hi Donna,

Chromium supposedly improves the ability of insulin to move sugar out of the blood and into the cell where it's used for energy. Combined with a careful low carb diet, it could be helpful for Type 2 diabetes. I'd be cautious though, if your sister is taking any kind of medication for her diabetes .. since the combined effects could lead to hypoglycemia (too LOW blood sugar). Actually, even without chromium, a low carb diet alone should bring about a lowering of blood sugar and insulin levels to the point where medications may need to be reduced or even discontinued ... definitely needs a dr's supervision.

As for fat loss, there are a handful of studies that "suggest" chromium might have a benefit. I suspect this has to do with its ability to improve insulin sensitivity, therefore less insulin gets dumped into the bloodstream. Insulin stimulates fat-storage, and inhibits fat-burning ... if there's less insulin circulating, then fat-burning would be improved.

You can read some good, research-based info. about chromium at Healthwell.com

Doreen