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Health News Archive 389 - Blood Glucose
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Chromium Picolinate Reduces Weight, Fat, and Abdominal Fat Gain

In a study just published in the August 2006 journal Diabetes Care, 29 adults suffering with elevated blood sugar were randomly assigned to receive the pharmaceutical drug sulfonylurea plus 1,000 mcg of chromium picolinate per day, or the drug plus placebo. The trial went on for six months.

Those patients given the drug and placebo had a significant increase in body weight by an average of about five pounds, with an increase in percentage of body fat and total abdominal fat. However, those who were randomized to receive the drug plus chromium picolinate had significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and long-term blood sugar control. Additionally, they gained less weight and less body fat.

Chromium is an essential mineral required for the optimal utilization of blood sugar for cellular energy. Unfortunately, the average American consumes far less than the optimal levels proven effective. Supplements appear to be essential to reach this optimal level of 200 to 400 mcg per day for healthy people and 500 to 1,000 mcg per day for those with elevations of blood sugar.

The researchers concluded, "This study demonstrates that chromium picolinate supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes who are taking sulfonylurea agents significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. Further, chromium picolinate supplementation significantly attenuated body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation compared with the placebo group."

Source: Julie Martin, Zhong Q. Wang, Xian H. Zhang, Deborah Wachtel, et. al. Chromium Picolinate Supplementation Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2006 29: 1826-1832.

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