New Study Shows ChromeMate® More Effective than Chromium Picolinate in Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Washington, D.C., June 13, 2006 -- ChromeMate®, an oxygen-coordinated niacin-bound form of supplemental chromium, has been shown to be more effective than chromium picolinate in reducing oxidative stress and the secretion (release) of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1), important biomarkers that lead to vascular inflammation and reduced insulin sensitivity.

ChromeMate is a unique, patented form of biologically active niacin-bound chromium called chromium nicotinate or polynicotinate that dramatically increases the effectiveness of chromium, an essential element that helps insulin metabolize fat, turn protein into muscle and convert sugar into energy. ChromeMate, produced by InterHealth Nutraceuticals, Inc. (Benicia, CA), had previously been shown to increase the capacity of insulin to increase glucose uptake in human monocytes (a type of white blood cells). Earlier studies have also shown that ChromeMate may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with insulin resistance or diabetes. This new study is just the latest in a series of in vitro, animal and human studies demonstrating the superior safety and efficacy of ChromeMate over chromium picolinate.

Exposing cells to high levels of glucose generates oxidative stress and resulting inflammation, which can cause protein, lipid and DNA damage, as well as cellular dysfunction. In this new NIH-funded study conducted in human monocyte cell cultures, researchers at Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine in Shreveport have shown that ChromeMate reduced lipid peroxidation, a measurement of oxidative stress, by 40 to 60 percent, while chromium picolinate actually increased lipid peroxidation by approximately 40 percent. “Under these experimental conditions, ChromeMate was significantly more effective than chromium picolinate in reducing lipid peroxidation,” said Sushil K. Jain, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, Physiology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and principal investigator of the study.

The researchers also found that ChromeMate significantly inhibits the release of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Elevated blood levels of these biomarkers are established risk factors for CVD. In this study, monocytes were pre-treated with either ChromeMate or chromium picolinate, then treated with high glucose to stimulate the release of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Compared to controls, ChromeMate reduced IL-6 secretion by 65 percent, while chromium picolinate inhibited IL-6 release by only 21 percent. ChromeMate also was significantly more effective than chromium picolinate in reducing IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion. In fact, chromium picolinate had no effect on MCP-1 secretion. “These results demonstrate that certain forms of chromium may improve insulin sensitivity and lower CVD risk by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which cause cell damage,” Dr. Jain concluded.

The study was first presented, in part, at the annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology this past April in San Francisco, and again this past Saturday, June 10th, at the American Diabetes Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Preliminary Studies Show ChromeMate More Effective Than Chromium Picolinate in Live Animal Models

Preliminary data in live animal models presented by Dr. Jain at the American Diabetes Association meeting show that ChromeMate is more effective than chromium picolinate in reducing CVD risk factors in diabetic rats. The superior effectiveness was seen on a number of parameters, including glucose, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation and total cholesterol.

# # #

About InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc.

Note: Statements made in this release have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research data is available upon request.