Elevated Intakes of Supplemental Chromium Improve Glucose and Insulin Variables in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The chromium requirement is postulated to increase with increased glucose intolerance and diabetes. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the elevated intake of supplemental chromium is involved in the control of type 2 diabetes. Individuals being treated for type 2 diabetes (180 men and women) were divided randomly into three groups and supplemented with: 1) placebo, 2) 1.92 micromol (100 microg) Cr as chromium picolinate two times per day, or 3) 9.6 micromol (500 microg) Cr two times per day. Subjects continued to take their normal medications and were instructed not to change their normal eating and living habits. HbA1c values improved significantly after 2 months in the group receiving 19.2 pmol (1,000 microg) Cr per day and was lower in both chromium groups after 4 months (placebo, 8.5 +/- 0.2%; 3.85 micromol Cr, 7.5 +/- 0.2%; 19.2 micromol Cr, 6.6 +/- 0.1%). Fasting glucose was lower in the 19.2-micromol group after 2 and 4 months (4-month values: placebo, 8.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l; 19.2 micromol Cr, 7.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). Two-hour glucose values were also significantly lower for the subjects consuming 19.2 micromol supplemental Cr after both 2 and 4 months (4-month values: placebo, 12.3 +/- 0.4 mmo/l; 19.2 micromol Cr, 10.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). Fasting and 2-h insulin values decreased significantly in both groups receiving supplemental chromium after 2 and 4 months. Plasma total cholesterol also decreased after 4 months in the subjects receiving 19.2 micromol/day Cr. These data demonstrate that supplemental chromium had significant beneficial effects on HbA1c, glucose, insulin, and cholesterol variables in subjects with type 2 diabetes. The beneficial effects of chromium in individuals with diabetes were observed at levels higher than the upper limit of the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake.

Chromium picolinate for reducing body weight: Meta-analysis of randomized trials

“…Three of the reviewed trials reported on adverse events. [45][46][47] All of these demonstrate the absence of adverse events in participants receiving chromium picolinate.…”

“…44 Ten trials met all inclusion criteria and provided data for body weight that were suitable for statistical pooling (Table 1). Seven other studies, which were reported in six articles, [45][46][47][48][49][50] were also included but reported data that were not suitable for statistical pooling ( Table 2). None of these trials reported a significant reduction of body weight in participants treated with chromium picolinate compared with placebo.…”

“…54 Even though these preparations are popular, they frequently lack evidence of effectiveness 55 and some may be associated with severe adverse events. Three of the reviewed trials assessed adverse events [45][46][47] and all agree on the total absence of adverse events in participants receiving chromium picolinate. Several other authors also found chromium picolinate to be relatively safe.…”

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

“…Thus, it was difficult to ascertain whether there was a supplementation effect. The trial by Anderson et al, 18 done in China using very high doses of chromium picolinate (1000 mg/ d), was larger (n ¼ 60) and longer (16 wk) than the prior study. However, it also used a per-protocol design that focused only on completers (52 of 60) in the 1000-mg arm, and so here, too, the principles of randomization were violated.…”

A Pilot Study of Chromium Picolinate for Weight Loss

“…20 This complex of molecules found in high amounts in brewer's yeast and other foods functions synergistically to potentiate the effects of insulin [21][22][23] by increasing insulin binding to cells, upregulating receptors, and improving affinity. 24 Some reports suggest that chromium could suppress appetite and stimulate thermogenesis through sensitization of insulin-sensitive glucoreceptors in the brain. 25 Body fat distribution is related to insulin sensitivity; peripheral fat is more insulin sensitive than central fat found in the chest and abdomen.…”