Metabolic syndrome--a combination of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, excess weight around the waist and elevated glucose and cholesterol levels--affects around 47 million Americans, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Because chromium, a mineral, can enhance the action of insulin, researchers have looked into its benefits in treating metabolic syndrome.
Causes
Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms all related to insulin resistance rather than to a specific disease. Insulin resistance occurs mostly in people who are overweight. Insulin release from the pancreas helps glucose produced from the breakdown of food enter cells. In people with insulin resistance, the cells don't react normally to insulin; they "resist" its ability to open up the cells for glucose to enter. In response, the pancreas releases more insulin, to "force" the cells to respond. High insulin levels lead to the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. A chromium deficiency increases insulin requirements and also interferes with the body's ability to absorb glucose, leading to many of the same symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Positive Studies
Since a deficiency of chromium causes the same symptoms as metabolic syndrome, researchers have studied its effects on the disorder. Studies on the effects of chromium have shown more benefit in treating people with type 2 diabetes than in treating people with metabolic syndrome. Researchers from Tufts-New England Medical Center reported findings from a systematic review of 41 studies, although over half were poorly designed or executed. Overall, chromium did show a benefit in lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, according to the report, published in the August 2007 issue of "Diabetes Care." No benefit was found in nondiabetics, however. Metabolic syndrome is often a forerunner of type 2 diabetes.
Negative Studies
Although the Tufts review reported a positive benefit for chromium in people with diabetes, no significant changes in glucose levels or cholesterol were found in people with metabolic syndrome who took chromium. Researchers concluded that the poor quality of the studies and inconsistent standards and assessment methods emphasized the need for well-controlled studies before any conclusions on the benefit or lack of benefit for chromium could be determined.
Meanwhile, a University of Pennsylvania Health System study reported in the April 2009 issue of "Metabolic Syndromes and Related Disorders" gave 63 subjects with metabolic syndrome either 1,000 mcg of chromium picolinate or a placebo. Researchers noted that after 16 weeks chromium picolinate did increase acute insulin response to glucose, but did not result in weight loss or lower glucose of lipid levels.
Considerations
As many as 90 percent of American diets may be low in chromium, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The recommended dietary allowance is 35 mcg for men over 19 and 25 mcg for women, but the typical dose for disease prevention and treatment is 200 mcg. Very high chromium doses can cause liver or kidney damage or an irregular heartbeat, so do not take extra chromium without your medical provider's approval.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Chromium
- "Diabetes Care;" Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipids; E. Balk, et al.; August 2007
- "Metabolic Syndromes and Related Disorders;" Chromium Picolinate Does Not Improve Key Features of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Nondiabetic Adults; N. Iqbal, et al.; April 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Metabolic Syndrome; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Chromium
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