Diachrome, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, significantly lowers coronary risk factors in type 2s. According to a small study presented at an American Heart Association meeting, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB), held in May in San Francisco.

Twenty-four patients were studied for a month in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical study funded by Nutrition 21, the manufacturer of Diachrome.

All 24 participants had type 2 diabetes for more than one year and had been treated with anti-diabetes medications for at least six months. All had poor blood glucose control with fasting blood glucose over 200 mg/dl and A1Cs over 7%.

Subjects received either Diachrome, a patented nutritional supplement consisting of chromium picolinate and biotin, or a placebo, while continuing to take their prescription medication.

Significant improvements in the Diachrome-treated subjects were seen in total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and average fasting blood glucose levels.

These improvements indicate that Diachrome may have positive effects on coronary risk factors. More studies are needed.