Chromium picolinate is a biologically active chromium salt that is used as a dietary supplement. Human beings require chromium in trace quantities. This mineral is available in minute quantities in whole grains, brewer's yeast, calf liver, cheese and meats. As a nutritional supplement, chromium picolinate is an easily absorbed form of chromium that also increases insulin efficiency to advantageous levels. This supplement is popular in America, even as it has been touted as a miracle mineral with a number of benefits, such as weight loss, mood and energy enhancement, longevity and acne prevention.
Properties
Chromium picolinate is a combination of the mineral chromium and picolinic acid. Though chromium occurs naturally in popular food items such as poultry, fish and whole grains, processing of foods destroys much of the natural chromium in U.S. diets. Vanderbilt University reports, "Combining chromium with picolinic acid simply aids in efficient chromium absorption, and it is this combined form that is popular on the diet market today." Chromium is also believed to assist the body in processing fats and carbohydrates. As weight loss support for people on diets or an aid in muscle building activities for athletes, it has gained popularity, especially in its version as chromium picolinate, which helps to digest food quickly.
Function
The human body secretes the hormone insulin, which helps transport glucose to various cells in the body so that cells have energy to function. According to Vanderbilt University, "It is speculated that chromium picolinate works by stimulating the activity of insulin, thus significantly aiding the body's glucose and fat metabolism, managing the breakdown of glucose and fat." Scientists are unable to show how chromium picolinate helps to regulate insulin production, but it is surmised that chromium increases insulin's receptor sensitivity. Because there is no concrete answer to the functions of chromium picolinate, many theories were proposed. It is important to note that promotional activities tout the ability of chromium picolinate to shrink fat stores in the body, while protecting the lean muscle mass.
Chromium Picolinate and Weight Loss
Researchers have been discounting the claims about the ability of chromium picolinate to help the weight loss process. A study was done on obese women in 1997 who were given 200 mcg of chromium picolinate with or without exercises, which was either resistance or cardiovascular exercise training. After a program of nine weeks, the combination of exercise and chromium picolinate did not result in any weight loss, and above all, when exercise was absent, the women put on weight, suggesting a counterproductive effect as a weight loss tool.
Adverse Effects
Because millions of Americans religiously take chromium picolinate as a weight loss supplement, the adverse effects of this habit should be examined. Several individual case studies have been reported on changes in behavior after taking chromium picolinate, including mental imbalance, disturbance in motor abilities, and in some rare cases, an irregular heartbeat. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had to intervene and regulate some safety measures as far as this supplement is concerned. Apart from these, your blood sugar levels can dangerously decline if chromium supplements are combined with diabetic medicines, so you need to consult a doctor before using it.
Chromium Picolinate--Is It Safe?
The scientific community has discounted the claims that chromium picolinate is a miracle supplement that can get rid of fat, boost metabolism and build muscle mass. Besides, it failed to significantly add to weight loss when it was combined with exercises. Some studies suggest that chromium supplements may cause kidney injury if taken in excess.
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