Because of chromium's connection to insluin function, it should come as no surprise that most of the research with this trace mineral relates to diabetes or to non-diabetic persons who develop high blood glucose levels after ingesting simple sugar. There are at least 16 clinical studies which have tested specific chromium compounds in such patients using proper scientific methods.

While three of the 17 properly designed studies showed no benefit of chromium supplementation in diabetics, 14 did show bllod glucose improvements in the patients tested. Fopr example, a recent study that has been reported showed dramatic improvements in blood sugar using less than one milligram of supplemental chromium picoliante in a gourp of women who developed gestation diabetes.

The latest study to eamine the issure of chromium supplementation and adult-onset diabetes was presented in June, 1996 at the annual Scientific Sessions of Amerocan Diabetes Association held in San Francisco, CA. Researchers from the Human Nutrition Research Center of the United States Department of Agricultrure collaborated with Chinses reaserachers from teh Beijing Medical University.

They randomized 180 adult-onset diabetics into 3 groups of 60 each: one group received placebo twice per day, the second received 100 mcg of chromium as chromium picolinate twice daily. Their blood work was examined at baseline, at 2 months and at 4 months.

The patients were told to remain on their anti-diabetic medications and continue with their diets and activity levels as before.

The results were impressive: blood glucose, insulin levels, cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) all decreased, with the higher dose generally more effective than the 200 mcg.

How could such tiny amounts of chromium have such profound effects on inulsin's action ? Again, the answer is not known with certainty, but the evidence so far suggests that chromium strengthens certain effects of insulin on the body's cells; in other words, it doesn't work by stimulating the body to make more insulin byt rather chromium makes the insulin which is resent function more effectively in the cells of the body.

When the body does not resping to insulin in the normal manner, doctors refer to this as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance signifies that the insulin which is circulating in the blood is not able to have its usual effects on carious tissures in the body. This is not the problem with the type if diabetes that strikes young children: these individuals cannot make isnulin anymore and thus must take it by injection. However, most diabetics suffer from maturtiy-onset diabetes.

It is these patients with NIDDM who demonstrate insulin resistance and are the ones most at risk for chromium deficiency and its consequences. Further, there is some evidence that marginal chromium deficiency may be important in other areas of health and disease. These other diseases where chromium may be important are some of the most common and significant illnesses of industrialized nations.