Description

Maintenance of normal blood sugar levels

Physiology:

Chromium is an essential trace element that helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels. This essential trace element is frequently found deficient in routine hair analysis demonstrating the need for regular supplementation in the diet.

In a trial of 180 Type 2 diabetics, subjects received either 200 mcg/day or 1000 mcg/day of chromium or placebo for four months. Results showed significant improvement in the group that took 1000 mcg/day of chromium. An Israeli investigation of Type 2 diabetes found that almost half of the subjects were able to reduce dosages of their antidiabetic medications after the chromium supplementation was initiated.[1]

To determine whether ascorbic acid can enhance the absorption of chromium in humans, three women consumed a 1 mg test dose of Cr with (Cr+AA) or without (Cr-AA) 100 mg ascorbic acid. Blood was sampled at 30-minute intervals for 4 hours and again at 8 hours. The plasma fraction was partially digested enzymatically and Cr was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Hourly plasma Cr levels were consistently higher following the Cr+AA dose compared with the Cr-AA dose. The percent increases for the three subjects, calculated from the integrated areas under the plasma appearance curves, were 144%, 277% and 448%. Since the Cr that is absorbed from many customary diets is only marginal for maintaining Cr balance, the coincident ingestion of ascorbic acid with Cr may play a salutary role in the prevention of human Cr deficiency.[2]

Indications:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Glucose intolerance
• Elevated cholesterol
• Prevention of adult-onset diabetes

Label Claim:

• Helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
• Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth and gums.
• Helps in connective tissue formation.
• Helps in wound healing.
• An antioxidant for the maintenance of good health.
• Helps to prevent vitamin C deficiency.

[1] Improving management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:6. Chromium; Kuritzky L, Samraj GPN, Quillen Dm, Hospital Practice, February 15, 2000: 113-116. 34430

[2] Promotion for chromium absorption by ascorbic acid. Trace elements and Electrolytes, Vol 11, No 4-1994 (178-181).

NPN: 02245236