EFFECTS OF CHROMIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON FASTING INSULIN LEVELS AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY, NONOBESE YOUNG SUBJECTS

Trivalent chromium is an essential trace element for normal carbohydra te metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Because of this biological acti vity, chromium supplementation has been studied as a potential therapy of insulin resistant states and dyslipidemias, and has been promoted as a health aid to the general population. To determine if there is a risk of subclinical chromium deficiency in young, otherwise healthy ad ults, we evaluated the effect of chromium supplementation, versus plac ebo, on insulin levels and serum lipids in a double-blind, randomized trial in 26 young adults (mean age 36 years). Fasting levels of glucos e, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and lipids (total cholesterol, HDL ch olesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides) were measured before and af ter 90 days of daily supplementation with a chromium (III)-nicotinate preparation, containing 220 mu g elemental chromium, or placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage chang e of fasting glucose, IRI or lipids between the chromium (n = 15) and placebo (n = 11) groups after 90 days of supplementation. However, tho se individuals within the chromium group with initial fasting IRI leve ls greater than 35 pmol/l had a significant decrease in IRI level afte r supplementation (P < 0.03) despite no significant changes in serum l ipids. These subjects may benefit from chromium supplementation by imp roving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk over time.