Scientists discovered chromium's effects on blood sugar in 1957, when an extract of pork kidney, of which chromium was found to be the active constituent, improved diabetes symptoms in laboratory animals. Chromium picolinate, one form of chromium available in supplement form, has been studied for its effects on blood sugar and insulin levels. Check with your doctor before using chromium picolinate to treat diabetes.
Insulin Sensitivity
Chromium picolinate may improve insulin sensitivity, according to a study published in the October 2007 issue of the journal "Hormone and Metabolic Research." The meta-study -- a review of previous literature -- reports that chromium levels are often found to be low in type 2 diabetics, and supplementation with chromium picolinate reduces insulin resistance, in some studies. Chromium picolinate is also highly absorbable and has a high safety profile. The researchers conclude that doses of chromium picolinate starting at 200 mcg per day may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Comparison Study
Chromium niacinate outperformed chromium picolinate at lowering inflammation associated with diabetes, according to a study published in the October 2007 issue of the journal "Free Radical Biology and Medicine." In the study on laboratory animals, supplementation with 400 mcg of chromium picolinate or chromium niacinate lowered blood levels of inflammatory and tissue-damaging molecules. Both forms of chromium also lowered HbA1c -- a measure of blood sugar levels for several months prior to the test -- and cholesterol levels. The researchers noted that chromium niacinate was the more effective of the two and concluded that chromium supplementation may be useful at decreasing the risk of blood vessel inflammation associated with diabetes.
Organ Function
A study published in the September 2007 issue of the journal "Metabolism" found that chromium picolinate improved liver, kidney and pancreas function in diabetic laboratory animals. In the study, diets supplemented with 80 mcg of chromium picolinate per kg of body weight for two weeks showed a 63 percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to a group that did not receive chromium picolinate supplementation. Chromium picolinate also reduced cholesterol by 9.7 percent and triglycerides by 6.6 percent. Liver, kidney and pancreas cells of the chromium supplemented group appeared normal compared with the non-supplemented group. The researchers concluded, from the results of this preliminary animal study, that chromium picolinate may be useful in diabetes management.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy using chromium picolinate and biotin -- a B-complex vitamin -- improved glucose control in diabetics, researchers found in a study published in the January 2008 issue of the journal "Diabetes Metabolism, Research and Reviews." In the study, nearly 450 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity took 600 mcg of chromium picolinate with 2 mg of biotin for 90 days, along with oral anti-diabetic medication. A significant difference in HbA1c values and fasting blood sugar levels occurred between the group that took the combination therapy compared to a control group that did not receive the supplements. The researchers noted that the treatment was well tolerated with no adverse effects.
References
- "Hormone and Metabolic Research"; Chromium in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease; M. Hummel et al.; October 2007
- "Free Radical Biology and Medicine"; Effect of Chromium Niacinate and Chromium Picolinate Supplementation on Lipid Peroxidation, TNF Alpha, IL-6, CRP, Glycated Hemoglobin, Triglycerides, and Cholesterol Levels in Blood of Streptozotocin Treated Diabetic Rats; S.K.Jain, et al.; October 2007
- "Metabolism";Effect of Chromium on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in a Rat Model of Type II Diabetes Mellitus: the Fat Fed, Streptozotocin Treated Rat; K. Sahin et al.; September2007
- "Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews"; Chromium Picolinate and Biotin Combination Improves Glucose Metabolism in Treated, Uncontrolled Overweight to Obese Patients with Type II Diabetes; C.A. Albarracin, et al.; January 2008
