A Double-Blind, Randomized Pilot Trial of Chromium Picolinate for Overweight Individuals with Binge-Eating Disorder: Effects on Glucose Regulation.
OBJECTIVE
Chromium treatment has been shown to improve glucose regulation in some populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation improves glucose regulation in overweight individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED).


METHODS
In this double-blinded randomized pilot trial, participants (N = 24) were randomized to high (HIGH, 1000 mcg/day, n = 8) or moderate (MOD, 600 mcg/day, n = 9) dose of CrPic or placebo (PL, n = 7) for 6 months. Participants completed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Fixed effects models were used to estimate mean change in glucose area under the curve (AUC), insulinAUC, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI).


RESULTS
Results revealed a significant group and time interaction (p < 0.04) for glucoseAUC, with glucoseAUCincreasing significantly in the PL group (p < 0.02) but decreasing significantly in the MOD group (p < 0.03) at 6 months. InsulinAUCincreased significantly over time (main effect, p < 0.02), whereas ISI decreased significantly over time (main effect, p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
As anticipated, a moderate dose of CrPic was associated with improved glycemic control, whereas PL was associated with decreased glycemic control. It was unexpected that the improved glycemic control seen in the MOD dose group was not seen in the HIGH dose group. However, although participants randomized to the HIGH dose group did not have improved glycemic control, they had better glycemic control than participants randomized to the PL group. These findings support the need for larger trials.
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.|b Department of Psychology , Southern Methodist University , Dallas , TX , USA.
Margarita
M
Sala
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.|c Department of Psychology , George Mason University , Fairfax , VA , USA.
Lauren
L
Breithaupt
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.|d Department of Nutrition , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.|e Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
Cynthia M
CM
Bulik
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
Robert M
RM
Hamer
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
Maria C
MC
La Via
a Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.
Kimberly A
KA
Brownley
D000328:Adult; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010848:Picolinic Acids; C030614:picolinic acid
alternative medicine; binge-eating disorder; chromium; glucose