Effects of acute chromium supplementation on postprandial metabolism in healthy young men.
BACKGROUND
Chromium (Cr) potentiates the action of insulin in the cell and improves glucose tolerance after long-term supplementation.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that Cr may also have acute effects and might be beneficial in lowering the glycemic index of a meal.


METHODS
We studied the effects of short-term Cr supplementation using a randomized crossover design. Thirteen apparently healthy, non-smoking young men of normal body mass index performed three trials each separated by one week. Test meals, providing 75 g of available carbohydrates, consisted of white bread with added Cr (400 or 800 microg as Cr picolinate) or placebo.


RESULTS
After addition of 400 and 800 microg Cr incremental area under the curve (AUC) for capillary glucose was 23% (p = 0.053) and 20% (p = 0.054), respectively, lower than after the white bread meal. These differences reached significance if the subjects were divided into responders (n = 10) and non-responders (n = 3). For the responders AUC after 400 and 800 microg Cr was reduced by 36% and 30%, respectively (Placebo 175 +/- 22, Cr400 111 +/- 14 (p < 0.01), Cr800 122 +/- 15 mmol. min/L (p < 0.01)). Glycemia was unchanged after addition of Cr in the non-responders. Responders and non-responders differed significantly in their nutrient intake and eating pattern, and total serum iron concentration tended to be lower in the responder group (p = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute chromium supplementation showed an effect on postprandial glucose metabolism in most but not all subjects. The response to Cr may be influenced by dietary patterns.
INW Nutrition Biology, Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland.
Marc T
MT
Frauchiger
Caspar
C
Wenk
Paolo C
PC
Colombani
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002857:Chromium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D002857:Chromium