Authors
Anderson RA. Cheng N. Bryden NA. Polansky MM. Cheng N. Chi J. Feng J.
Institution
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Maryland 20705-2350, USA. anderson:307.bhnrc.usda.gov
Title
Elevated intakes of
supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables
in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Source
Diabetes. 46(11):1786-91, 1997 Nov.
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.