Chromium Supplements and Diabetes

Chromium is a metal that’s found in foods such as meats, animal fats, fish, brown sugar, coffee, tea, some spices, whole-wheat and rye breads, and brewer's yeast. There’s long been controversy about its use by people with diabetes. Many diabetics take chromium supplements, but there’s a lack of rigorous studies to support any evidence of benefit. This has changed with the publication of a new study in the journal Diabetes Care.

Thirty seven people with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes were put on a long- Gucotrol-XL®, a sulphonylurea drug, for 3 months. Then they were allocated randomly to Glucotrol plus chromium picolinate (100 micrograms chromium daily, in the form of Chromax®) or to continue with glipizide alone, for a further 6 months.

Measurements made included insulin sensitivity, body weight, body fat and abdominal fat, blood glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels.

In those taking chromium picolinate in addition to Glucotrol had better glucose control, improved insulin sensitivity, and less abdominal fat accumulation after 6 months, compared with those taking Glucotrol alone. There were no serious adverse effects of chromium picolinate.

The findings in this study have to be set against two negative studies published in 2005. A 4-year study of 1,000 micrograms daily of chromium picolinate in lean to obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will hopefully provide a definitive answer. Meanwhile, the controversy continues. As we pointed out, whole grains, ready-to-eat bran cereals, seafood, green beans, broccoli, prunes, nuts, peanut butter, and potatoes are rich in chromium. And more enjoyable than supplements (well, maybe not broccoli and prunes).