Chromium and Diabetes

Diabetes is a world-wide problem that is especially widespread in India, China and the United States. Within the US, diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases with more than 7% of the adult population inflicted. It is rapidly rising in occurrence in the childhood population as well. It is even more common in senior citizens, Latino, African-American, Asian and Pacific Island-American and Native American populations. The foundation of diabetes management consists of introducing a regular exercise routine along with a menu that highlights increased intake of fresh vegetables, fruits and low glycemic impact complex carbohydrates, and a reduced intake of saturated and trans-fatty acids.

In conjunction with diet and exercise regimes, there are a large range of adjuvant integrative therapies based on nutrients alone. Many nutrients such as biotin, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, essential fatty acids, inositol hexaniacinate, alpha-lipoic acid, magnesium, manganese,
-acetyl cysteine, vanadyl sulfate, vitami
B12, vitami
B6, vitami
C, vitami
E and vitami
K are beneficial for the pre-diabetic as well as the diabetic individual. In addition, individual plants, traditional plant formulations and single phytonutrients increase the number of treatment options.

Chromium, a trace mineral, is one of the most highly researched nutrients for its part in glucose metabolism as well as the chances of improving diabetes. Chromium helps bring glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. At the same time, chromium assists in making the cells of the body more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Since 2000, three randomized controlled trials and one clinical study have shown the potential blood glucose-lowering effect of chromium supplementation.

Foods loaded with chromium (turkey ham, grape juice, whole grain cereals and breads, broccoli, green beans and potatoes) are important to incorporate in a diabetic diet. Additionally, supplementation with doses of chromium from 25 - 400 ucg/day can also be useful.