Dr. Murray posted this on the FAIML.  I have his permission to forward it
to this list.
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
 
>More on Chromium
>Date:  Sun, 23 Jul 2000 02:47:48 EDT
>From:  [log in to unmask]
 
>It sounds like there is still some confusion about chromium, how it
>works, and what "helps to regulate blood glucose levels " actually means.
>Chromium is an essential trace element.  Chromium supplementation is often
>recommended for people and pets (dogs and cats) with diabetes.  Diabetics
>are basically the opposite of insulinoma ferrets because diabetics have a
>high blood glucose (sugar) level.  Chromium helps to lower their high
>blood glucose levels.  This is where the phrase "helps to regulate blood
>glucose levels" comes from.  Chromium also has insulin like action that
>helps to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat and weight.  This is
>also a good thing for diabetics, and the reason chromium is often used as
>a weight loss agent.  On the other hand, the goal of medical therapy for
>an insulinoma ferret is to raise the blood glucose level.  Clearly it
>does not make sense to give chromium that will lower an already low blood
>glucose level, nor does it make sense to give chromium that has insulin
>like properties when there is already too much insulin being produced by
>the insulinoma.  Remember medical therapy is a combination of 3 things:
>DIET, PEDIAPRED, and PROGLYCEM.
>
>The DIET needs to be a high quality, high meat-based ferret food or kitten
>food.  Cooked meats (beef, chicken, turkey, fish), cooked eggs, Gerber's
>chicken baby food, Hill's A/D and/or Eukanuba's feline maximum calorie can
>all be used as supplements, treats, and when the ferret is anorectic.
>A/D, baby food, and maximum calorie can be syringed fed when needed.
>The extra protein provides both amino acids and a substrate for glucose
>production by the liver (gluconeogenesis).  Perhaps the ideal diet would
>have (on a dry matter basis) 55- 60% protein, 20-30% fat, and <10% carbo-
>hydrates.  This is close to what "Bob's chicken gravy" has.  However I
>totally disagree with adding brewer's yeast or chromium to it!
>
>PEDIAPRED helps to raise blood glucose levels, inhibits utilization of
>glucose,  and has some antiinsulin activity. This is why pediapred is
>the first medicine used to treat insulinoma ferrets.
>
>PROGLYCEM helps to raise blood glucose levels by lowering the amount of
>insulin secreted by the pancreas. Due to its high cost and bad taste, it
>is usually added when pediapred is no longer able to control the blood
>glucose levels.
>
>Remember chromium does not raise blood glucose levels.  It lowers the
>blood glucose levels, so I would not give it to an insulinoma ferret.
>
>Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3127]