Nutrition 21s Chromium Histidinate Protects Brain

PURCHASE, N.Y.Chromium histidinate, from Nutrition 21 Inc., helped to protect the brain from damage caused by hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) induced by a high dose of insulin, according to a study presented at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) annual meeting in Washington.

Researchers at Firat University tested the ability of chromium histidinate to protect the brain against hypoglycemia caused by a high dose of injected insulin. They found that rats fed chromium histidinate prior to the insulin injection had significantly less insulin-induced brain damage compared to the untreated control group.

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels become abnormally low; causing an inadequate supply of glucose to the brain that can result in impaired cognitive function, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia is a significant safety concern in people who use insulin as a treatment of diabetes.

These study results showed that administration of chromium histidinate helped protect the brain from damage caused by an overdose of insulin," stated James Komorowski, vice president, research and development, Nutrition 21 Inc. A reduction in the incidence and/or severity of insulin-induced hypoglycemia would have significant value to people with diabetes who use insulin on a daily basis." Komorowski added.

The study is titled Chromium Histidinate Reduces Brain Damage caused by Insulin-induced Hypoglycemia."

Nutrition 21 Inc. , a nutritional bioscience company, holds more than 70 issued and pending patents for dietary supplement ingredients, including chromium picolinate, and combinations of chromium compounds with other ingredients. Its products are sold to dietary supplement, functional food and beverage and animal nutrition manufacturers.