research
information
Chromium and
Vanadium
Provides support for healthy glucose metabolism
What trace minerals can help us balance wayward blood
sugar levels? Studies on chromium GTF and vanadium
have proved so promising that Natural Factors has combined these nutrient into one convenient nutritional
supplement. So what does the research show and how can
we benefit if our blood sugar levels tend to rise and fall
capriciously?
Chromium is a component of a molecule called Glucose
Tolerance Factor that regulates blood sugar levels, making it
beneficial for both high and low blood sugar problems. The
hormone insulin will not work without chromium. As a
“master hormone” insulin regulates much more than blood
sugar levels – it also controls fat, protein and energy
metabolism, so any insulin imbalance can have far-reaching negative health effects.
Many studies show that low levels of chromium are directly
linked to blood sugar imbalances whereas adequate levels
of chromium may improve insulin sensitivity and balance
blood sugar levels. This was first discovered when patients
who could not take food in by mouth were fed directly by a
feeding solution into the veins, called Total Parenteral Nutrition or TPN. These feeding solutions contained everything needed for optimal nutrition, except chromium.
After several months, TPN patients developed high blood
sugars as if they were diabetic. Even when doctors started
insulin therapy with these patients the insulin didn’t work
that well. The missing link was chromium. Less than 50
micrograms of chromium was added to their IV’s and
improvement came quickly. Now chromium is considered
an essential trace element and is recommended at dosages
of 50-200 mcg per day.
When we get enough chromium our sensitivity to insulin
is improved, blood sugar levels may become normalized
whereas insufficient chromium may be responsible for
hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, glycosuria and insulin resistance. Chromium does not stimulate the body to make
more insulin, rather it makes insulin that is already present
work more effectively. Out of 16 well-designed studies on
the effect of chromium supplementation on diabetics,
13 studies showed blood glucose improvement with chromium supplementation.
“Chromium in the form of the GTF is released into the
blood... whenever there is a marked increase in the blood
levels of sugar (glucose) and/or of insulin. Hence, the GTF
might be considered to behave like a hormone. It, along
with insulin, acts in making it easier for amino acids, fatty
acids, and sugars to pass from the blood into the cells of
various tissues. It also promotes the metabolism of the
nutrients within the cells. Much more insulin is required
when GTF is lacking.” (Ensmigner)
What is vanadium and how does it work?
People are becoming more familiar with vanadium, an
ultra-trace mineral that is found in our body and in a
variety of foods. Vanadium seems to help improve blood
sugar levels and insulin resistance, a persistent health
problem that affects many people. Often as people age,
their cell receptors sites are not as responsive to their own
production of insulin, causing a dangerous rise in blood
sugar. This “insulin resistance” is contrasted with Type I
diabetes which is caused by the inability to produce
enough insulin. Vanadium and its effect on blood glucose
levels has been studied off and on for about 100 years.
With the advent of insulin the interest in vanadium faded
but was reignited in 1985 when a group of researchers
studied the effect of vanadium on diabetic rats. Supplemental vanadium brought their blood glucose to normal.
Although there are few studies on vanadium, the results so
far are very promising.
Studies show that vanadium may improve glucose tolerance in persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (NIDDM). In animal studies, supplemental
vanadium also helped to normalize blood sugar levels. The
studies used vanadyl sulfate (VS), a form of vanadium.
Eight patients with Type II diabetes or NIDDM were given
50 mg vanadyl sulfate twice daily for four weeks in this
single-blind, placebo-controlled study. After a four-week
placebo phase, the results were tallied. “VS administration
was associated with a 20% decrease in fasting glucose
concentration and a decrease in hepatic glucose output
(HGO) during hyperinsulinemia. The improvement in
fasting plasma glucose and HGO that occurred during
vanadyl sulfate treatment was maintained during the
placebo phase... We conclude that vanadyl sulfate at the
dose used was well-tolerated and resulted in modest
reductions of fasting plasma glucose and hepatic insulin
resistance.” (Boden)
Chromium and vanadium – Are they safe?
Here is what the Food & Nutrition Encyclopedia states about
chromium safety, “there is a wide range of safety between
the helpful and the harmful doses of chromium (the toxic
This information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that should be assessed and treated by your
health care practitioner. While the information contained in this document has been carefully reviewed and reflects current clinical and scientific knowledge, it is subject to change.
© All rights reserved – Natural Factors Nutritional Products Ltd. • Enquiries: [email protected] • 27833 • July 6, 2009 • Pg 1 of 2
Where Great Health Begins
research information
Chromium and Vanadium
dose is about 10,000 times the lowest
effective medicinal dose). (Ensminger)
However, the editors caution that
diabetics who take insulin injections
and decide to add supplemental chromium GTF to their diet should be
aware that their blood sugar levels may
drop too low because of chromium
GTF’s insulin-enhancing effect. At
Natural Factors we strongly advise
anyone with diabetes to monitor their
blood sugar levels closely under the
care of their health care practitioner.
Vanadium is safe and well-tolerated
when label directions are followed.
The human studies on vanadium used
high doses (as much a 100 milligrams
per day) and no toxicity was observed.
Natural Factors contains 25 micrograms of elemental vanadium per capsule, well below the high doses used in
the studies. Although vanadium is
rapidly absorbed, what is not used is
quickly excreted.
When taken according to label
directions, vanadium citrate and
chromium HVP chelate are very safe.
However, additional chromium and
vanadium in the diet may affect
insulin requirements, so it is recommended that persons who have blood
sugar imbalances such as diabetes
should always use these minerals
under the supervision of a health care
practitioner if on diabetes or blood
sugar medications.
Persons taking medications such as
lithium for manic depression should
consult their health care practitioner
before supplementing with vanadium.
Key References
Boden G., et al., “Effects of vanadyl sulfate on carbohydrate
and lipid metabolism in patients with non-insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus,” Metabolism, 45 (9): 1130-5; Sept 1996
Ensminger, Ensminger, et al., (eds) “Foods & Nutrition
Encylopedia,” 2nd ed, vol 1 p 418; 1993
This information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that should be assessed and treated by your
health care practitioner. While the information contained in this document has been carefully reviewed and reflects current clinical and scientific knowledge, it is subject to change.
© All rights reserved – Natural Factors Nutritional Products Ltd. • Enquiries: [email protected] • 27833 • July 6, 2009 • Pg 2 of 2
Where Great Health Begins