Congressional Diabetes Caucus Reviews Latest Research On Chromium, Its Role In Diabetes Management, And Potential Public Health Benefits

PURCHASE, NY, May 31, 2005 – Nutrition 21, Inc. (NASDAQ:  NXXI) presented the latest basic and clinical research on chromium and its essential role in maintaining healthy insulin function to members of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus on May 20, 2005.  The presentation was designed to further educate government health officials and policy makers about the potential public health benefits associated with improved chromium nutrition in people with and at risk for type 2 diabetes.  The co-chairs of the Caucus, Congresswoman Dianna DeGette from Colorado and Congressman Mike Castle from Delaware, extended the invitation to Nutrition 21, Inc., the leading supplier of chromium-based nutrition products, including Chromax chromium picolinate and Diachrome, to present their findings of their extensive clinical research program.
     “We are grateful to Congressman Castle and Congresswoman DeGette for appreciating the importance of innovative nutritional approaches for the management of diabetes and for the opportunity to inform policy makers about our chromium research program,” stated Gail Montgomery, president and CEO, Nutrition 21.  “Clinical research has shown that products like Diachrome, a proprietary combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, can significantly improve the care of people with diabetes and reduce the public health burden of managing this disease.”
     There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes.  Direct medical and indirect expenditures attributable to diabetes in 2002 were estimated at $132 billion.  A new report recently issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) reveals that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their blood sugar levels controlled and risk early death from stroke, heart attack or kidney failure, as well as blindness and limb loss.

The Congressional Diabetes Caucus was formed in 1995 to increase the awareness of diabetes in Congress and to promote more research into diabetes and diabetes-related complications.  The Caucus consists of members of Congress who work on securing passage of legislation on a variety of diabetes related issues, ranging from Medicare coverage for diabetes education, blood glucose meters and strips, to discrimination issues.

About Nutrition 21
Nutrition 21 is a nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium-based supplements with health benefits substantiated by clinical research.  The company markets Chromax chromium picolinate, which is the most-studied form of the essential mineral chromium.  Nutrition 21 also developed Diachrome, which is available through diabetes educators or at www.diachrome.com.  Nutrition 21 holds 36 patents for nutrition products and uses, 27 of which are for chromium compounds and their uses.  More information is available at www.nutrition21.com