GTF Chromium Complex

GTF or Glucose Tolerance Factor chromium was first isolated in brewer's yeast. This trivalent form was found to consist of chromium, vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) and three amino acids. Other forms of chromium containing vitamin B3 (chromium polynicotinate), amino acids, yeast or other organic chelates such picolinic acid maximise bioavailability. Trivalent chromium has been shown to potentiate insulin and thereby influence carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Chromium is noted for its beneficial effects in weight control, type 2 diabetes, and reducing elevated blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides).

Chromium

BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL - Chromium has been found to be effective in cases of both hyper and hypoglycaemia. Chromium works closely with insulin in facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. Without chromium, insulin's action is blocked and blood sugar levels are elevated. Chromium deficiency is common in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (type 2 diabetes).
CHOLESTEROL REGULATION - Supplementing the diet of NIDDM patients with chromium has been shown to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels, and decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, whilst increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Chromium has been found to lower blood lipids in non-diabetic patients (this effect is most notable in those with sub-optimal chromium status).
WEIGHT CONTROL - Research has shown that overweight individuals engaged in a modest diet-exercise regimen supplementing with 600mcg chromium daily for two months resulted in significant loss of fat and sparing of muscle compared to placebo. Chromium is an effective weight management aid because of its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, thereby reducing sugar cravings.
ANTI-AGEING - Chromium may also help promote increased levels of dehydroandrosterone (DHEA), an important anti-aging hormone now receiving considerable attention. High insulin levels suppress DHEA's production in the body, while supplementation with chromium has been shown to boost DHEA production. DHEA is shown to diminish with age. Research indicates DHEA may improve brain function, immunity and muscle fatigue and have anticancer effects. Foundation of Advanced Science and Experimental Biology Journal [FASEB], 1992, vol. 6.
ACNE - Several dermatologists have reported that insulin is effective in the treatment of acne, which suggests impaired glucose and/or insulin insensitivity of the skin. Chromium supplementation has produced rapid improvements in patients with acne.

Zinc

ANTIOXIDANT - Zinc deficiency has been shown to be associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes and other associated risk factors including hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and other factors suggestive of mild insulin resistance. Recent research suggests the potential beneficial antioxidant effects of the individual and combined supplementation of Zn and Cr in people with type 2 diabetes. These results are particularly important in light of the deleterious consequences of oxidative stress in people with diabetes.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM - Alpha lipoic acid is involved in the metabolic process of converting carbohydrates into energy. When sugar is metabolized in the production of energy, it is converted into pyruvic acid. The pyruvate is broken down by an enzyme complex that contains lipoic acid, niacin and thiamine.
ANTIOXIDANT - The positive effects of ALA are due to lipoic acid's effect as an antioxidant and its ability to improve blood sugar metabolism, reducing glycosylation of proteins, improving blood flow to nerves, and stimulating the regeneration of nerve fibres.

Dosage

Current supplemental guidelines suggest up to 600mcg chromium per day. This dose would appear appropriate in cases of elevated blood lipids. Many experts in the field of nutritional medicine currently suggest 400-600mcg chromium for glycaemic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance. Trivalent chromium, the form of Cr found in foods and nutrient supplements, is considered one of the least toxic nutrients. There have not been any reported toxic effects in any of the human studies involving supplemental Cr.

Potential applications

Weight control, Insulin resistance (Metabolic Syndrome), type 2 diabetes, hypoglycaemia, diabetes due to long term steroid use, peripheral neuropathy, atherosclerosis, elevated blood lipids, acne, weight loss.

Known contraindications

Chromium supplementation may enhance the effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin, blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium only under the supervision of a doctor.

Interactions

Refined sugars, white flour products, and lack of exercise can deplete chromium levels. Calcium carbonate and antacids may reduce chromium absorption.

One study has demonstrated increased dream activity, greater vividness and colour in dreams, and diminished sleep requirements in those taking 50µg Cr daily, taken in the evening.

Use in conjunction with

Weight control - carnitine, CoQ10, milk thistle, fibre complex, multi-phytonutrient complex, EFAs.
Limit saturated fats. Increase plant foods. Maintain 1.5 litres water daily. Avoid processed refined foods. Daily aerobic exercise. Resistance training 2-3 times weekly.

Note

The highly processed foods common in the Western diet, such as white sugar and white flour, are almost completely devoid of chromium, this may partly explain the widespread problem of glucose intolerance and glycaemic disorders.

REFERENCES

Michael Murray. 1996. The Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements. P. 44-53
Bowman and Russell. 2001. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. Eighth Edition.
Murray & Pizzorno. Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine. 1998. Revised 2nd edition.
Crawford V, Scheckenbach R, Preuss HG. Effects of niacin-bound chromium supplementation on body composition in overweight African-American women. Diabetes Obes Metab. 1999 Nov;1(6):331-7.
Singh RB, Niaz MA, Rastogi SS, Bajaj S, Gaoli Z, Shoumin Z. Current zinc intake and risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease and factors associated with insulin resistance in rural and urban populations of North India. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998 Dec;17(6):542-3.
Anderson RA, Roussel AM, Zouari N, Mahjoub S, Matheau JM, Kerkeni A. Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Jun;20(3):212-8.

Like this page? Please link to us and let the world know!

^ back to top