Chromium Picolinate May Treat PCOS

Chromium Picolinate May Treat PCOS

SAN ANTONIOChromiumpicolinate may be an effective treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS),according to a study presented at the American Society for Reproductive MedicineConference (ASRM) in San Antonio, Texas, and published in a supplement to theSeptember 2003 issue of Fertility and Sterility (80 Suppl 3:45-46, 2003).PCOS is an endocrine disorder associated with infertility, anovulation, obesity,hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance; women with PCOS have a higher risk forglucose intolerance, gestational diabetes and Type II diabetes.

Women with PCOS and insulin resistance were supplemented with 1,000 mcg/d of chromium picolinate, in the form of Chromaxchromium picolinate (supplied by Purchase, N.Y.-based Nutrition 21).Glucose disposal rate (RD) was measured at baseline and two months aftersupplementation. Measurements were taken by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clampwith heated hand technique. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were alsomeasured. After two months, RD had improved by 6 percent to 69 percent, with amean improvement of 29.5 percent. Women with the most insulin resistance atbaseline saw the greatest improvements. There was no significant change in bodymass index, waist-to-hip ratio or LH-to- FSH ratio. One subject, however, had aspontaneous menstrual period.

Some medications prescribed to treat PCOS (for which there isno PCOSspecific drug), such as insulin-sensitizing agents, produce unwanted sideeffects, according to Nutrition 21. Chromium picolinate has few side effects,according to the study, and could have potential as a long term preventivemeasure against Type II diabetes in high-risk women.