Supplemental-chromium effects on glucose, insulin, glucagon, and urinary chromium losses in subjects consuming controlled low-chromium diets

Article Abstract:

Chromium is a dietary mineral that is necessary for normal blood sugar and fat metabolism. A deficiency of chromium in the diet can cause weight loss, reduced energy, nerve damage, and brain disorders. It is estimated that greater than 90 percent of all normal diets are deficient in chromium. Also, hospital patients who require total parenteral nutrition (nutrients provided by intravenous feeding) for long periods of time may be at risk for chromium deficiency. The US National Academy of Sciences recommends a dietary intake of 50 micrograms of chromium per day, but the average daily chromium intake is currently 33 micrograms for men and 25 micrograms for women. In order to determine if a diet containing suboptimal amounts of chromium impairs blood glucose metabolism, eight healthy adults and nine adults with impaired glucose metabolism (hyperglycemia - abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood, as measured 90 minutes after drinking a beverage containing glucose) were studied. For the first four weeks of the study, the subjects followed a diet low in chromium. Beginning at week five of the study, a 200-microgram supplement of chromium was added to the daily diet. Adding 200 micrograms of chromium per day improved blood sugar control and blood levels of insulin and glucagon (hormones that control blood sugar levels) in the subjects with hyperglycemia. It is concluded that diets low in chromium can impair the ability to control blood sugar in subjects with hyperglycemia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Blood sugar, Blood glucose, Hyperglycemia, Glucagon

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Day-long glucose, insulin, and fructose responses of hyperinsulinemic and nonhyperinsulinemic men adapted to diets containing either fructose or high-amylose cornstarch

Article Abstract:

Fructose, or fruit sugar, reportedly raises blood glucose and insulin less than other carbohydrates in both diabetic and nondiabetic persons. Insulin levels in the general population are of interest because elevated insulin concentrations may increase the risk of heart disease. Twenty-one men were classified as being either hyperinsulinemic (HI, having high blood insulin) or nonhyperinsulinemic (NHI, having normal blood insulin) based on circulating insulin one hour after consuming a set dose of sucrose (table sugar). Both the NHI and HI groups followed a diet high in fructose for five weeks and a diet high in another carbohydrate, high-amylose cornstarch, for five weeks. Besides providing 20 percent of calories as either fructose or starch, the food plans reflected a typical American diet. Blood glucose and insulin were tested before and after meals. In both groups, while on the fructose diet blood glucose and insulin were lower one hour after meals as compared with the starch diet. Fructose appeared to have a beneficial influence on blood glucose and insulin in NHI men, but an undesirable trend toward decreased insulin sensitivity was observed in the HI subjects. While fructose appeared beneficial for glucose metabolism overall, fructose reportedly has adverse effects on certain risk factors for heart disease; these risk factors should be weighed for the individual patient before increased fructose intake is recommended.

Usage, Glucose tolerance tests, Glucose tolerance test

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Lipid metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes: effects of long-term treatment with fructose-supplemented mixed meals

Article Abstract:

Fructose, or fruit sugar, has been advocated as a sugar substitute for use by non-insulin-dependent diabetics. The evidence concerning its safety as a sweetener is contradictory, however. Animal and human studies have shown that blood triglycerides (TG) may increase after fructose ingestion; an elevated TG level is a risk factor for heart disease. But other studies have not demonstrated this adverse effect, or have found that fructose only raises TG in persons with sensitivity to carbohydrates or preexisting hypertriglyceridemia (high blood triglycerides). Five adults with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were admitted to the hospital to follow the research protocol of a high-fructose diet for three months; except for their diabetes the subjects were healthy. Blood lipid levels were measured, and showed no adverse effects from the increased fructose intake. Moderate intakes of fructose do not appear to have deleterious effects on lipid metabolism when used by persons with NIDDM in place of sucrose over an extended period. It should be noted that these subjects did not have severe preexisting hypertriglyceridemia, and persons who do may react differently to the high-fructose diet.

Sweeteners, Sugar substitutes, Blood cholesterol, Hyperlipidemia

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