Chromium Picolinate and Vitamin C

The availability of chromium picolinate is so widespread, it is even found in sports drinks and chewing gum. This nutritional supplement is advertised with numerous claims, including improving diabetes and speeding up weight loss. As with all nutritional supplements, these claims are unsupported by the Food and Drug Administration, leaving users to search for their own facts on the product. Chromium picolinate can interact with other vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, causing potentially life-threatening side effects. Caution is recommended before proceeding to supplement with chromium picolinate.

The Basics

Chromium picolinate is a combination of chromium, a trace mineral, and picolinic acid, which is a substance that helps the body absorb chromium and other minerals. The most popular use for chromium picolinate is as a weight loss aid. Chromium picolinate is said to suppress appetite and food cravings.
Vitamin C is "required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body," according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Also, "Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth."

Function

Chromium picolinate is "a nutritional supplement that works to increase the efficiency of insulin to optimal levels," according to Vanderbilt University. Chromium picolinate is said to help users shed fat, burn calories and decrease their appetite. They say chromium works by increasing the efficiency of insulin to help the body metabolize sugars and fats.

Considerations

Vitamin C used in conjunction with chromium picolinate may increase the absorption of chromium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The institute says increasing chromium to the level of toxicity could lead to DNA changes, as well as kidney damage and liver failure. Research at the University of Alabama in 1999 found that taking chromium picolinate in combination with ascorbic acid, found in vitamin C, may lead to cancer caused by these DNA changes.

Warning

As noted, chromium combined with Vitamin C may have a link to increased cancer risk. It is suspected that the pair may accelerate damage done to DNA, leading to cancer. As conclusive tests remain incomplete as of 2010, the long-term effects of chromium picolinate remain unknown. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy journal found that ingesting large amounts of chromium could also lead to kidney damage.

Expert Insight

The Science Daily website reported in March 1999 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a study in which rats were fed a combination of chromium picolinate and vitamin C for 24 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers did not see any difference in the rats given this mixture. This study is limited, as it does not address effects over a longer period of months or years. Generally, until long-term effects of such a significant risk are studied, it is recommended that users of this supplement proceed with caution or consider stopping its use altogether.

References

• Linus Pauling Institute: Chromium
• University of Alabama: Nutritional Supplement Chromium Picolinate Generates Chromosomal Aberrations and Impedes Progeny Development in Drosophila melanogaster
• Annals of Pharmacotherapy (journal): Chromium picolinate toxicity
• Vanderbuilt University: Chromium Picolinate and Weight Loss
• Science Daily: Popular Diet Supplement May Be A Cancer Risk