Nutrition 21, Inc. has just announced that its product - Diachrome® - a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin - can significantly improve glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels who were being treated with oral anti-diabetic medication (OADs).

The company's claim is backed by the newly published results of a 447 subject, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study:

• patients in the treatment group showed significant improvements in glycemic control (A1C) compared with placebo: an absolute decrease of 0.54%).
• in patients with the poorest glycemic control: absolute A1C decrease of 1.76% despite the fact that they were taking one or more OAD medications.

As per ADA's recommendation: the goal for type 2 diabetes patients is an A1C (a. k. a. glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c) level below 7.0%.

[The A1C test or HbA1c test is the very same under focus in this previous entry.]

According to Cesar Albarracin, MD, lead investigator and a leader in the field of nutritional management of type 2 diabetes:

"Uncontrolled, obese and overweight type 2 diabetes patients present an ongoing clinical challenge to health professionals.

Prescribing another anti-diabetic medication can increase the risk of unwanted side effects, including weight gain or hypoglycemic events, and could place an added financial burden on the patient.

This study shows that adding Diachrome® to anti-diabetic medications can help patients reach their blood sugar goal simply, effectively and safely."

Are you a type 2 diabetic? Remember that Diachrome® is a non-prescription supplement. You can buy it OTC in CVS and Walgreens stores and even over the internet. However, I suggest that you still discuss intake of the supplement with your own doctor.

Read the full report.

[In photo: Diachrome® available at Amazon]