title: Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum triglyceride levels in NIDDM.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on the lipid profile of the predominantly Hispanic population of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients in San Antonio, Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed on 14 men and 16 women. Initially, each patient was randomly assigned to receive either chromium picolinate or placebo for 2 months. This initial treatment phase was followed by a 2-month washout period. Subjects were then crossed-over and received the alternate capsule for an additional 2 months. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and serum lipids were compared at the end of each treatment phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight of the originally enrolled 30 patients completed the study. There were no adverse reactions to chromium reported. There were no differences noted between the control and chromium-treated subjects in glucose control, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced significantly (17.4%; P < 0.05) during the 2 months of chromium supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ours is the first report of a significant reduction in serum TGs in a group of NIDDM patients treated with chromium. The low cost and excellent safety profile of chromium make it an attractive lipid-lowering agent for this population. Long-term studies are needed to determine if the short-term changes in plasma lipids can be sustained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7877.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reasner
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C030614:picolinic acid