Effect of chromium supplementation and nutrition counseling on nutrient adequacy of niddm male subjects

Ninety male diabetic subjects free from the serious complications, aged 35–50 years, were selected from three different hospitals and equally divided into three groups viz. Nutrition Counseling Group (NCG), Chromium Supplementation Group (CSG) and Only Medication Group (OMG). Further, NCG was imparted nutrition counseling by individual and group contacts for a period of three months in vernacular through lectures, demonstrations, visual aids etc, CSG was given chromium picolinate (CrPic) capsules (200μg/day) for a period of three months along with prescribed medication and OMG was on prescribed medication. It was observed that after three months of counseling, the mean daily intake of GLV's, other vegetables and fruits significantly improved in NCG as compared to other two groups, though the intake was still inadequate in all the three groups when compared with suggested values. The mean daily intake of cereals and pulses were higher than the suggested value in all three groups. A significant decrease in the mean daily intake of cereals and pulses was observed in NCG at the end of study. In all the three groups, the intake of energy, carbohydrates and fat decreased significantly at the end of study. However, intake was more than adequate before and after the study in all three groups. The data revealed that the diets of subjects in all three groups before and after the study provided inadequate niacin, iron, zinc and magnesium. The chromium content in food significantly increased after nutrition counseling. However, the diets were inadequate to provide the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary intake (ESADDI) for chromium. Hence, it is suggested that nutrition counseling should be multiprolonged and to be effective and it should be delivered by a dietician.