Collaborative work between IFR, the Bertram Diabetes
Research Unit at the West Norwich Hospital, and the Central Science
Laboratory in York has investigated this question. Researchers found that
supplements of chromium rich yeast had no effect in patients whose diet
was not deficient in chromium.
Chromium is essential for the control of insulin
action, and it has been suggested that marginal chromium deficiency may be
a factor in maturity onset (type 2, non-insulin dependent) diabetes. A
biologically active form of chromium, known as glucose tolerance factor,
is thought to be present in yeast, and may affect glucose and insulin
metabolism. This study investigated whether moderate supplementation with
chromium rich yeast improved patients' control of their blood sugar
levels.
Adults with type 2 diabetes, but otherwise in good
health, took capsules containing chromium rich yeast (110m
g chromium per day) for 8 weeks. Volunteers underwent a glucose tolerance
test at the start and finish of the study. Fasting glucose
concentrations and glucose areas under the curve profiles did not alter
significantly post supplementation; no significant changes in insulin and
lipoprotein concentrations were observed.
These results are different to those found by other
researchers using inorganic forms of chromium. Previous work has suggested
improved glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels in non-diabetic patients
with high blood sugar or cholesterol. However, this work has used higher
doses of a different form of chromium.
Speaking about the research Professor Sue
Fairweather-Tait said "This study has clearly shown that maturity
onset diabetes is not the result of chromium deficiency and does not
respond to adding high chromium yeast to the diet".
Lack of effect of dietary chromium supplementation on
glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and lipoprotein levels in patients with
Type 2 diabetes by Liam Trow et al. (2000) International
Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research 70 (1) 14-18
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