


One study suggests that chromium may also be useful for diabetes that occurs during Several, but not all, studies suggest that people with adult-onset (type 2) diabetes may show some improvement when given appropriate dosages of chromium. Chromium also might be helpful for milder abnormalities in blood sugar metabolism. One study suggests that chromium might aid in weight loss, as well, but other studies failed to find this effect.Ĭhromium has principally been studied for its possible benefits in improving blood sugar control in people withĭiabetes. The results have been somewhat positive: it seems fairly likely that chromium supplements can improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. 83-85īased on chromium's close relationship with insulin, this trace mineral has been studied as a treatment for diabetes. LMWCr does not permanently bind chromium and is not a likely source of chromium in foods. Rather, chromium appears to act in concert with a very small protein called low molecular weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) to assist insulin's action. Scientists now believe that there is no such thing as GTF. However, subsequent investigation indicated that researchers were actually creating GTF inadvertently during the process of chemical analysis. Intact GTF was thought to be present in certain foods, such as Brewer’s yeast, and for that reason such products were described as superior sources of chromium. In the past, it was believed that to accomplish this the body first converted chromium into a large chemical called glucose tolerance factor (GTF). Scientists believe that insulin uses chromium as an assistant (technically, aĬofactor) to "unlock the door" to the cell membrane, thus allowing glucose to enter the cell. Insulin plays a starring role in this fundamental biological process, by regulating the movement of glucose out of the blood and into cells. Chromium is a mineral the body needs in very small amounts, but it plays a significant role in human nutrition. Chromium's most important function in the body is to help regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
