Diabetes Info

Can Chromium Help Diabetics?

February 10th, 2008 | by admin |

More and more diabetics, especially those who do not find the time to control and manage the disease through the time-tested and reliable methods of diet, exercise, and weight control, are turning to supplements, such as chromium. Many studies suggest that chromium picolinate can lower blood sugar levels, and thereby, help control diabetes.

However, the subject of the beneficial qualities of chromium with regard to the treatment of diabetes has been a medical debate for several years. The fact that it is essential for human health, however, is undisputed. It plays a vital role in the processing of carbohydrates and fats. It assists the cells of the body to respond properly to insulin. It is said to promote weight loss, treat diabetes, prevent cardiovascular disorders, build muscles, and alleviate depression.

The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council recommends 50–200 mcg of dietary chromium per day—a fact that has led to a lot of questioning among the American medical community because it suggests that most Americans are chromium deficient. An article titled, “Insulin Amplifier”, published in Taste for Life Magazine, says that diabetics should take at least 200 mcg of chromium two to three times a day.

The best dietary sources of chromium are rice and other whole grains, brewer’s yeast, dried beans, corn and mushrooms, broccoli, organ meats, and processed meats.

It is true that there is a link between Diabetes and chromium. One of the characteristics of Diabetes is a low level of chromium. However, there is no evidence to prove beyond any semblance of doubt that chromium intake is safe and can truly help diabetics. Certain studies, conducted on Chinese subjects, have shown that chromium can help control diabetics. However, several inadequacies have been pointed out in the methodology used for this study. Moreover, laboratory studies have shown that chromium picolinate could cause cancer.

To put it in a nutshell, medical studies on the relationship between chromium intake and the treatment of diabetes are limited and inadequate, and nobody knows if chromium can really help diabetic or even whether it is safe to take chromium.