Nutrition 21 Announces Chromium Picolinate Research Results

Nutrition 21 Announces Chromium Picolinate Research Results

PURCHASE, N.Y.--Chromium picolinate hasapplications in many facets of human health, perhaps the foremost of which isits effects in insulin function and preventing Type II diabetes, according toNutrition 21 (www.nutrition21.com). Thecompany announced results of several studies presented recently at twoconferences.

The first conference, Experimental Biology 2003, was held in SanDiego April 11 to 15. A study presented there demonstrated Nutrition 21'sDiachrome (chromium picolinate plus biotin) was effective for lowering totaland LDL cholesterol levels, as well as raising HDL cholesterol levels, inpatients with Type II diabetes. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double blindstudy involved 34 participants who were given a beverage fortified withDiachrome or a placebo beverage for 12 weeks.

"The cardiovascular benefits seen in the study aresignificant for people with diabetes," said Vijaya Juturu, Ph.D., nutritionscientist at Nutrition 21. "In light of the fact that so many Americanshave Type II diabetes and are at risk for cardiovascular complications, we areencouraged by the cholesterol improvements achieved by those participants whoreceived the beverage fortified with Diachrome."

Also at Experimental Biology 2003, researchers announced thatAmericans may not be meeting the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Adequate Intake(AI) for chromium, which is set at 25 mcg/d to 35 mcg/d, according to thecompany. "Overall the study suggests that American diets are inadequate inthe essential mineral chromium," Juturu said. "Chromium is found invery small quantities in food and it is difficult to estimate how much chromiumwe normally consume."

Additional chromium research was presented at the non-profitCouncil for the Advancement of Diabetes Research and Education (CADRE) summit,"Chromium in Health and Disease," which was held in Boston in April.Research topics included chromium's role in insulin resistance, and thesubsequent effects on obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes,polycystic ovarian syndrome and atypical depression.