Pregnancy support - Treatment
Chromium -
updated: 03 November 2008
Chromium, glucose intolerance and diabetes
J Am Coll Nutr. 1998 Dec;17(6):548-55
Anderson RA.
Within the last 5 years chromium (Cr) has been shown to play a role in glucose intolerance, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), and gestational diabetes. In addition, diabetes and the neuropathy of a patient on home parenteral nutrition were alleviated when supplemental Cr was added to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. In a study conducted in China that has been supported by studies in the United States, supplemental Cr as Cr picolinate improved the blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1C in people with Type 2 DM in a dose dependent manner. Follow-up studies of > 1 year have confirmed these studies. The requirement for Cr is related to the degree of glucose intolerance: 200 microg/day of supplemental Cr is adequate to improve glucose variables of those who are mildly glucose intolerant. However, people with more overt impairments in glucose tolerance and diabetes usually require more than 200 microg/day. Daily intake of 8 microg of Cr per kg body weight was also more effective than 4 microg/kg in women with gestational diabetes. The mechanism of action of Cr involves increased insulin binding, increased insulin receptor number, and increased insulin receptor phosphorylation. In summary, supplemental Cr has been shown to have beneficial effects without any documented side effects on people with varying degrees of glucose intolerance ranging from mild glucose intolerance to overt Type 2 DM.
Publication Types:
Online - Article
Chromium in the prevention and control of diabetes
Diabetes Metab. 2000 Feb;26(1):22-7.
Anderson RA.
Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in the metabolism of glucose, insulin and blood lipids. Suboptimal dietary intake of chromium is associated with increased risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Within the past five years, chromium has been shown to improve glucose and related variables in subjects with glucose intolerance and type 1, type 2, gestational and steroid-induced diabetes. Severe neuropathy and glucose intolerance of a patient on total parenteral nutrition, who was receiving currently recommended levels of chromium, were reversed by additional supplemental chromium. Chromium increases insulin binding to cells, insulin receptor number and activates insulin receptor kinase leading to increased insulin sensitivity. Additional studies are urgently needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of chromium and its role in the prevention and control of diabetes.
Publication Types:
Online - Abstract
Hair chromium content of women with gestational diabetes compared with nondiabetic pregnant women
Am J Clin Nutr. 1992 Jan;55(1):104-7
Aharoni A, Tesler B, Paltieli Y, Tal J, Dori Z, Sharf M.
Hair chromium concentration (HCC) of normal and diabetic pregnant women was determined by atomic-absorption spectroscopy. For nondiabetic pregnant women the value from 68 hair samples was 472 +/- 61 ng/g (mean +/- 95% CI); for gestational diabetics it was 734 +/- 155 ng/g from 42 hair samples. The difference was highly significant (P less than 0.005). Intermediate hair chromium concentrations were observed in 20 pregnant women with pregestational, overt diabetes mellitus (mean: 575 +/- 182 ng/g). Fifty-two women had a second hair sample taken later during pregnancy that showed a significant decrease in HCC (P less than 0.05). However, this decrease was confirmed only for the diabetic pregnant group. Age and parity did not influence the HCC. The data suggest that impaired utilization of chromium may be a possible etiology for gestational diabetes mellitus.
Publication Types:
Online - Article
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