Chromium picolinate and biotin combination improves glucose metabolism in treated, uncontrolled overweight to obese patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background

Chromium and biotin play essential roles in regulating carbohydrate metabolism. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of chromium picolinate and biotin on glycaemic control.

Methods

Four hundred and forty-seven subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA_1c ≥ 7.0%) were enrolled and received either chromium picolinate (600 µg Cr⁺³) with biotin (2 mg), or matching placebo, for 90 days in combination with stable oral anti-diabetic agents (OADs). Major endpoints were reductions in HbA_1c, fasting glucose, and lipids. Safety and tolerability were assessed.

Results

Change in HbA_1c was significantly different between treatment groups (p = 0.03). HbA_1c in the chromium picolinate/biotin group decreased 0.54%. The decrease in HbA_1c was most pronounced in chromium picolinate/biotin subjects whose baseline HbA_1c ≥ 10%, and highly significant when compared with placebo (−1.76% vs − 0.68%; p = 0.005). Fasting glucose levels were reduced in the entire chromium picolinate/biotin group versus placebo (−9.8 mg/dL vs 0.7 mg/dL; p = 0.02). Reductions in fasting glucose were also most marked in those subjects whose baseline HbA_1c ≥ 10.0%, and significant when compared to placebo (−35.8 mg/dL vs. 16.2 mg/dL; p = 0.01). Treatment was well tolerated with no adverse effects dissimilar from placebo.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the chromium picolinate/biotin combination, administered as an adjuvant to current prescription anti-diabetic medication, can improve glycaemic control in overweight to obese individuals with type 2 diabetes; especially those patients with poor glycaemic control on oral therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.