Chromium Picolinate I've mentioned before about chromium's ability to regulate blood sugar and lower heart disease risk for those with adult-onset diabetes. I've also talked about how supplementing with this trace mineral may even help prevent developing the disease in the first place. Now another study has revealed even more benefits of chromium supplementation for those with Type 2 diabetes.
This time the study shows that chromium picolinate may help people with Type 2 diabetes avoid the weight gain that comes with using a certain older class of diabetes drug called sulfonylurea. In order to determine this, researchers randomly assigned 29 adults with diabetes to either take the medication plus 1,000 micrograms of chromium picolinate daily or the drug plus a placebo.
After six months, those who supplemented with chromium showed not only more sensitivity to insulin and long-term blood sugar control, but they also gained less weight and body fat than those given the placebo.
While the news about chromium continues to impress, it is best to check with your doctor before adding any new supplement to your overall healthcare plan. Sources:
"Chromium Picolinate Supplementation Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes," Diabetes Care, 2006 29: 1826-1832, and "Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus," American Heart Journal 2005; 149(4): 632-636. |
