The review analyzed 15 clinical studies of people with diabetes. All studies showed chromium picolinate produced benefits in one or more standard measures of diabetes management, with no adverse events reported. The studies examined people with type 2, type 1, gestational and corticosteroid-induced diabetes. Although glycemic control varied by trial, all 15 trials showed improvements in one or more measurements of glycemic control, including fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, fasting insulin, postprandial insulin, glycated hemoglobin, or insulin sensitivity. The authors concluded the greater bioavailability of chromium picolinate compared to other forms of chromium may explain its comparatively significant superior effects on glycemic and lipidemic control. Supplemental chromium is available in several forms, including chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, and chromium nicotinate. (3) Research indicates that chromium picolinate, the most studied form of chromium, has enhanced absorption and efficacy. A human clinical study conducted by Ohio State University Department of Nutrition and presented at the 2005 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) annual meeting showed that chromium picolinate is better absorbed than other commercially available forms of chromium. (4) Additionally, an animal study conducted at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that chromium picolinate was better absorbed by the tissues (e.g., liver and muscle) than chromium nicotinate and chromium chloride. (5) Absorption into the tissue is important because for a mineral to be beneficial, it must survive the digestive tract and reach the bloodstream. Otherwise, minerals pass through the body, leaving it void of necessary nutrients. (6)
About the Scientific Review
The studies reviewed in this paper were identified from a number of sources, such as PubMed, Science Direct, and a past review of chromium effects on glycemic control. A total of 1,690 subjects, including 1,505 receiving chromium picolinate, participated in these trials. Twelve of the 15 studies were randomized, controlled trials and three were open-label trials. Chromium picolinate dosages ranged from 200-1000 mcg chromium per day, and the duration of the supplementation ranged from one week to 10 months.
Chromium Picolinate for Diabetes
Chromium picolinate, which is sold in combination with the B-vitamin biotin under the brand name of Diachrome(R) for people with diabetes, is an essential trace mineral that helps to regulate insulin function. The chromium picolinate in Diachrome has been recognized as safe by many of the world's leading government and academic research institutions, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Institute of Medicine and the UK's Food Standards Agency. In addition, biotin has been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is also Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in foods and supplements.
About Nutrition 21
Nutrition 21 is a nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium picolinate-based, selenium and omega-3 fish oil-based supplements with health benefits substantiated by clinical research. Nutrition 21 holds 33 patents for nutrition products and uses. The company markets Chromax(R) chromium picolinate, which is the most-studied form of the essential mineral chromium. Chromax, a supplement for healthy and pre-diabetic people that promotes insulin health and helps improve blood sugar metabolism, cardiovascular disease, control cravings and fight weight gain, is now available through food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. Another chromium picolinate-based supplement developed and marketed by Nutrition 21 is Diachrome(R), a proprietary, non-prescription, insulin sensitizer for people with type 2 diabetes. It is sold in select drug retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 also markets Selenomax(R), a high selenium yeast supplement that stimulates and protects the immune system by supporting antibody production and preventing free-radical damage. Selenomax is available at CVS/pharmacy in all its 6,200 retail stores across the country, including PharmaCare Specialty Pharmacy locations, and on http://www.cvs.com. The Company is the exclusive importer of Icelandic fish oils, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards and sold under the Iceland Health(R) brand. More information is available at http://www.nutrition21.com/.
(1) Broadhurst. CL, Domenico P Clinical Studies on Chromium Picolinate Supplementation in Diabetes Mellitus - A Review. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Dec; 8(6):677-87
(2) Althuis MD, Jordan NE, Ludington EA, Wittes JT. Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jul;76(1):148-55
(3) Dietary Supplements Fact Sheet: Chromium. Accessed November 2, 2005 from http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/chromium.asp.
(4) DiSilvestro, R, et al. Acute Absorption of Various Types of Chromium Supplement Complexes. Accepted for presentation at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) annual meeting, San Diego, CA, April 4, 2005.
(5) Anderson, RA, et al. Lack of Toxicity of Chromium Chloride and chromium Picolinate in Rats. J Amer Coll Nut Vol. 16, No. 3 1997; 273- 279.
(6) Q&A. Accessed October 26, 2005 from http://www.traceminerals.com/questions.html.
Nutrition 21
http://www.nutrition21.com
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Published Study Shows Benefits Of Diachrome For People With Type 2 Diabetes
Nutrition 21, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXXI) has announced the results of a recent placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized, single center study that demonstrated that Diachrome®, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, safely improves blood glucose levels and cholesterol metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Published in the December issue of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, the study supports the role of chromium picolinate - the most studied, highly absorbed and efficacious form of chromium - plus biotin as a safe and effective nutritional adjunct therapy in diabetes care.
The 30-day study examined thirty-six overweight or obese poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes taking Diachrome who were already receiving oral anti-diabetic drug(s). The results also showed a significantly greater reduction in the total area under the curve for glucose (AUCg) during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the treatment group (mean change -9.7%) compared with the placebo group (mean change +5.1%). Mean fructosamine levels, a measure of the average blood glucose level during a period of three weeks, were also significantly reduced in the treatment group (-1.3 mmol/L) compared to the placebo group (0.7 mmol/L).
"Results from this pilot study promote the potential benefits of supplementing chromium picolinate and biotin with one's daily diabetes care regimen," said Gregory Singer, MD, lead author and cardiovascular medicine specialist at Yale University School of Medicine. "Chromium picolinate with biotin represents an adjunctive strategy to conventional oral diabetes therapy for improved blood sugar control and cholesterol metabolism."
A larger 400 patient, 90-day randomized placebo controlled study to determine the effects of chromium picolinate/biotin on hemoglobin A1c and other risk factors in type 2 diabetes is expected to be published next year.
"Previous studies have demonstrated that chromium picolinate can significantly impact A1c and other critical markers in people with type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Singer. "Additional research currently underway may provide us with further understanding of the supplement's role in the management of type 2 diabetes."
Another study released this month at the 19th World Diabetes Congress meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrated that supplementing with chromium picolinate, an active ingredient in Diachrome, led to significant improvements in blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes over a six-year period. In addition to existing treatments, 1056 patients with diabetes ages 20 to 90 years old were observed among nine sites before and during supplementation with 500 mcg daily of chromium as chromium picolinate for one to six years. A significant decrease in fasting glucose levels of 4.67 mmol/L and postprandial glucose levels of 5.77 mmol/L was seen in patients taking chromium picolinate. The study showed that blood glucose levels continued to improve each year throughout the six years of the study.
"This study - one of the largest and longest clinical trials measuring chromium picolinate's effects on blood glucose levels - underscores the nutrition supplement's beneficial role in helping manage type 2 diabetes," said lead investigator Nancy Cheng, MD, PhD, Senior Director of Tang-An Diabetic Clinic and Education Center in Beijing.
Chromax® chromium picolinate, found in Diachrome and used in these studies, has been recognized as safe by many of the world's leading government and academic research institutions, including the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the Institute of Medicine and the UK's Food Standards Agency. In addition, biotin has been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration and is also Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in foods and supplements.
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About Diachrome
Diachrome is a non-prescription nutrient-based therapy formulated to help support blood glucose management in people with diabetes. It is composed of two safe and beneficial nutrients: chromium (as Chromax® chromium picolinate) and biotin (a B-vitamin). A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that Diachrome's unique ingredient combination has positive effects on insulin function, blood glucose, lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. The nutritional therapy can be found in retail stores nationwide.
About Nutrition 21
Nutrition 21 is a nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium-based and omega-3 fish oil-based supplements with health benefits substantiated by clinical research. The company markets Chromax® chromium picolinate, http://www.chromax.com/, which is the most-studied form of the essential mineral chromium. Chromax, a supplement for healthy and pre-diabetic people that promotes insulin health and helps improve blood sugar metabolism, cardiovascular disease, control carbohydrate cravings and fight weight gain, is now available through food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 also developed and markets Diachrome®, http://www.diachrome.com/ , a proprietary, non-prescription, insulin sensitizer for people with type 2 diabetes. It is available in select drug retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 holds 33 patents for nutrition products and uses, 23 of which are for chromium compounds and their uses. The Company is the exclusive importer of Icelandic fish oils, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards and sold under the Iceland Health® brand, http://www.icelandhealth.info/. More information is available at Nutrition 21.
Sarah Yeager
Nutrition 21
Chad Hyett
National Survey Shows Women Overlook Common Warning Signs Associated With Poor Blood Sugar Management, Raising The Risk For Diabetes And Heart Disease
For women, excess weight in the mid-section, frequent fatigue and carbohydrate cravings may be the warning signs of something more serious. A new survey commissioned by the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) showed that 75 percent of women ages 40-65 who had not been diagnosed with, but had a family history of diabetes or heart disease, reported that they experienced these symptoms. However, nearly one-third (32%) of all women surveyed did not know they could be signs of impaired insulin function, a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The most common symptoms experienced were excess weight in the mid-section (62%), frequent fatigue (36%) and carbohydrate cravings (30%).
"When women who don't have diabetes hear the word 'insulin' they tune out because they think it doesn't apply to them. It is critical for women to look at these common symptoms as a wake up call and understand that insulin health is important for all of us," said Audrey Sheppard, President and CEO of NWHRC, the leading independent health information source for women. "Our goal is to educate women about the important role blood sugar plays in preventing disease and how simple physical and dietary changes can help improve their overall health."
The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) and funded through an unrestricted grant by Nutrition 21, also found that 94 percent of U.S. adult women were unaware that low levels of the mineral chromium have a direct impact on blood sugar. Furthermore, only 10 percent of women reported that their daily diet contains sufficient amounts of chromium as recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Chromium is an essential mineral that helps improve insulin health the same way calcium helps promote bone health.
In response to these survey results, a new campaign, What's This B.lood S.ugar - The Ins and Outs of Insulin Health, is being introduced to address this knowledge gap. Women can evaluate their insulin health and stay current on the latest news and research by visiting the campaign Web site, http://www.BloodSugarFactor.com. Additionally, NWHRC has created tools to help women better understand and take care of their blood sugar. These tools are available for download at http://www.HealthyWomen.org/bloodsugar or by calling the organization's toll-free number, 877-986-9472.
"After age 40, the risk for heart disease and diabetes increases significantly, especially if you have a family history of these conditions," said Carolyn O'Neil, MS, RD, and author of the best-selling book, The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous. "Insulin health needs to be a top priority in the women's health dialogue and this campaign is the first step. Hopefully, once they learn more, women will realize that the 4 o'clock craving for a cookie might be telling them something more about their health."
The Chromium Connection
Chromium is an essential mineral required to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Without adequate levels of chromium in the body, insulin cannot effectively do its job.
While chromium is found in many foods such as broccoli, cheese and bananas, it is at trace levels and is often poorly absorbed. This is where a chromium picolinate supplement can help. Chromium picolinate, the only form of chromium with a qualified health claim from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledging its safety, has enhanced absorption and efficacy. Numerous studies support the role of chromium picolinate in helping to improve overall insulin function. While the recommended dose can vary, clinical studies report that a daily dosage of 200-500 mcg can help achieve optimal health benefits.
"As a nutritionist, everyday I encourage people to be active and eat a balanced diet. However, the average American only gets about 1-2 mcg of chromium per serving, which is why a supplement is necessary. Women should choose a brand that is considered safe and effective. A good example is Chromax(R), the brand of chromium that has been shown to work best, is the most studied, and its safety has been validated by government health authorities," said O'Neil.
About the Survey
This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) between August 10 and August 14, 2006 among 1,377 U.S. adult women 18 years of age or older. Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
With a pure probability sample of 1,377 adults one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-4 percentage points. The sampling error for the sub-samples of women who take individual vitamin or mineral supplements (n=492), women ages 40-65 who have not been diagnosed with heart disease or type 2 diabetes and do not have a family history of heart disease or type 2 diabetes (n=682), and women ages 40-65 who have not been diagnosed with heart disease or type 2 diabetes but do have a family history of heart disease or type 2 diabetes (n=578) is higher and varies. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
About NWHRC
The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is the leading independent health information source for women. The non-profit organization develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information.
About Nutrition 21
Nutrition 21 is a nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium-based supplements with health benefits substantiated by clinical research. The company markets Chromax(R) chromium picolinate, http://www.chromax.com/, which is the most-studied form of the essential mineral chromium. Chromax, a supplement for healthy and pre-diabetic people that promotes insulin health and helps improve blood sugar metabolism, cardiovascular disease, control carbohydrate cravings and fight weight gain, is now available through food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 also developed and markets Diachrome(R), http://www.diachrome.com/, a proprietary, non-prescription, insulin sensitizer for people with type 2 diabetes. It is available in select drug retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 holds 36 patents for nutrition products and uses, 27 of which are for chromium compounds and their uses. More information is available at http://www.nutrition21.com.
The National Women's Health Resource Center was provided an unrestricted grant by Nutrition 21, the makers of Chromax, to help fund education efforts.
Nutrition 21
http://www.nutrition21.com
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