Combined dietary chromium picolinate supplementation and an exercise program leads to a reduction of serum cholesterol and insulin in college-aged subjects

The effects of a 13 week daily chromium picolinate supplementation (1000 mu g/day) or placebo in a double blind design were examined using 20 college-aged students of both genders who were participating in a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program. Strength, upper leg/upper ann circumferences, lean body mass, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels were examined in these subjects before and after chromium picolinate supplementation with exercise. Exercise alone or coupled with chromium picolinate supplementation did not produce significant changes in strength, lean body mass, HDL, triglyceride, ferritin, or glucose levels. However, chromium picolinate supplementation with exercise did decrease total cholesterol (P < 0.001), LDL (P < 0.002), and insulin (P < 0.02) levels. (J. Nutr. Biochem. 9:471-175, 1998). (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1998.