Abstract
Due to the important physiologic function of trivalent chromium in glucose/insulin homeostasis, some commercial organisations promote Cr3+ supplements in maintaining proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; regulation of reducing carbohydrate carvings and appetite; prevention of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance; regulation of body composition, including reducing fat mass and increasing lean body mass; optimal body building for athletes; losing weight; treatment of atypical depression as an antidepressant; and prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. On one hand, case reports are commented as ‘nonevidence-based anecdotes’. On the other hand, a number of independent studies warn against adverse health outcomes assigned to chromium picolinate (CrPic) dietary application. This review analyses opinion controversies, demonstrates highly individual reactions towards CrPic dietary supplements and highlights risks when the dietary supplements are used freely as therapeutic agents, without application of advanced diagnostic tools to predict individual outcomes.
Highlights
Due to the important physiologic function of trivalent chromium in glucose/insulin homeostasis, some commercial organisations promote Cr3+ supplements in maintaining proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; regulation of reducing carbohydrate carvings and appetite; prevention of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance; regulation of body composition, including reducing fat mass and increasing lean body mass; optimal body building for athletes; losing weight; treatment of atypical depression as an antidepressant; and prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Optimistic versus pessimistic prognosis in future developments of the healthcare sector depends much on diagnostic, preventive and treatment approaches which diabetes care will preferably adopt in the near future
Dietary deficiency of chromium leads to disturbances in carbohydrate metabolisms; increases risk of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and predisposes to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus [14,15]
Summary
Together with medications that block the formation of prostaglandins, such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen and aspirin, may increase the absorption of chromium in the body followed by unpredictable consequences such as long-term genotoxic effects caused by formation of covalent bonds to DNA molecules [26]. Some additive medication effects may be expected if CrPic therapy is combined with diabetes treatments, causing blood glucose levels to dip too low. The authors are wishing to stress the point that according to our analysis, the above listed adverse health effects are not expected to happen to everybody. They may occur individually with a severity grade depending on individual predispositions but can be effectively avoided by application of advanced diagnostic tools for the therapy monitoring and to predict individual outcomes. The authors appeal to react effectively towards the case reports demonstrating adverse health outcomes by artificial dietary supplements often regarded as harmless by the public and lay media
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