Nutrition 21 highlights chromium’s role in diabetes management and public health benefits

01/06/05 Nutrition 21, Inc presented the latest basic and clinical research on chromium and its essential role in maintaining healthy insulin function to members of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus on May 20, 2005. The presentation was designed to further educate government health officials and policy makers about the potential public health benefits associated with improved chromium nutrition in people with and at risk for type 2 diabetes. The co-chairs of the Caucus, Congresswoman Dianna DeGette from Colorado and Congressman Mike Castle from Delaware, extended the invitation to Nutrition 21, Inc., the leading supplier of chromium-based nutrition products, including Chromax chromium picolinate and Diachrome, to present their findings of their extensive clinical research program.

There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. Direct medical and indirect expenditures attributable to diabetes in 2002 were estimated at $132 billion. A new report recently issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) reveals that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their blood sugar levels controlled and risk early death from stroke, heart attack or kidney failure, as well as blindness and limb loss.

The Congressional Diabetes Caucus was formed in 1995 to increase the awareness of diabetes in Congress and to promote more research into diabetes and diabetes-related complications. The Caucus consists of members of Congress who work on securing passage of legislation on a variety of diabetes related issues, ranging from Medicare coverage for diabetes education, blood glucose meters and strips, to discrimination issues.