Chromium Picolinate/Biotin supplementation for Diabetics

Chromium picolinate/biotin supplementation may represent an effective adjunctive nutritional therapy to people with poorly controlled diabetes with the potential for improving lipid metabolism.

Chromium is an essential mineral that appears to have a beneficial role in the regulation of insulin action and its effects on carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The body cannot make chromium; it must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Nutritional chromium is found in minute quantities in foods such as organ meats, oysters, mushrooms, broccoli, and brewer’s yeast. Modern food processing and cooking methods compromise the levels of chromium in foods.

Biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin, plays an essential role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Biotin stimulates insulin secretion and hepatic glucose uptake, and suppresses glucose synthesis in the presence of high plasma glucose, as in the case of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Albarracin CA et al found that taking a chromium picolinate/biotin combination in addition to prescription anti-diabetic medication may help improve blood sugar control in overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes. The 2008 study involved 447 diabetes patients, each of whom was assigned to receive either chromium picolinate with biotin or a placebo for 90 days (along with their diabetes medicine).

The study suggests that the chromium picolinate/biotin combination, administered as an adjuvant to current prescription anti-diabetic medication, can improve blood sugar control in overweight to obese individuals with type 2 diabetes; especially those patients with poor glycaemic control on oral therapy.

Additionally, a 2006 study by Singer GM and Geohas J. found that four weeks of taking chromium picolinate with biotin (in combination with diabetes medicine) helped improve blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. Involving 43 people with poorly controlled diabetes, the study also found that the chromium picolinate/biotin supplements helped reduce cholesterol levels.

Albarracin CA, Fuqua BC, Evans JL, Goldfine ID. Chromium picolinate and biotin combination improves glucose metabolism in treated, uncontrolled overweight to obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2008 Jan-Feb;24(1):41-51.

Singer GM, Geohas J. The effect of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation on glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Dec;8(6):636-43. Click HERE for Full Text

Kordel’s Dichrotin is scientifically-formulated with Chromium Picolinate 200mcg and Biotin 600mcg, in a vegetable capsule.

More information

The Persatuan Diaberes Malaysia offers TIPS on Coping with Diabetes.