Chromium
Chromium and Insulin Resistance
1000 mcg chromium picolinate improved insulin sensitivity by 35% in women with PCOS
Women with PCOS took 1000 mcg of chromium picolinate for two months, at which time their glucose disposal (insulin sensitivity) had improved by an average of 35%, and their baseline insulin levels fell by 22%.
Insulin Resistance and Miscarriage
Chromium lower in type 2 diabetics
Compared with healthy controls, researchers have found 33% lower plasma levels of chromium and 100% higher urine values in type 2 diabetics, suggesting a disruption in the ability to sustain appropriate chromium status.
Chromium improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics
Chromium yeast supplementation alone and combined of chromium yeast together with vitamins C and E was effective for minimization of oxidative stress and improvement of glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes patients.
Chromium was not associated with insulin sensitivity in pregnant women
The median chromium concentrations did not differ significantly between pregnant women with normal and those with abnormal glucose tolerance.
Chromium has no effect on insulin resistance in nondiabetics
A recent meta-analysis of 15 randomized clinical trials reported that chromium had no effect on glucose or insulin concentrations in nondiabetic individuals.
Chromium Safety
Chromium picolinate may cause birth defects in mice
From gestation days 6-17, pregnant mice were fed diets containing either 200 mg/kg chromium picolinate, 200 mg/kg chromium chloride, 174 mg/kg picolinic acid, or the diet only to determine if chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, or picolinic acid could cause developmental toxicity. The incidence of bifurcated cervical arches was significantly increased in fetuses from the chromium picolinate group as compared to the diet-only group. Fetuses in the picolinic acid-treated group had an incidence double that of the control group; however, this increase was not statistically significant. Fetuses in the chromium chloride group did not differ from the controls in any variable examined.
Chromium and chromium picolinate does not cause birth defects in mice
Maternal exposure to either chromium picolinate or chromium at the dosages employed did not appear to cause deleterious effects to the developing offspring in mice.
Chromium Information
Stress may lead to chromium deficiency
Use of corticosteroids (which are similar to the stress hormone cortisol) can increase urinary chromium excretion, which might lead to chromium deficiency and/or corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia.
Other topics covered under Vitamins:
Biotin, Calcium, Choline, Chromium, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Multivitamins, Phosphorus, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Zinc