Chromium May Benefit Elderly Diabetics

CHICAGO--At the Gerontological Society of America meeting, held here Nov. 14 to 18, researcher Haim Rabinovitz presented a study that showed chromium supplements may lower glucose and cholesterol levels in elderly diabetics.

Rabinovitz, from Shmuel Harofe Hospital in Tel-Aviv, Israel, studied the effects of chromium supplementation on 39 diabetics (average age 73 years old). Study participants took 200 mcg of chromium twice a day for three weeks while consuming a low-calorie, low-sugar diet. Researchers collected blood samples, dietary intake levels and body composition data at the beginning and end of the study.

Participants' blood glucose levels dropped from an average of 189 mg to 150 mg per deciliter, and total cholesterol reduced from 225 mg to 211 mg. According to the media outlet Reuters, Rabinovitz said he believes chromium works by increasing the sensitivity of the patients' cells to insulin in order to use the hormone more effectively. To learn more, visit www.geron.org.