Chromium and exercise training: effect on obese women

Abstract

Chromium supplementation may affect various risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), including body weight and composition, basal plasma hormone and substrate levels, and response to an oral glucose load. This study examined the effects of chromium supplementation (400 micrograms.d-1), with or without exercise training, on these risk factors in young, obese women. Chromium picolinate supplementation resulted in significant weight gain in this population, while exercise training combined with chromium nicotinate supplementation resulted in significant weight loss and lowered the insulin response to an oral glucose load. We conclude that high levels of chromium picolinate supplementation are contraindicated for weight loss in young, obese women. Moreover, our results suggest that exercise training combined with chromium nicotinate supplementation may be more beneficial than exercise training alone for modification of certain CAD and NIDDM risk factors.

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

“…We first tested whether removing the data of one trial, 23 which accounted for 58% of the overall effect, would alter the direction of the result. The metaanalysis of these data 21,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30] suggests the absence of a differential effect (weighted mean difference: À0.9 kg; 95% CI: À2.0 to 0.2 kg, n ¼ 335). Another sensitivity analysis assessed six trials, [21][22][23]26,27,30 which all included overweight or obese patients for treatment periods ranging between 6 to 13 weeks (weighted mean difference: À1.1 kg; 95% CI: À1.8 to À0.4 kg, n ¼ 385).…”

“…However, additional data were available in eight other trials, [21][22][23][25][26][27]29,30 which were used in a secondary analysis to provide an indication of the effect Chromium picolinate for reducing body weight MH Pittler et al on percentage body fat and lean body mass. The metaanalysis of these data suggests a nonsignificant effect for lean body mass (weighted mean difference: 0.4 kg; 95% CI: À0.1 to 0.8 kg, n ¼ 416) and a significant effect for percentage body fat (weighted mean difference: À1.2%, 95% CI: À1.7 to À0.6%, n ¼ 416).…”

“…None of the studies scored the maximum possible score on the Jadad scale, 19 and one scored as low as two of possible five points. 30 Study participants were described as healthy volunteers, athletes and obese patients. In five studies [21][22][23]26,27 sufficient information was provided to calculate the body mass index identifying the participants as overweight or obese.…”

“…1 The risk of developing, for instance, cancer, diabetes or heart disease increases with the degree of overweight in both men and women. [2][3][4][5] While recent data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) show an increase in the prevalence of obesity from 22.9% in NHANES III (1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994) to 30.5% in NHANES 1999-2000, 6 figures from the UK suggest an increase from 6-8% in 1980 to [15][16].5% in 1994. 7,8 One of the major factors responsible for this phenomenon is a decrease in energy expenditure from physical activity.…”

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

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