Scientific approach to treating diabetes

There have also been many articles in the newspapers discussing this health issue and advising on lifestyle changes, but the problem persists, resulting in high healthcare costs and untold human suffering.

In the face of this “healthcare crisis”, I wish to advance a scientifically- tested nutritional approach that has the potential to revolutionise treatment of the disease.

Type 2 diabetes makes up the majority of cases of the disease and involves high levels of sugar in the blood resulting from the inefficient use by the body of the insulin it produces. The element chromium available in certain foods is a critical part of the metabolic process that regulates blood sugar levels and low chromium levels in the body contribute directly to high blood sugar and consequent diabetic issues.

It turns out that the absorption of this important nutrient by the body declines with age and therefore some level of chromium deficiency is expected in older people with an increased occurrence of diabetes with age, as is observed in our country.

Improper lifestyle worsens the problem.

A simple solution then appears to be to increase the chromium present in the body through some form of supplementation and this straightforward approach is in fact well supported in the scientific literature.

Using chromium picolinate, one of the best absorbed and metabolised forms of chromium, it has been shown through many published clinical tests that this supplement effectively reduces blood sugar levels.

According to Robert Crayhon’s Nutrition Made Simple, “Chromium enhances the ability of insulin to transport sugar into body cells. It is not surprising, therefore, that chromium deficiency has been linked to diabetes and poor glucose tolerance.

Chromium in adequate amounts may completely prevent adult-onset diabetes.” He suggests that everyone should take 200 to 600 micrograms of chromium each day but that insulin-dependent diabetics should do so under medical supervision.

Thus the published scientific evidence is that chromium picolinate is a well-tested, effective and non-toxic substance for the treatment of this disease. It is probably safer and more effective than most drugs used today.

In addition, chromium picolinate is inexpensive and readily available as an over-the-counter item.

As one researcher commented, “With the relative safety and inexp e n -siveness of chromium picolinate, there seems to be no reason for it not to be used in people who have poor blood sugar control or insulin resistance syndrome. The benefit-to-risk ratio favours benefit” (D Kalman, American J Clinical Nutrition, 2003).

I have brought this important information to the attention of the Ministry of Health and have urged them to conduct their own investigative trials. I am confident of successful outcomes since just as we know that vitamin C prevents scurvy, the evidence suggests that chromium prevents type 2 diabetes.

Prof Stephan Gift Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UW