Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Elderly Patients

Abstract

Intervention trials have shown the beneficial effects of chromium supplementation in type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). This study investigated the effects of chromium picolinate on elderly diabetic patients within a rehabilitation program. Thirty-nine diabetic subjects, average age 73 years (18 males and 21 females), undergoing rehabilitation following stroke or hip fracture, were recruited to participate in this study. An additional 39 diabetic patients constituted the control group. Along with standard treatment for diabetes, the study group received 200 microg of chromium twice a day for a three-week period. Blood samples, dietary intake, and anthropometric data were collected prior to and post-intervention. Throughout the study period, participants received a diet of approximately 1500 kcal/day. Significant differences in the fasting blood level of glucose compared to the baseline (190 mg/dL vs 150 mg/dL, p < 0.001) were found at the end of the study. HbA1c also improved from 8.2% to 7.6% (p < 0.01). Total cholesterol was also reduced from 235 mg/dL to 213 mg/dL (p < 0.02). A trend towards lowered triglyceride levels was also observed (152 mg/dL vs 136 mg/dL). We conclude that, in this population of elderly, diabetic patients undergoing rehabilitation, dietary supplementation with chromium is beneficial in moderating glucose intolerance. In addition, chromium intake appears to lower plasma lipid levels.

Chromium supplements for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: limited evidence of effectiveness

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“…Rabinovitz et al 53 studied 39 T2DM patients in the treatment arm who were 61 to 83 years of age and receiving hypoglycemic medications, including both sulfonylureas and insulin, and who were provided with supplemental chromium picolinate (400 lg/d) for 3 weeks. The study was an ITT analysis.…”

Dietary Supplementation During Diabetes Therapy and the Potential Risk of Interactions

“…Chromium supplementation can be beneficial for fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and the percentage of HbA1c, as well as body weight and insulin sensitivity in T2DM patients [18][19][20]. On the other hand, it was not possible to evaluate chromium intake from the participants' diets, so it is unknown whether there was any necessity to supplement their diets with this trace mineral.…”

Serum Trace Elements in Elderly Frail Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

“…Glucose metabolism is disturbed in many elderly patients because of various degrees of insulin resistance. In a previous study, we have shown that addition of chromium improved their diabetic control ( 22 ).…”