Chromium Effects on Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity in Persons at Risk for Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of daily chromium picolinate supplementation on serum measures of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in patients at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, modified cross-over clinical trial with 6-month sequences of intervention and placebo followed by a 6-month postintervention assessment. Adult patients with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or metabolic syndrome were enrolled. Participants received 6-month sequences of chromium picolinate or placebo at 1 of 2 dosages (500 or 1000 mcg daily). Primary outcome measures were change in fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance testing, fasting and 2-hour insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, blood pressure, endothelial function, hemoglobin A1c, lipids, and urinary microalbumin. Results Fifty-nine participants were enrolled. No changes were seen in glucose level, insulin level, or HOMA-IR (all, P>.05) after 6 months of chromium at either dosage level (500 mcg or 1000 mcg daily) when compared with placebo. None of the secondary outcomes improved with either chromium dosage compared with placebo (P>.05). Conclusions Chromium supplementation does not appear to ameliorate insulin resistance or impaired glucose metabolism in patients at risk for type 2 diabetes and thus is unlikely to attenuate diabetes risk.

Low Serum Chromium Is Rare in Patients That Underwent Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Long Term Enteral Feeding

“…Chromium (Cr) is a well-known TE, that displays a major role in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and its deficiency seems to be associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (1,3,26) . Cr acts by reducing insulin resistance, being part of a Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF) that also includes nicotinic acid, glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid (1,4,5,11,14,18,19,22) . Also, Cr may participate in lipid metabolism and may have some effect on body composition.…”

Effect of consumption of micronutrient enriched wheat steamed bread on postprandial plasma glucose in healthy and type 2 diabetic subjects

“…In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that chromium supplements, particularly niacin-bound chromium and/or chromium-nicotinate, may be effective in attenuating insulin resistance and lowering plasma cholesterol levels [17]. In contrast,a few of studies showed that chromium supplementation did not improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes [33,34]. Nevertheless, most research believed that supplemental Cr is beneficial to diabetes patients [16,17,31,32].…”

Impact of a Formulation Containing Unusual Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Trace Elements, Polyphenols and Plant Sterols on Insulin Resistance and Associated Disturbances

“…Clinical studies in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM found that dietary supplementation with 42 lg chromium (as 9 g of brewer's yeast) over 3 months generated significant reductions of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), with a concomitant positive impact on plasma lipids [19]. However, studies in patients with longer-duration T2DM have not found a positive effect of chromium supplementation [20]. Mechanistically, chromium supplementation appears to reduce plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress [21].…”