Sold as a nutritional supplement, chromium picolinate is touted as a safe and effective weight loss aid. Although the supplement does not directly impact the health of the body's joints, in can improve their condition through its weight loss abilities. As with any type of herbal supplement or medication, you should consult your physician before taking chromium picolinate. However, with your doctor's approval, chromium picolinate may help relieve joint pain and other conditions.
Identification
Quite simply, chromium picolinate is a combination of chromium and picolinic acid. Chromium is a mineral found naturally in a variety of foods, such as meat, fish, potatoes, broccoli and whole grain bread. Although chromium is occasionally combined with other ingredients, combining it with picolinic acid helps the body absorb a greater amount of chromium. Other than improving the absorption of the chromium, the picolinic acid has no other significant effects.
Function
Inside the body, chromium picolinate enhances the effects of insulin. The pancreas releases insulin when blood glucose levels increase. Insulin then delivers these glucose molecules to cells in the body, providing them with energy. After taking chromium picolinate, the action of insulin is enhanced and more glucose is removed from the blood and delivered to cells. As a result, sugars are broken down more quickly and efficiently, leaving less available for fat production.
Uses
According to the Merck website, chromium picolinate supplements claim to have a wide variety of beneficial effects on the body. Among these, the supplement is most commonly used as a diet aid for its claim to promote weight loss, reduce body fat and increase muscle growth. The supplements are also used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Although chromium is thought to enhance the effects of insulin, chromium picolinate supplements have not been promoted to help patients with diabetes.
Joint Pain
As of December 2010, manufacturers and researchers of chromium picolinate have not advertised the supplement as a remedy for joint pain. However, relief from joint pain could potentially be a positive side effect of chromium picolinate use. If your joint pain is caused by excess body weight, losing weight with the help of chromium picolinate might help relieve joint pain. In fact, the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center claims that "being only 10 pounds overweight increases the force on the knee by 30-60 pounds with each step." However, joint pain caused by other factors will likely not be helped by chromium picolinate.
Considerations
Since chromium picolinate is sold as an herbal supplement, the supplements do not need approval by the Federal Drug Administration, or FDA. In fact, there are very few regulations dictating the manufacturing and selling of herbal supplements. Before taking the supplements, consult your doctor. According to the Drugs.com website, chromium picolinate may have negative interactions with certain medications, including aspirin, steroids, antacids and diabetes medications, among others.
