Chromium is classified as an essential nutrient that is used in glucose metabolism. The two most common forms of chromium are trivalent-III and hexavalent-IV. Chromium III is the most common form that exists in food and that is used by your body. Chromium IV is derived from III by heating the chromium in the presence of a strong base, usually for industrial purposes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Health concerns have centered around picolinate salt of chromium and picolinic acid, despite this being the most common form of the supplement on the market.
Rhabdomyolysis
Low dose chromium picolinate is shown to be safe. However, rhabdomyolysis has been reported with usage of chromium picolinate and other chromate salts, as stated by Drugs.com. Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition characterized by muscle breakdown and kidney issues.
Mood Changes
Picolinic acid, the additive that chromium is chelated to, may be linked to behavioral changes in persons who are susceptible to psychological disorders. Picolinic acid can also alter serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine metabolism in the central nervous system, according to Mitchell Stargrove and colleagues, in "Herbal, Nutrient and Drug Interactions." The antidepressant effect of insulin, when coupled with chromium, might be enhanced in some people. This enhanced affect of insulin will lessen the reuptake of norepinephrine and increases the transport of L-tryptophan to the brain, according to Mitchell Stargrove and colleagues.
Mutagenesis
Picolinic acid may be linked to DNA damage, also known as mutagenesis; chromium in oral supplements, however, isn't linked to mutagenesis at high levels. According to Maurice Shils and colleagues, in "Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease," chromium picolinate and picolinic acid tested positive for mutagenesis. The increased mutagenic activity caused by chromium picolinate could be due to the increased oxidative stress produced with this form of chromium.
Increased Muscle Mass
Chromium picolinate increases muscle mass. Chromium is theorized to increase your body's capacity to put on more muscle because of its relationship to insulin. Insulin influences cellular uptake of amino acids inside the muscles. By supplying muscles with amino acids to build and repair from exercise, chromium may serve to enhance recovery, making it easier for the body to bulk up.
Insulin Effects
Chromium improves insulin action at the receptor level. When insulin binds to insulin receptor cells, chromium moves inside the cell. There, it forms a complex that enhances the effect of insulin receptor channels, which allows glucose to move inside the cell more effectively, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Once glucose levels decrease in the blood, chromium is released so the same reaction can occur when glucose levels rise after a meal.
References
- "Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease"; Maurice Shils and Moshe Shike; 2006
- Drugs.com: Chromium
- "Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions"; Mitchell Stargrove, Jonathan Treasure, Dwight McKee; 2008
- Micronutrient Information Center: Chromium
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