Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Levels and Normal Insulin Function

ChromeMate® Shown to Improve Fasting Glucose Levels

Chromium participates in glucose metabolism by enhancing the effects of insulin, the pancreatic hormone that provides cells with glucose for energy and maintains normal blood glucose levels.

Chromium also influences protein and fat metabolism. ChromeMate®, a unique oxygen-coordinated niacin-bound form of chromium, has been shown to promote healthy lipid profiles and glucose metabolism in animals and humans.

In the present double-blind clinical investigation, 2 groups of volunteers received either 300 micrograms of ChromeMate® or a placebo daily for 3 months.

The supplement significantly lowered fasting glucose levels, which remained unchanged in the placebo group.

The chromium supplemented group also experienced modest decreases in triglyceride levels and glycosylated hemoglobin, an accurate measure of long-term glucose control.

The results of previous acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies as well as standard skin and eye irritation tests in animals, indicate that ChromeMate® is a safe compound for humans.

These findings support the use of ChromeMate® to safely improve altered glucose and lipid metabolism in those with inadequate chromium.

ChromeMate® Shown to Lower Blood Pressure and Insulin Levels in Animals

ChromeMate® is a niacin-bound form of chromium, an essential trace mineral required for energy production and proper insulin function.

Some evidence points to a connection between insulin resistance (reduced ability of insulin to lower blood sugar), oxidative stress and high blood pressure.

This study evaluated the effects of niacin-bound chromium (NBC) and grape seed extract (GSE) on blood pressure, lipids and indicators of glucose regulation.

In the first investigation, NBC and GSE fed to normotensive rats significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 6 and 3 millimeters of mercury, respectively.

Compared to control animals, plasma insulin levels decreased significantly, though no differences were seen in other glucose-related parameters.

Both NBC and GSE significantly lowered TBARS (a biomarker of free radical damage) in kidney tissue. No significant effects on blood lipids were noted.

In the second study, hypertensive rats were fed NBC, GSE, or NBC and GSE combined.

Systolic pressure was lowered significantly by all three treatments compared to controls, though no difference in insulin values was detected.

The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. To determine whether GSE and NBC affect this system, all treatment groups were given a hypertensive medication (losartan) that lowers blood pressure, in part, by blocking a key messenger within the system.

The systolic blood pressure reductions that were observed after administering the drug suggest that GSE, NBC, or both together, can influence the renin-angiotensin system.

In summary, ChromeMate®, alone or combined with grape seed extract, was shown to act as an antioxidant, lower blood pressure in normal and hypertensive rats, and enhance insulin function in rats with normal blood pressure.

These results suggest that ChromeMate® could serve as a useful dietary supplement to promote healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

ChromeMate® Improves Blood Pressure, Insulin Levels and Oxidative Stress in Animals

High blood pressure and oxidative stress often occur when the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar is compromised—a condition known as insulin resistance.

Investigators compared the effects of niacin-bound chromium (ChromeMate®),Gymnema sylvestre extract and vanadium (BMOV) on blood pressure in laboratory animals bred to develop hypertension.

Animals were fed a high-sugar (sucrose) diet to elevate blood pressure beyond that caused by their genetic makeup. Adding chromium to the sucrose diet lowered insulin values and prevented the expected rise in systolic blood pressure, though not throughout the entire study period.

Since chromium had previously been shown to offset the effects of a more moderate sugar diet for a longer period of time, a higher level of chromium may have been more effective. ChromeMate® also reduced oxidative damage in the kidney and liver as measured by TBARS, and marked weight loss was noted.

Gymnema decreased blood cholesterol levels, but did not lower blood pressure, and even raised it at times. This may be due to the fact that gymnema stimulates the release of insulin rather than making cells more sensitive to its effects.

High concentrations of vanadium (0.12%) overcame the sugar-induced rise in blood pressure and protected against oxidative stress in the liver.

However, vanadium also resulted in loss of body weight and abnormal blood chemistries.

When lower levels (0.01%) were tested, vanadium successfully kept the sugar-induced blood pressure in check and did not affect body weight, at least in the early stages of the study.

In the present study, the level of ChromeMate® tested was more effective in the short term compared to gymnema in lowering sugar-induced high blood pressure.

Though moderate levels of vanadium kept blood pressure down, further study is needed to determine its safe use over time.

Super CitriMax® Improves Glucose Tolerance and Reduces Fat Production in Animals

Hydroxycitric acid has previously been shown to suppress weight regain and food intake in laboratory animals fed a diet high in simple sugar, following the loss of significant body weight.

The present study examines whether the effect of Super CitriMax®, a novel calcium/potassium-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) extract, on weight regain is due solely to the decrease in food intake or whether an increase in energy expenditure is also involved.

Since HCA-SX inhibits the conversion of glucose to fat, the researchers also wanted to determine whether HCA-SX influences glucose tolerance, a test that measures the body’s ability to metabolize glucose.

Animals were calorie-restricted for 10 days, then allowed unrestricted access to a high-glucose diet supplemented with 3% HCA-SX for 6 days.

For the first few days, HCA-SX significantly suppressed food intake, reduced energy expenditure and decreased respiratory quotient, suggesting the HCA-SX decreased the formation of fat from excess carbohydrate.

HCA-SX was also found to reduce the rise in blood glucose after an oral glucose tolerance test.

These results suggest that Super CitriMax® may improve glucose tolerance and reduce the conversion of excess carbohydrate to fat in animals.

Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Promotes Normal Insulin Function

Trace Elements May Reduce Aging Associated with Insulin Resistance

Adequate consumption of certain trace elements may counter the aging process by interfering with the development of insulin resistance, which commonly occurs with aging.

Chromium and selenium compounds have been shown to influence plasma insulin levels and/or insulin effectiveness.

Low dietary intake and blood levels of zinc are associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Vanadium compounds have been shown to have insulin-like effects, along with anti-diabetes and anti-heart disease properties.

Consumption of these elements in supplement form may reduce insulin resistance and thereby improve long-term health.