title: Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chromium treatment has been reported to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, concern exists about the possible toxic effects of chromium picolinate. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chromium treatment in the form of chromium yeast on glycemic control in a Western population of patients with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with oral hypoglycemic agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 6-month, double-blind study, patients with moderate glycemic control, being treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or treatment with 400 microg of chromium daily in the form of chromium yeast. The primary efficacy parameter was a change in A1C. Secondary end points were changes in lipid profile, BMI, blood pressure, body fat, and insulin resistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found for the change in A1C between the intervention and placebo groups, nor were any differences found between the groups for the secondary end points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no evidence that chromium in the form of chromium yeast is effective in improving glycemic control in Western patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking oral hypoglycemic agents.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Centre, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands. kleefstra@langerhans.com
authors.forename: Nanne
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kleefstra
authors.forename: Sebastiaan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Houweling
authors.forename: Stephan J L
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: Rijk O B
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Gans
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyboom-de Jong
authors.forename: Henk J G
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bilo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002857:Chromium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010919:Placebos; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002857:Chromium; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos