COMBINED DIETARY CHROMIUM PICOLINATE SUPPLEMENTATION AND AN EXERCISE PROGRAM LEADS TO A REDUCTION OF SERUM-CHOLESTEROL AND INSULIN IN COLLEGE-AGED SUBJECTS

The effects of a 13 week daily chromium picolinate supplementation (10 00 mu g/day) or placebo in a double blind design were examined using 2 0 college-aged students of both genders who were participating in a co mbined aerobic and resistance exercise program. Strength, upper leg/up per ann circumferences, lean body mass, total cholesterol, high densit y lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, gluc ose, and insulin levels were examined in these subjects before and aft er chromium picolinate supplementation with exercise. Exercise alone o r coupled with chromium picolinate supplementation did not produce sig nificant changes in strength, lean body mass, HDL, triglyceride, ferri tin, or glucose levels. However, chromium picolinate supplementation w ith exercise did decrease total cholesterol (P < 0.001), LDL (P < 0.00 2), and insulin (P < 0.02) levels. (J. Nutr. Biochem. 9:471-175, 1998) . (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1998.