Chromium supplementation may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of hypoglycemia. - Article 1. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Chromium and other insulin sensitizers may enhance glucagon secretion: implications for hypoglycemia and weight control.
Med Hypotheses. 1996 Feb;46(2):77-80. PMID: 8692048
Increased pancreatic beta-cell secretory activity usually is associated with decreased alpha-cell activity; stimulated beta-cells release gamma-aminobutyric acid, which hyperpolarizes alpha-cells, inhibiting glucagon release. Thus, insulin secretion and glucagon secretion are usually inversely coupled. This suggests that chromium and other insulin-sensitizing modalities, by down-regulating beta-cell activity, may increase glucagon secretion. Such an effect might play a role in the documented therapeutic activity of supplemental chromium and biguanides in reactive hypoglycemia, and might also be of benefit to dieters.