It was reported according to a previous study that high dose of chromium is used to control blood sugar levels. This is reported only in specific populations of patients with type 2 diabetes.
But according to the new study conducted by Dr. Nanne Kleefstra, of Isala Clinics, Zwolle, the Netherlands, and colleagues it said that high-dose chromium supplementation does not improve blood-sugar control or other parameters in obese patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. The new study examined the effect of chromium treatment over a period of 6-month in 53 obese insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes patients within a Western population.All participants had elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a common measure of blood sugar, and insulin requirements greater than 50 units/day. The patients were randomly given placebo or 500 or 1000 micrograms of chromium daily. Out of the 53 patients only 46 completed the study. About 17 received placebo, 14 received 500 micrograms chromium, and 15 received 1000 micrograms chromium.
But the results showed that chromium did not produce any greater reductions in HbA1c than placebo. Hence further independent studies using a large number of people may be necessary to further investigate the possible effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in Western populations.
