Chromium is a mineral that helps to increase the efficiency of insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose (blood sugar) levels; picolinate is an amino acid derivative that allows the body to use chromium much more readily. Research shows that most people with diabetes experience a decline in blood glucose levels after they start taking daily chromium picolinate supplements. As a result, it is believed the chromium picolinate may be able to help many people with diabetes (especially type II diabetes) to control their blood sugar levels. This in turn would allow them to cut back on their intake of insulin and other drugs, likely resulting in fewer side effects. Furthermore, since improving the action of insulin also helps the body to use fat as a fuel, chromium picolinate can help reduce obesity. It may enable some people with type II diabetes to lose enough weight to stop taking drugs entirely.

Anyone interested in using chromium picolinate for the treatment of diabetes should first seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.