Chromium Picolinate: Best Chromium Form to Clinically Benefit Diabetics

Filed in archive Studies , Treatment on February 2, 2007

A peer-reviewed analysis of Chromium Picolinate, published in the current edition of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, confirms that chromium picolinate is effective in improving glycemic control and normalizing lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes. (1)

After analysis of researches on chromium picolinate, the review, supports the consistent beneficial effects of chromium picolinate and refutes a previous review that analyzed efficacy after combining results from all types of supplemental chromium. (2)

According to C. Leigh Broadhurst, PhD, Research Chemist, the lead author of the publication:

"The main messages are that all forms of chromium are not equivalent, and that higher doses of chromium picolinate are required for people with type 2 diabetes. Previous chromium reviews examined all types of chromium at widely varying doses. But separating out chromium picolinate, which yields highly consistent results in research studies, compared to other chromium supplements shows that at doses between 200-1000 mcg it is a superior nutritional adjunct to diabetes treatments."

Chromium picolinate is sold in combination with the B-vitamin biotin under the brand name of Diachrome® and is marketed by Nutrition 21, which also markets Chromax® chromium picolinate.

Read the full report.

Find article abstract here.

(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