Chromium picolinate is a supplemental form of the mineral chromium, which your body uses for purposes that include processing of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in your diet. Consumption of large amounts of chromium picolinate may increase your risks for a number of serious side effects, including impaired liver function and kidney failure. However, the supplement does not typically cause stomach bloating.
Chromium Basics
Doctors do not know exactly how chromium acts in your body, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. They also have not established a comprehensive recommendation for daily consumption of the mineral. Common foods that naturally contain some amount of chromium include potatoes, broccoli, garlic, turkey, beef, bananas, whole grains, green beans, grapes and red wine. In addition to chromium picolinate, you can purchase supplemental chromium in forms that include chromium nicotinate, chromium citrate, chromium chloride and high-chromium yeast.
Bloating Causes
Stomach or abdominal bloating is a condition characterized by a feeling of tightness or fullness in your abdomen or belly, according to MedlinePlus, a website created by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. In some cases, bloating is extreme enough to cause visible abdominal swelling. Common potential causes of stomach or abdominal bloating include overeating, constipation, unintended swallowing of air, weight gain, gastroesophageal reflux and consumption of foods such as beans, lentils, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and turnips. You can also develop the condition if you eat fatty foods, smoke, experience stress or anxiety, drink carbonated drinks or have gastrointestinal conditions such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease.
Chromium Picolinate
Chromium supplements typically contain between 50 to 200 mcg of the mineral, according to Oregon State's Linus Pauling Institute. Potential uses for supplemental chromium include promotion of weight loss and treatment of Type 2 diabetes and an associated condition called impaired glucose tolerance. Chromium picolinate is commonly used for these purposes because your body appears to absorb it more easily than some other supplement formulations.
Picolinate Risks
The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board has not set upper limits for the safe consumption of dietary or supplemental chromium, and many individuals have used as much as 1,000 mcg of supplements per day without developing significant problems. However, in some cases, prolonged use of 600 mcg or more of chromium picolinate per day may increase your risks for the development of kidney failure, the Linus Pauling Institute notes. Prolonged use of 1,200 to 2,400 mcg of chromium picolinate per day may increase your risks for both kidney failure and liver damage.
Considerations
Doctors do not know how chromium supplements interact with most medications, the Linus Pauling Institute reports. If you suspect chromium picolinate as a cause of an ailment, consult your doctor. If you develop stomach or abdominal bloating, contact your doctor if you simultaneously experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, heartburn that worsens over time, vomiting or bloody or dark stools.
