Diaplex and Glycemic Control

This 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial will evaluate whether daily supplementation with Standard Process Diaplex (three capsules per meal (nine capsules total), corresponding to a chromium dose of 250 mcg/day), improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic patterns in otherwise healthy adults with elevated blood glucose levels. The study combines robust fasting laboratory endpoints such as glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, lipids, and ALT/AST, with a single high-quality continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) window during the final 10 -14 days, when chromium's cumulative metabolic effects are expected to be most detectable. Participants are carefully monitored throughout, with standardized tracking of diet, activity, and sleep to reduce variability, and the placebo-controlled design strengthens internal validity for detecting chromium's modest but clinically meaningful effects. This streamlined approach balances scientific precision with participant feasibility, producing high-value pilot data to guide a future definitive randomized controlled trial.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults 30-65 years old with elevated average blood glucose levels (100-125 mg/dL), confirmed at screening (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%)

• BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m² (normal to overweight)

• Generally healthy individuals with no metabolic or endocrine disorders besides elevated blood glucose levels, meaning no metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance diagnosis, dyslipidemia diagnosis requiring treatment, thyroid disorders, etc.

• Stable weight for the past 3 months (±5%)

• Sedentary or lightly active baseline lifestyle (Light activity ≤3 times/week (e.g., walking, yoga, casual biking)

• Willingness to maintain usual diet, activity, and sleep patterns for 16 weeks

• Able and willing to wear a CGM for the final 10-14 days

• Willing to complete 3-day dietary recalls, sleep and activity logs

• Not taking or willing to stop taking supplements containing chromium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, iodine, and niacin

• Able and willing to provide informed consent and complete all study visits 6 Exclusion Criteria

• Any diagnosed metabolic/endocrine disorder, other than elevated blood glucose levels, such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance diagnosis, clinically significant dyslipidemia, thyroid dysfunction or use of thyroid medication, or obesity-related endocrine dysfunction

• Medications and supplements use of glucose-lowering medications within the past 3 months, including use of weight-loss drugs or metabolic agents, such asGLP-1 RAs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda) or GIP/GLP-1 RAas (Mounjaro, Zepbound)

• Use of supplements within the last 30 days containing chromium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, niacin, iodine

• Unwilling to discontinue prohibited supplements

• Health Conditions & safety such as elevated ALT/AST more than 2× the upper limit or known chronic liver disease or diagnosed renal impairment (eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m²), uncontrolled hypertension (>160/100 mmHg)

• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy

• Allergy or sensitivity to study ingredients or CGM adhesives

• Lifestyle and compliance (>30 minutes/day of intense physical activity (active adults or athletes))

• Participation in another investigational trial in the past 30 days

• Any condition that may interfere with participation or data quality (per investigator guidance)