my energy levels started to come up more.” – Sarah To get better brain nutrition to look, feel and think your best, check out NeuroVite Plus right now, click here.
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Support Healthy Levels of Serotonin
If the New Year has you feeling low, there is a way to turn that mood from bad to good! According to clinical neuroscientist, board certified psychiatrist, and ten-time New York Times bestselling author Daniel G. Amen, MD, feeling down might be related to the production of serotonin in your brain. Reduced sunlight exposure and chronic stress are two factors that have been associated with lower levels of serotonin and low mood, he says. In response, BrainMD Health has created a science-based natural formula to support healthy levels of serotonin in the brain and healthy mood. It’s called Serotonin Mood Support. This winning formula contains saffron, which has been shown in clinical studies to support a healthy mood. It also includes 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin that helps support healthy serotonin levels. Additional synergistic support is provided by vitamin B6 and inositol. Nothing speaks louder than the voice of someone who has seen positive results using Serotonin Mood Support. “…Took about a week and a half, but I started noticing that I felt like my mood was more steady.” – Larry “…I wake up every morning feeling great!” – Luciano “…I feel much happier and pleasant to be around.” – Lisa “It was a natural way for me to even out…” – Bianca
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Best Supplements To Get to Optimal Brain Health
Clinical neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist and brain imaging expert Daniel G. Amen, MD, created a line of supplements to help your brain as well as your body function at peak performance. Here are the four supplements to get you on your way to optimal brain health. Of course, when you take care of the brain, you take care of the entire body too! 4 of the Best Supplements to Optimize Your Brain Health Brain & Memory Power Boost This formula includes a natural combination of antioxidants and clinically tested nutraceuticals to support healthy memory, optimal cognitive clarity and mental focus. Who doesn’t want that? There are 6 ingredients in all. Brain studies conducted at the Amen Clinics have shown that the formula supports enhanced blood flow to the brain as well as cognitive function. It is one of the most comprehensive brain directed supplements available anywhere addressing the most common brain concerns. Omega-3 Power Why did Dr. Amen create his own fish oil supplement? It was personal. He created Omega-3 Power quite simply because he wanted everyone connected to him to have access to the highest quality Omega-3 supplement available anywhere. Starting with the very best fish species and then using the most advanced detoxification and purification process in the supplement industry at a pharmaceutical drug-licensed facility with the most stringent manufacturing standards, Omega-3 Power is as pure as it gets. Omega-3 fatty acids are very important structural components of brain cell membranes. Supplementation is necessary because the body does not manufacture them on its own, and most Americans do not get enough from the diet alone. Focus & Energy To make it in today’s fast-paced world, you’ve got to stay focused with plenty of mental energy. Focus & Energy optimizer helps your brain maintain focus, and also supports a healthy energy level to support peak performance – all without caffeine. It includes green tea and choline to support concentration along with three powerful adaptogens: ashwagandha, rhodiola and panax ginseng. Combined, these ingredients support mental endurance, stamina, a healthy immune system, healthy brain blood flow and a healthy response to every day stress. NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin Dr. Amen takes NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin every day. It is the first and only daily broad-spectrum, brain-directed supplement that provides superior nutritional support through a well-rounded and complete balance of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and digestive enzymes. It uniquely includes a proprietary brain-boosting blend of clinically researched brain health nutrients. A whopping 91% of Americans consume less than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day – the minimum nutritional requirement. That’s why each daily serving of NeuroVite Plus also provides antioxidant benefits of the most nutrient-dense and nutrient-diverse fruits and vegetables. Try these 4 high-quality, brain directed supplements today!
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New Brain Healthy Chocolate called Brain in Love
Grandson of a Candy Maker My grandfather was a candy maker. He was very special to me. In fact, I was named after him. He was my best friend growing up. I used to stand at the stove and make fudge, chocolate and pralines with him. But his chocolate was filled with all the wrong stuff—a lot of sugar and dairy. It made him sick and it took him away from me way too early.I loved him. And I love chocolate. So I used my wonderful brain to create a truly healthy chocolate. Brain in Love is made with dark chocolate, stevia and erythritol. It’s only 140 calories and has 9 grams of fiber, which is great for your entire system. Take it from this candy maker, it tastes absolutely delicious! Good For Your Brain But better yet, it’s good for your brain. Chocolate has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, increase antioxidants and increase a chemical called phenylethylamine, which alerts your brain stem that something fun is about to happen. A lot of studies show that chocolate is good for your brain. “The One Thing” About Health People generally have the wrong idea about making a serious commitment to health. They think it is about deprivation, when it is really about abundance. You get an abundance of great energy, clarity of thought and good health. If you ever saw the film “City Slickers,” the old, rough cowboy character played by Jack Palance talks about the “One Thing” on his dying breath, but we never hear what it is! Earlier this year, I channeled that character and discovered the “One Thing” about getting healthy: When you start doing the right thing, you stop feeling deprived. That’s why I created Brain in Love. You can get healthy and enjoy awesome treats that are both good for your soul and healthy for your brain! This is a great video to share with your chocolate-loving friends who want to be healthier.
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How Natural Supplements Can Boost Your Memory
Having reviewed many thousands of brain scans over several decades, I had concern about the effects I observed that medication had on the brain. With the philosophy, “First, do no harm” and aiming to use the least toxic, most effective solutions, I became very interested in natural supplements. Since incorporating them into the Amen Clinics program, the physiological effects and benefits we’ve observed in our patients are undeniable. Yet, I recognize there are real concerns about natural supplementation as a whole, and that it’s not the solution for everyone. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks. The Good When prescribed properly, they work! You don’t have to tell your insurance company you are taking them. (Most people are unaware that taking psychiatric medications for your mind can have an unfortunate negative impact on your health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance.) Fewer side effects (In my clinical experience, drastically fewer side effects.) The Bad Quality control (Too often, your nutritional supplement consultant is a teenage clerk at the health food store—yikes!) When we first began suggesting supplements to our patients, we vetted the best multivitamin and fish oil brands and made recommendations. But soon I found that I wanted a multivitamin with specific brain healthy nutrients at efficacious levels as well as a very specific type of fish oil that I believed would be best for the brain. The need gave birth to the BrainMD line of supplements, an extraordinary line of brain directed formulas designed specifically to optimize both brain and body health. To get started on a natural supplement program, I recommend starting with the following: 1. High-Quality Multivitamin I believe everyone should start with a high-quality multivitamin. BrainMD's multivitamin, NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin, has fifty brain healthy nutrients at just the right levels to ensure optimal brain and body function. I take it every day! 2. Ultra-Pure Fish Oil with the Right Amount of DHA and EPA I believe everyone should take a high-quality fish oil, rich in the right kinds of omega-3 fatty acids. I choose fish oil over plant-based flax oil because only fish oil has two very important brain and heart healthy ingredients: EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are well-studied and very important to optimal brain function as well as heart health. BrainMD's fish oil with EPA and DHA in balanced amounts is called Omega-3 Power. 3. Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent. Get your vitamin D levels tested and if your levels are low, be sure to take vitamin D every day. Vitamin D is essential for ensuring normal calcium absorption and maintenance of healthy calcium plasma levels. Numerous scientists now feel that supplementation with vitamin D at levels greater than previously thought necessary is critical to helping maintain healthy bone remodeling as we age. While these are three basic supplements, you may likely benefit from other natural supplements, based on your particular health needs. We are really proud of the BrainMD Health supplement line and we want them to work for you. That’s why we offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are not fully satisfied. Click here to check out our line of supplements.
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N-acetyl-cysteine: The Natural Supplement
It’s official—the holiday season has arrived! Yet, for those who suffer from food addiction, ‘tis the season to be on alert. Food triggers are everywhere, often rooted in childhood memories or traditions that come with strong emotional ties. The intense, rich, high-fat and sugary foods of the holidays have the potential to unleash addictive eating. While sticking with brain healthy foods during this time is critical, taking a nutritional supplement that helps support healthy craving levels in the brain could make the difference between failure and success. In fact, food cravings are more powerful than once thought. Over the past two decades, research has uncovered that it is possible to be dependent on food in the same way it is possible to be dependent on drugs or alcohol. Eating foods high in fat and sugar has been documented to release the same pleasurable chemical — the neurotransmitter dopamine — as using heroin, cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol! This indicates that substances that have been shown to reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol may also reduce cravings for food. But there is an amazing natural supplement that can help take the edge off cravings: N-acetyl-cytsteine (NAC). NAC is an amino acid that is needed to produce glutathione, which is a very powerful antioxidant. NAC binds to and removes dangerous toxic elements within the cells, making it a molecule critical to brain health. The typical adult serving for NAC is 600 to 1,200 mg twice a day to support healthy craving levels. NAC Combination Formulas You’ll find that NAC formulas are frequently combined with additional craving-curbing ingredients. These types of formulas are terrific. Look for NAC combination formulas that include either or both of these winning ingredients: L-glutamine. An amino acid that has been shown to stabilize blood sugar and increase insulin levels and action. The typical recommended adult dosage for healthy craving support is 500 to 1,000 mg a day. Chromium (or chromium picolinate). Chromium helps with the regulation of insulin, which enhances its ability to efficiently metabolize glucose and fat. There is a strong link between low moods, decreased insulin sensitivity, and diabetes. The typical recommended adult dosage for healthy craving support is 200 to 600 mcg a day. Formulas with these ingredients offer a great way to strengthen your commitment to health by helping to keep your brain’s craving center in check. Wishing you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving and holiday season! References: Amen SA, et al. Repeated N-acetyl cysteine reduces cocaine seeking in rodents and craving in cocaine-dependent humans. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011 Mar;36(4):871-8. LaRowe SD, et al. Safety and tolerability of N-acetylcysteine in cocaine-dependent individuals. Am J Addict. 2006 Jan-Feb;15(1):105-10. LaRowe SD, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Am J Addict. 2013 Sep-Oct;22(5):443-52. Schmaal L, et al. Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of nicotine dependence: a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. Eur Addict Res. 2011;17(4):211-6. Grant, JE, et al. N-acetyl cysteine, a glutamate-modulating agent, in the treatment of pathological gambling: a pilot study. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Sep 15;62(6):652-7. Rogers LL, Pelton RB. Glutamine in the treatment of alcoholism. Q J Stud Alcohol. 1957;18:581–7. Jukic T, et al. The use of a food supplementation with D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan in the alleviation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Coll Antropol. 2011 Dec;35(4):1225-30. Blum K. A commentary of neurotransmitter restoration as a common mode of treatment for alcohol, cocaine, and opiate abuse. Integr Psychiatry. 1986;6:199-204. Samocha-Bonet D, et al. Glutamine reduces postprandial glycemia and augments the glucagon-like peptide-1 response in type 2 diabetes patients. J Nutr. 2011 Jul;141(7):1233-8. Greenfield JR, et al. Oral glutamine increases circulating glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon, and insulin concentrations in lean, obese, and type 2 diabetic subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;89(1):106-13. Badole SL, et al. Oral L-glutamine increases active GLP-1 (7-36) amide secretion and improves glycemic control in stretpozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2013 Apr 25;203(2):530-41. Anton SD, et al. Effects of chromium picolinate on food intake and satiety. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2008 Oct;10:(5):405-12. Anderson RA, Cheng N, Bryden NA, et al. Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 1997;46:1786-91. Jovanovic L, Gutierrez M, Peterson CM. Chromium supplementation for women with gestational diabetes mellitus. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 1999;12:917. Ghosh D, et al. Role of chromium supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Nutr Biochem. 2002;13:690-697. Martin J, et al. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006;29:1826-32. Cefalu WT, et al. Effect of chromium picolinate on insulin sensitivity in vivo. J Trace Elem Exp Med. 1999;12:71-83.
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