Inorganic vs Organic Efficacy

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This is a rare study helping the claim for superior efficacy of

natural over inorganic supplementation.

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The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast supplementation

on glucose tolerance, serum lipids and drug dosage in individuals

with type 2 diabetes.

Bahijiri SM, Mira SA, Mufti AM, Ajabnoor MA.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King Abdulaziz University,

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Med J. 2000 Sep;21(9):831-7.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of supplementation with organic and

inorganic chromium on glucose tolerance, serum lipids, and drug

dosage in type 2 diabetes patients, in the hope of finding a better

and more economical method of control. METHODS: Seventy eight type 2

diabetes patients were divided randomly into two groups and given

Brewer's yeast (23.3ug Cr/day), and CrCl3 (200ug Cr/day) sequentially

with placebo in between, in a double blind cross-over design of four

stages, each lasting 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of each stage,

subjects were weighed, their dietary data and drug dosage recorded,

and blood and urine samples were collected for analysis of glucose

(fasting and 2 hour post 75g glucose load) fructosamine,

triglycerides, total and HDL-cholesterol, and serum and urinary

chromium. RESULTS: Both supplements caused a significant decrease in

the means of glucose (fasting and 2 hour post glucose load),

fructosamine and triglycerides. The means of HDL-cholesterol, and

serum and urinary chromium were all increased. The mean drug dosage

decreased slightly (and significantly in case of Glibenclamide) after

both supplements and some patients no longer required insulin. No

change was noted in dietary intakes or Body Mass Index. A higher

percentage of subjects responded positively to Brewer's yeast

chromium, which was retained more by the body, with effects on

fructosamine, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol maintained in some

subjects when placebo followed it, and mean urinary chromium

remaining significantly higher than zero time mean. CONCLUSION:

Chromium supplementation gives better control of glucose and lipid

variables while decreasing drug dosage in type 2 diabetes patients. A

larger scale study is needed to help decide on the convenient

chemical form, and dosage required to achieve optimal response.