Chromium Helps You Think
People who are insulin resistant are at higher risk for nerve changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Since chromium supplementation improves glucose handling in diabetics, researchers at the University of Cincinnati investigated the effects of chromium supplementation on congnition in 26 older adults who received either chromium picolinate (CiPic) or placebos for three months. Memory and depression were measured before treatment and during the final week of the study. Results showed that chromium supplementation improved learning, recall, and recognition memory tasks. In addition, there was improved activation for the CrPic subjects in several brain centres, including the right thalamic, right temporal, right posterior parietal, as bifrontal regions. The researchers conclude that, “these findings suggest that supplementation with CrPic can enhance congnitive inhibitory control and cerebral function in older adults at risk for neuro-degeneration.”
Supplementation of diabetic mice with chromium-rich yeast lowered blood cholesterol levels and normalized insulin levels, possibly by protecting pancreatic cells from inflammation and fibrosis, according to a study from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science in Beijing.
Krikorian R, Eliassen J, Boespflug E, et al: Improved congnitive-cerebral function in older adults with chromium supplementation. Nutritional Neuroscience 2010;13:116-122
Liu L, Jim W. Lv J: Oral administration of the high-chromium yeast improved blood plasma variables and pancreatic islet tissue in diabetic mice. Biological Trace Element Research 2010; March 2nd.
