Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA(1)C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetes

Project: Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It influences glucose metabolism by potentiating the action as taking part in insulin signal amplification mechanism. A placebo-controlled single blind, prospective study was carried out to investigate the effect of chromium supplementation on blood glucose, HbA(1)C and lipid profile in newly onset patients with type-2 diabetes. Procedure: Total 40 newly onset type-2 diabetics were selected and after 1 month stabilization further randomly divided into two groups viz, study group and placebo group. The study group received 9g brewer's yeast (42 mu g Cr) daily and the other placebo group received yeast devoid of chromium for 3 months. Subjects were instructed not to change their normal eating and living habits. Fasting blood glucose. HbA1C and lipid profile were analyzed at beginning and completion of the study. Results: Results revealed that fasting blood glucose level significantly reduced in the subjects consuming yeast supplemented with chromium (197.65 +/- 6.68 to 103.68 +/- 6.64 mg/dL; p < 0.001). HbA(1)C values improved significantly from 9.51 +/- 0.26% to 6.86 +/- 0.28%; p < 0.001 indicating better glycaemic control. In experimental group total cholesterol. TG and LDL levels were also significantly reduced from 199.66 +/- 3.11 to 189.26 +/- 3.01 mg/dL; p < 0.02, 144.94 +/- 8.31 to 126.01 +/- 8.26; p < 0.05 and 119.19 +/- 1.71 to 99.58 +/- 1.10; p < 0.001 respectively. Conclusions: These data demonstrate beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid variables in subjects with newly onset type-2 diabetes. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.