Clin Physiol Biochem. 1986;4(1):31-41. (full text attached)

Anderson RA.

Chromium is an essential element required for normal carbohydrate and lipid
metabolism. Insufficient dietary Cr has been linked to maturity-onset diabetes
and cardiovascular diseases. The dietary Cr intake of most individuals is
considerably less than the suggested safe and adequate intake. Consumption of
refined foods, including simple sugars, exacerbates the problem of insufficient
dietary Cr since these foods are not only low in dietary Cr but also enhance
additional Cr losses. Chromium losses are also increased due to pregnancy,
strenuous exercise, infection, physical trauma and other forms of stress.
Supplementation of Cr to normal free-living individuals often leads to
significant improvements in glucose tolerance, serum lipids including
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin and insulin binding. Chromium also
tends to normalize blood sugar. Chromium supplementation of subjects with
elevated blood sugar following a glucose load leads to a decrease in blood sugar
while hypoglycemics respond to supplemental Cr by an increase in hypoglycemic
glucose values, increased insulin binding and alleviation of hypoglycemic
symptoms. In summary, dietary intake of Cr is suboptimal and this is exacerbated
by increased Cr losses due to stress and certain refined foods including simple
sugars that enhance Cr losses. Supplemental Cr is associated with improvements of
risk factors associated with maturity-onset diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.