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Clinical Studies
References
This mineral is now being recognized as important in carbohydrate metabolism. Organic chromium is an active ingredient of a substance called GTF (glucose tolerance factor); niacin (vitamin B3) and amino acids complete the formula. Chromium stimulates the activity of enzymes involved in the metabolism of glucose for energy and the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. It appears to increase the effectiveness of insulin and its ability to handle glucose, preventing hypoglycemia or diabetes.
Chromium increases the efficiency of the hormone insulin, which the pancreas releases after you eat carbohydrates, fat or protein. Chromium acts to make the receptor of muscle cells more sensitive to insulin (which allows you to store more carbohydrates in the muscle cells as glycogen rather than in fat cells as lipids). Insulin also helps muscles use amino acids for building protein rather than breaking them down. Chromium can promote modest muscular gains and decreases in body fat (thus helping to build lean mass). Exercise increases the excretion rate of chromium.
It may also be beneficial in hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes type II (mature onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes), hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and sweet cravings.
Published Clinical Studiesclin
The safety and efficacy of high-dose chromium.1
Lamson DS, Plaza SM.
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA, USA. davisl@seanet.com
The data on the standards for chromium requirements and the safety of various chromium compounds and doses are reviewed. The 350-fold difference between the acceptable daily intake and the calculated reference dose for humans of 70 mg per day seems without precedent with respect to other nutritional minerals. Previous claims of mutagenic effects of chromium are of questionable relevance. While studies have found DNA fragmentation (clastogenic effects) by chromium picolinate, anecdotal reports of high-dose chromium picolinate toxicity are few and ambiguous. The beneficial effects of chromium on serum glucose and lipids and insulin resistance occur even in the healthy. Serum glucose can be improved by chromium supplementation in both types 1 and 2 diabetes, and the effect appears dose dependent. Relative absorption of various chromium compounds is summarized and the mechanism of low molecular weight chromium binding substance (LMWCr) in up-regulating the insulin effect eight-fold is discussed. There is evidence of hormonal effects of supplemental chromium besides the effect on insulin. Chromium supplementation does result in tissue retention, especially in the kidney, although no pathogenic effect has been demonstrated despite considerable study.
Publication Types:
PMID: 12126463 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Chromium as an essential element.2
Racek J.
Ustav klinicke biochemie a laboratorni diagnostiky LF UK a FN, Plzen. racek@fnplzen.cz
Chromium was known for many years to be an element causing allergic reactions and having neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects. These effects can be observed especially in the case of hexavalent chromium. Only a little more than four decades ago trivalent chromium has been known as an essential element with relation to glycide and lipid metabolism. And only during several last years this chromium function has been revealed on a molecular level. After absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, chromium is most likely transported to cells bound to the plasma protein transferrin. Insulin initiates chromium transport into the cells where it is bound to the oligopeptide apochromodulin. This oligopeptide combined with four chromium(III) atoms forms chromodulin, which is important for amplifying the insulin signalling effect. After binding to insulin-activated receptor, chromodulin increases tyrosine kinase activity by one order. This enzyme forms a part of intracellular portion of insulin receptor. Chromium supplementation in people with chromium deficiency can improve glucose tolerance and some lipid metabolism parameters. The supplementation is indicated in persons with impaired glucose tolerance both in preclinical and manifested stadium of type 2 diabetes mellitus where increased lost of chromium in urine was documented. In these patients, chromium deficiency can participate in insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia. Chromium is usually applied in the form of organic compounds: yeast extract or chromium(III) picolinate. Cr(III) picolinate can be reduced to compounds of Cr(II) in the cells which can then produce free hydroxyl radical in the so called Fenton reaction.
Publication Types:
PMID: 12924032 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Chromium, glucose intolerance and diabetes.3
Anderson RA.
Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350, USA.
Within the last 5 years chromium (Cr) has been shown to play a role in glucose intolerance, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), and gestational diabetes. In addition, diabetes and the neuropathy of a patient on home parenteral nutrition were alleviated when supplemental Cr was added to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. In a study conducted in China that has been supported by studies in the United States, supplemental Cr as Cr picolinate improved the blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1C in people with Type 2 DM in a dose dependent manner. Follow-up studies of > 1 year have confirmed these studies. The requirement for Cr is related to the degree of glucose intolerance: 200 microg/day of supplemental Cr is adequate to improve glucose variables of those who are mildly glucose intolerant. However, people with more overt impairments in glucose tolerance and diabetes usually require more than 200 microg/day. Daily intake of 8 microg of Cr per kg body weight was also more effective than 4 microg/kg in women with gestational diabetes. The mechanism of action of Cr involves increased insulin binding, increased insulin receptor number, and increased insulin receptor phosphorylation. In summary, supplemental Cr has been shown to have beneficial effects without any documented side effects on people with varying degrees of glucose intolerance ranging from mild glucose intolerance to overt Type 2 DM.
Publication Types:
PMID: 9853533 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Quest for the molecular mechanism of chromium action and its relationship to diabetes.4
Vincent JB.
Department of Chemistry and Coalition for Biomolecular Products, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487-0336, USA.
Despite forty years of research on the potential role of chromium in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, significant progress has only recently been made regarding the mode of action of chromium at a molecular level. The oligopeptide low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) may function as part of a novel insulin-signaling autoamplification mechanism. The proposed mechanism of action also sheds some light on the potential of chromium-containing compounds as nutritional supplements or in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes and other conditions. The potential relationship between the results of recent studies on diabetic patients and the proposed mode of action of LMWCr are discussed.
Publication Types:
PMID: 10812920 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Insulin resistance: lifestyle and nutritional interventions.5
Kelly GS.
Insulin resistance appears to be a common feature and a possible contributing factor to several frequent health problems, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, certain hormone-sensitive cancers, and obesity. Modifiable factors thought to contribute to insulin resistance include diet, exercise, smoking, and stress. Lifestyle intervention to address these factors appears to be a critical component of any therapeutic approach. The role of nutritional and botanical substances in the management of insulin resistance requires further elaboration; however, available information suggests some substances are capable of positively influencing insulin resistance. Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, chromium, and vanadium appear to have associations with insulin resistance or its management. Amino acids, including L-carnitine, taurine, and L-arginine, might also play a role in the reversal of insulin resistance. Other nutrients, including glutathione, coenzyme Q10, and lipoic acid, also appear to have therapeutic potential. Research on herbal medicines for the treatment of insulin resistance is limited; however, silymarin produced positive results in diabetic patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, and Inula racemosa potentiated insulin sensitivity in an animal model.
Publication Types:
PMID: 10767668 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of chromium supplementation on glucose tolerance and lipid profile.6
Bahijri SM.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Allied Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate chromium status of the adult population in the western region of Saudi Arabia and the possibility of using serum chromium status measurement as indicator of this status. METHODS: The effect of chromium supplement on glucose tolerance and lipid profile was studied in 44 normal, free living adults. 200mg chromium/day as CrCL3 or a placebo was given in a double blind cross-over study, with 8 weeks experimental periods. Fasting, 1 hour and 2 hour post glucose challenge (75 g of glucose) glucose, serum fructosamine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, chromium and dietary intakes were estimated at the beginning and the end of each stage. RESULTS: Mean serum chromium increased significantly after supplement (P<.001) indicating proper absorption of the element. Supplement did not effect the total cholesterol, however, the mean high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly increased (P<.001), the mean triglycerides levels significantly decreased (P<.001), and the mean fructosamine level significantly decreased (P<.05). In addition, chromium supplement effected 1 hour and 2 hour post glucose challenge glucose levels in subgroups of subjects with 2 hour glucose level > 10% above or below fasting level and significantly differing to it (P<.05 in both cases), by decreasing or increasing them significantly (P<.05 in all cases) so that the 2 hour mean became not significantly different to the fasting mean. Since no significant changes in weight, dietary intake or habits were found, and placebo had no effect, all noted biochemical changes were attributed to chromium. CONCLUSION: Improved glucose control, and lipid profile following chromium supplement suggests the presence of low chromium status in the studied population. However, serum chromium could not be recommended for use as an indicator of chromium status as subjects with widely varying levels responded favorably to the chromium supplement.
Publication Types:
PMID: 11533750 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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