Abstract:
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of chromium nicotinate supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients compared with that of the placebo control. Fifty-seven outpatients at Taksin Hospital, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were recruited and randomly divided into two groups, namely the experimental group (N = 28) and the control group (N = 29). Each subject in the experimental group was supplemented with 2 capsules of each 100 micrograms chromium nicotinate twice daily for 8 weeks while each of the control group was given with placebo. The 24-hour recall questionnaires were performed in both groups to assess the amount of nutrients and total energy obtained from food. After supplementation with chromium nicotinate, mean fasting plasma glucose of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Mean hemoglobin A[subscript 1c], total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL-cholesterol showed no significant difference when compared with the control group (p > 0.05). Plasma glucose and lipid profiles showed no significant difference from the baselines (p > 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase enzyme, alanine aminotransferase enzyme and complete blood count values of both groups were in normal ranges. Total energy consumption and the amount of carbohydrate, protein and fat of the subjects within both groups were no different from baselines during 12 weeks of the study (p > 0.05). In conclusion, chromium nicotinate supplementation of 400 micrograms per day for 8 weeks in type-2 diabetic patients neither effect on glucose and lipid profiles nor abnormalities of renal, liver functions and hematology