Chromium picolinate reduces hunger and weight in overweight women

Researchers from Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida recruited 42 overweight women. They gave them either Chromium Picolinate at a dosage of 1000 mcg daily or inactive placebo for 8-weeks. Those women on Chromium voluntarily consumed 25% fewer calories because they felt satiated. When their hunger improved they dropped 1.1 pounds where those on placebo gained 1.1 pounds; a 2.2 pound difference in weight between the two groups.
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that occurs naturally in small amounts in some foods, including brewer's yeast, cheese, pork kidney and whole grain breads and cereals. It is poorly absorbed from food by the human body but is known to play an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Several reports have indicated that chromium picolinate is better absorbed by humans than other forms of the mineral. 
The study is published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

Soy Isoflavones may reduce dangerous inflammation in the circulatory system

In a randomized, double-blinded trial, 102 patients previously diagnosed with ischemic stroke were given an 80 milligram soy isoflavone supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks. Among subjects who received isoflavones, flow-mediated dilatation was significantly greater than the placebo group after 12 weeks. C-reactive protein levels decreased significantly in the isoflavone group. C-reactive protein (CRP) is tied into vascular inflammation and since inflammation is believed to play a major role in the development of coronary artery disease, markers of inflammation have been tested in respect to heart health. CRP was found to be the only marker of inflammation that independently predicts the risk of a heart attack. (New England Journal of Medicine, 2000;342). The article is published online ahead of print in the September 23, 2008 issue of the European Heart Journal.