What Is the Relationship between Chromium and Blood Sugar?

The connection between chromium and blood sugar is that there is some evidence suggesting that maintaining sufficient levels of chromium in the body can decrease the blood sugar level in patients with diabetes. Some researchers think that chromium helps the body respond to insulin, a hormone that helps to lower the body’s blood sugar levels. Although there is some evidence that chromium could be used to treat diabetic patients, the results of the research have not been convincing enough to establish chromium supplementation as part of a diabetes treatment regimen.

Investigations looking into the relationship between chromium and blood sugar have found that the trace mineral chromium has a number of different effects in the body. In fact, chromium was once referred to as the “glucose tolerance factor” before its chemical characteristics were fully understood by the scientific community. It is thought that chromium plays a role in helping insulin bind to receptors and cause changes in how the body responds to high levels of blood sugar. Since insulin works to help cells take up glucose from the blood stream, chromium potentiates this effect and can lead to lower blood sugar levels.

A number of research studies have looked into the relationship between chromium and blood sugar to see if it should be part of the treatment for diabetes, a condition in which the body either produces low levels of insulin or has a poor response to the insulin produced by the pancreas. There is no evidence that patients without diabetes have lower blood sugar levels when taking chromium. Some evidence does suggest, however, that chromium might lower the levels in patients with a known diagnosis of diabetes.

Although there are some studies suggesting that chromium and blood sugar are related and that chromium might be a useful adjunct therapy in patients with diabetes, the evidence has not been conclusive enough to establish chromium as a medication prescribed by doctors as part of a diabetes treatment regimen. Some studies have shown that taking chromium supplements improves blood glucose control, whereas others do not show any benefit. Further research is needed before chromium supplementation becomes an established part of a comprehensive diabetes treatment plan.

Patients with diabetes could try to increase their intake of chromium by eating foods rich in this mineral. A variety of foods such as yeast, grains, fruits, and red meat have high levels of chromium. An alternative way to increase chromium intake is to take a supplement that contains this mineral. Many multivitamins available over the counter contain this mineral.