Quentin Grady wrote:
New Clinical Study Uncovers Mechanism by Which Chromium Picolinate May
Enhance Insulin Sensitivity
Source: Nutrition 21 08/28/2003
PARIS, France -- The results of a new double-blind randomized placebo
controlled human trial of people with type 2 diabetes revealed a
potential mechanism that may explain the ability of chromium picolinate
to improve insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle -- the primary
site for glucose metabolism. These data suggest that when chromium
picolinate is added to the diet, insulin sensitivity improves for people
with diabetes, a chronic disease that affects 194 million people
worldwide. The findings were presented by Dr. William T. Cefalu from the
University of Vermont College of Medicine, USA at the 18th International
Diabetes Federation Congress.
Research suggests that the potential in vivo mechanism of chromium
picolinate on insulin action in human skeletal muscle may occur by
increasing the activation of Akt phosphorylation -- an intracellular
insulin dependent protein that facilitates the uptake of glucose into
cells.
"This study demonstrates that those individuals with type 2 diabetes who
supplemented their diet with chromium picolinate had an enhanced
activity of the protein compared to those who
were on placebo," stated Dr. Cefalu. "As this intracellular pathway is
implicated in contributing to insulin resistance, this represents a
possible mechanism to explain chromium picolinate's beneficial effect on
insulin sensitivity as observed in several clinical studies."
The clinical trial
The double-blind, placebo controlled trial, included two cohorts of
subjects with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either sulfonylureas
(a class of diabetic drugs that increase insulin secretion), or a diet
program. Both groups were randomized to receive either chromium
picolinate (1000 mcg) daily or placebo. The most accurate measure of
insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp studies, were
used to assess the efficacy of glucose uptake on all subjects prior to
randomization and at the end of the study. Of the 16 subjects, those
randomized to chromium picolinate had a mean increase in insulin
sensitivity of 8.9%, while the placebo group had a mean decrease of
3.6%. In addition, insulin-stimulated Akt activation was significantly
increased at the end of the study compared to those subjects on placebo.
No adverse events were reported.
A Cost Effective Nutrition Therapy
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that four to five percent
of health budgets are spent on diabetes-related illnesses and that
people with diabetes incur medical costs two to five times higher than
people without diabetes.
Chromium is an essential mineral that is a co-factor of insulin. "By
applying rigorous science, we hope to show it's potential to improve the
quality of patient care for people with diabetes and reduce cost of
therapy," said James Komorowski, MS, Vice President of Technical
Services and
Scientific Affairs, Nutrition 21, Inc., which supplied Chromax® chromium
picolinate for the study. Chromax chromium picolinate is the most
clinically tested brand of chromium with proven efficacy for support of
glucose metabolism. "This new research further supports the large body
of scientific evidence showing chromium picolinate is a safe and
effective addition to the diet for people with type 2 diabetes seeking
optimal control of their blood sugar levels."
Reference:
W.T Cefalu, et al. Chromium picolinate supplementation increases
insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in vivo in skeletal muscle from
subjects with Type 2 diabetes. 18th International Diabetes Federation
Congress. Abstract # 154. August 2003
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It looks like your # 1 applies. The study was in situ and involved a
small sample (16). I took chromium picolinate at one time and changed
to another chromium supplement - "poly" something. There was a tendency
for chromium supplements to constipate me and I didn't need that.
Frank
