Oral Chromium Picolinate Found To Improve Insulin Resistance,Lower Cholesterol

Oral Chromium Picolinate Found To Improve Insulin Resistance,Lower Cholesterol

BURLINGTON, Vt.--Obese rats that were administeredoral chromium picolinate for three months exhibited improved insulin sensitivityand glucose disappearance as compared to control rats, according to researchersfrom the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Canadian colleagues fromthe University of Alberta in Edmonton who published their study in the Juneissue of the Journal of Nutrition (132, 6:1107-14, 2002) (www.nutrition.org).Because previous research suggested that chromium picolinate decreases insulinlevels and improves glucose disposal in obese and diabetic populations,investigators sought to determine whether oral chromium picolinatesupplementation would aid in the treatment of insulin resistance syndrome.

Male lean and obese hyperinsulinemic rats (rats with insulinresistance syndrome) were randomly assigned to either a control group or to atreatment group, receiving oral chromium picolinate (80 mcg/kg/d) in water.After three months, the obese rats in the treatment group had significantlylower fasting insulin levels and improved glucose disappearance compared withobese controls. In addition, the obese rats in the treatment group exhibitedlower plasma total cholesterol and elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL,"good") cholesterol levels compared to control.

Chromium picolinate supplementation was also seen tosignificantly enhance membrane-associated glucose transporter (Glut)-4 in obeserats after insulin stimulation, which relates to the body's ability to disposeof glucose properly. The Glut-4 transporter is required for moving glucose intocells where it can be burned. "These Glut-4 translocators have to go to thecell surface, and they basically make an opening in the surface of the cell toallow the glucose to go in to be metabolized," explained James Komorowski,director of technical affairs at Purchase, N.Y.-based Nutrition 21, the companythat provided the active compound (as Chromax chromium picolinate) for thestudy. According to researchers, while there was no difference in total skeletalmuscle Glut-4 transporter among the groups, chromium picolinate supplementationwas shown to enhance the activity of the Glut-4 transporter in the obese rats.

Researchers also noted that chromium picolinate supplementationdid not alter plasma glucose or cholesterol levels in the lean rats."That's a good thing in that if there's a healthy, normal animal, theadministration doesn't lower blood sugar levels below normal," Komorowskisaid. "It was only effective in lowering elevated blood sugar levels inanimals that had bad carbohydrate metabolism. But it didn't change levels in thenormal animals, which you wouldn't want it to do."

In related news, Gail Montgomery, president and chief executiveofficer of Nutrition 21, announced that data presented at Experimental Biology'sAnnual Scientific Conference, held in New Orleans on April 22, supported therole of chromium picolinate supplementation for reducing cardiovascular diseaserisk factors. Chromium picolinate supplementation was shown to significantlylower elevated total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or"bad") cholesterol, as well as improve HDL cholesterol levels. Thisimprovement can result in a 15-percent decrease in the risk of heart disease.The cholesterol-lowering benefits of chromium picolinate supplementation arepatented by Nutrition 21 (www.nutrition21.com).

Montgomery also announced the launch of a broad collaborativeinitiative to evaluate the clinical benefits of the company's Diachrome, acombination of chromium picolinate and biotin, on blood sugar control forpatients with Type II diabetes. Diabetes educators representing more than 20managed care organizations, hospitals, clinics and government agencies willadminister the program to more than 500 patients nationwide, providing them withpatient care kits that include a three-month supply of Diachrome furnished byNature's Bounty, and patient education literature supplied by the AmericanDiabetes Association. Nutrition 21 plans to announce the interim results fromthe first phase of the study at a medical conference this fall.