Abstract
OBJECTIVE - To investigate the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on the lipid profile of the predominantly Hispanic population of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients in San Antonio, Texas. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A prospective, double-blind, placebo- controlled, crossover study was performed on 14 men and 16 women. Initially, each patient was randomly assigned to receive either chromium picolinate or placebo for 2 months. This initial treatment phase was followed by a 2-month washout period. Subjects were then crossed-over and received the alternate capsule for an additional 2 months. Fasting blood glucose, HbA(1c), and serum lipids were compared at the end of each treatment phase. RESULTS - Twenty- eight of the originally enrolled 30 patients completed the study. There were no adverse reactions to chromium reported. There were no differences noted between the control and chromium-treated subjects in glucose control, high- density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced significantly (17.4%; P < 0.05) during the 2 months of chromium supplementation. CONCLUSIONS - Ours is the first report of a significant reduction in serum TGs in a group of NIDDM patients treated with chromium. The low cost and excellent safety profile of chromium make it an attractive lipid-lowering agent for this population. Long-term studies are needed to determine if the short-term changes in plasma lipids can be sustained.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1449-1452 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Diabetes care |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1994 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Advanced and Specialized Nursing