Evidence for carcinogenic chromium(VI) compounds in chromium(III)-treated living cells

Chromium supplements are widely consumed for their antidiabetic activity as chromium(III) enhances the insulin sensitivity of cells. In particular, orthomolecular practitioners believe in the beneficial effects of providing the body with extra amounts of essential trace elements. As Australian and American scientists now report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, chromium(III) dietary supplements are oxidized to a certain extent in living cells to their carcinogenic and genotoxic chromium(V) and c