Chromium - A cure for Diabetes?
Chromium reduces insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics.
The therapeutic potential was identified in 1957. This unique compound was shown to improve the activity of insulin and facilitate the uptake of glucose into cells.
Chromium now has more than fifty years of research behind it, much of it involving its effect on insulin. As you know, if cells do not respond to insulin – the essence of insulin resistance and the cause of most cases of type 2 diabetes – nutrients simply cannot enter cells. Chromium doesn’t cause the body to make more insulin; it just makes insulin work better.
At least fifteen well-controlled clinical trials examining the effects of chromium supplementation on patients with diabetes, insulin resistance, and other blood sugar abnormalities have shown chromium improves glucose metabolism.
Much of the early chromium research was carried out by Dr. Mertz of the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1975, he gave chromium supplements to six diabetic patients and three demonstrated improved sugar control. Another larger study divided 180 type 2 diabetics into 3 groups: Placebo, supplements containing 100 micrograms, or supplements containing 500 micrograms. No other changes were made in their medications, diets, or activity levels. After 4 months, the patient’s blood was tested and patients taking chromium supplements had reductions in blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol.
Another benefit of chromium is that diabetics may experience modest weight loss. As you know, excess weight, particularly in the abdominal area is common with type 2 diabetes. Although the weight loss is mild and not a cure for obesity, it will improve the body composition by adding muscle and decreasing fat.
Chromium deficiencies are common in America, probably because of our high consumption of sugar and refined grains depletes chromium reserves. Government surveys suggest that most Americans fail to get even 50 micrograms of chromium per day. Chromium supplements come in a wide variety of formulations ranging from 200-500 micrograms.
As always, please discuss this option with your doctor and pharmacist.