Chromium supplement protects the heart of diabetics

Prolonged QT interval is a heart rythm disturbance that can cause fatal heart arrhythmias. A prolonged QT interval is tied to decreased insulin sensitivity, elevated blood sugar, and elevated levels of insulin in type 2 diabetics. In this study 30 diabetics took 1,000 mcg of chromium a day for 3 months, followed by an inactive placebo for 3 months. Another 30 diabetics took the placebo for the first 3 months and then were switched over to the chromium for the 2nd 3 month period. At the start of the study the QT interval was similar in both groups, 422 milliseconds in the first and 425 in the second. The QT interval shortened to 406 milliseconds in the chromium group and was significantly shorter than the placebo group. In the second 3 month period the QT interval shortened in the other group that was switched to chromium versus placebo. At the end of the trial the QT interval remained shorter than at the beginning of the trial in both groups. Blood insulin levels also dropped significantly in both groups. Chromium supplementation at 1,000 mcg per day lowers heart risk according to this study. The study is published in the April 2005 American Heart Journal.

Another study links garden pesticides to Parkinson's disease

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland have concluded that common back yard pesticides can increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and the more pesticide the gardener is exposed to the more likely they are to develop this degenerative brain disease. In questioning 767 Parkinson's patients vs. 1,989 healthy individuals it was found that back yard ameteur gardeners had a 9% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease and farmers were 43% more likely. Being knocked unconscious increased the risk. Having a family history of Parkinson's disease increased the risk by 350%. The study is published in this weeks issue of New Scientist.