Nutrition 21 Continues Work with Chromium Picolinate

Nutrition 21 Continues Work with Chromium Picolinate

PURCHASE, N.Y.--Nutrition 21 made several announcements in February concerning its work with chromium picolinate. First, the company filed a patent application based on the results of research identifying an isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) resulting in a significant increase in glucose metabolism without addition of insulin. The research also showed that combining the isomer with chromium picolinate resulted in enhanced glucose metabolism. "The results of this early research could have significant implications for the pharmaceutical treatment of both Type I and Type II diabetes," said Gail Montgomery, president and chief executive officer.

Nutrition 21 also announced that it acquired patents covering drugs combining chromium picolinate and an antidepressant. Initial studies demonstrated that chromium increases the effectiveness of antidepressants in relieving the symptoms of depression (U.S. Patent No. 5,898,036) and premenstrual syndrome (No. 5,877,171). The patents were held by a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill; terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Nutrition 21 (www.Nutrition21.com) is now sponsoring a study at Duke University Medical Center to further examine the effects of chromium on mood regulation.

Finally, the company noted that its ingredient, Diachrome™, has been included in a line of dietary supplements from NBTY. The products will be available in Vitamin World retail stores and through the Puritan's Pride catalog and Web site. Diachrome combines chromium picolinate and biotin to help with blood sugar regulation.