Diachrome information
Diachrome is a patented combination of
chromium picolinate and
biotin.
Research reports the Benefits of Diachrome for Improving
Blood Sugar in People with Type 2 Diabetes
2007 - Nutrition 21, Inc.
Nutrition 21, Inc. (NXXI announced the results of a recent placebo controlled,
double-blind, randomized, single center study that demonstrated that Diachrome,
a patented supplement combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, improves blood glucose
levels and cholesterol metabolism in people with type 2
diabetes. Published in
the December, 2006 issue of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, the study
supports the role of chromium picolinate -- the most studied form of chromium --
plus biotin as a nutritional adjunct therapy in diabetes care along with a
healthy diet. The 30-day study
examined thirty-six overweight or obese poorly controlled patients with type 2
diabetes taking Diachrome who were already receiving oral anti-diabetic drug(s).
The results also showed a significantly greater reduction in the total area
under the curve for glucose (AUCg) during the oral
glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
for the treatment group (mean change -9.7%) compared with the placebo group
(mean change +5.1%). Mean fructosamine levels, a measure of the average blood
glucose level during a period of three weeks, were also significantly reduced in
the treatment group (-1.3 mmol/L) compared to the placebo group (0.7 mmol/L).
"Results from this pilot study promote the potential benefits of supplementing
chromium picolinate and biotin with one's daily diabetes care regimen," said
Gregory Singer, MD, lead author and cardiovascular medicine specialist at Yale
University School of Medicine. "Chromium picolinate with biotin represents an
adjunctive strategy to conventional oral diabetes therapy for improved blood
sugar control and cholesterol metabolism." A larger 400 patient, 90-day
randomized placebo controlled study to determine the effects of chromium
picolinate / biotin on hemoglobin A1c and other risk factors in type 2 diabetes
is expected to be published next year. "Previous studies have demonstrated that
chromium picolinate can significantly impact A1c and other critical markers in
people with type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Singer. "Additional research currently
underway may provide us with further understanding of the supplement's role in
the management of type 2 diabetes."
Another study released at the 19th World Diabetes Congress meeting
in Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrated that supplementing with chromium
picolinate, an active ingredient in Diachrome, led to significant improvements
in blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes over a six- year period. In
addition to existing treatments, 1056 patients with diabetes ages 20 to 90 years
old were observed among nine sites before and during supplementation with 500
mcg daily of chromium as chromium picolinate for one to six years. A significant
decrease in fasting glucose levels of 4.67 mmol/L and postprandial glucose
levels of 5.77 mmol/L was seen in patients taking chromium picolinate. The study
showed that blood glucose levels continued to improve each year throughout the
six years of the study. "This study -- one of the largest and longest clinical
trials measuring chromium picolinate's effects on blood glucose levels --
underscores the nutrition supplement's beneficial role in helping manage type 2
diabetes," said lead investigator Nancy Cheng, MD, PhD, Senior Director of
Tang-An Diabetic Clinic and Education Center in Beijing. Chromax chromium
picolinate, found in Diachrome was used in these studies.
About Diachrome
Diachrome is a non-prescription nutrient-based therapy formulated to help
support blood glucose management in people with diabetes. It is composed of two
nutrients: chromium (as Chromax chromium picolinate) and biotin (a B-vitamin). A
growing body of scientific evidence indicates that Diachrome ingredient
combination has positive effects on
insulin function, blood glucose, lipid
metabolism and cardiovascular health. Diachrome can be found in retail stores
nationwide.
About Nutrition 21
Nutrition 21 is a nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium-based
and omega-3 fish oil-based supplements with health benefits substantiated by
clinical research. The company markets Chromax chromium picolinate
which is the most-studied form of the essential mineral chromium. Chromax, a
supplement for healthy and pre- diabetic people that promotes insulin health and
helps improve blood sugar metabolism, cardiovascular disease, control
carbohydrate cravings and fight weight gain, is now available through food, drug
and mass retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21 also developed and markets Diachrome,
a proprietary, non-prescription, insulin sensitizer for people with type 2
diabetes. It is available in select drug retailers nationwide. Nutrition 21
holds 33 patents for nutrition products and uses, 23 of which are for chromium
compounds and their uses. The Company is the exclusive importer of Icelandic
fish oils, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are manufactured to
pharmaceutical standards and sold under the Iceland Health brand.