Chromium deficiency in a group of obese

• Grant number: 18/02235-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: August 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Julio Sergio Marchini
• Grantee: Bruna Tomé dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Trivalent chromium is considered an essential element in animal and human nutrition. Its role in living organisms is related to macronutrient metabolism through the influence exerted on insulin activity. Studies suggest that supplementation of chromium in the form of chromium salts (picolinate, nicotinate and chromium chloride) in patients with metabolic syndromes may be one of the factors responsible for the reduction of insulin resistance, triggering positive effects on food craving sources of carbohydrates in obese patients. In addition, many publications suggest a positive role played by chromium in reducing the fat component of body mass, both in obese humans and in animal models of obesity, with increased energy expenditure being one of the mechanisms responsible for these effects and weight loss maintenance. On the other hand, and considering the high prevalence of obese patients in our field, the hypothesis to be investigated is that obese individuals receiving a usual diet present deficiency of circulating chromium. If, in our field, this hypothesis is ratified, it would be justified to use supplementary measures that inspired this work