Your body requires very small amounts of chromium, an essential mineral that occurs naturally in many foods, in order to use glucose to produce energy. Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement that may promote healthy glucose metabolism and enhance weight loss. As a supplement, chromium picolinate is generally safe when taken in the doses that your doctor recommends. At high doses, however, chromium picolinate may produce potentially harmful side effects. Consult your doctor before taking chromium picolinate to supplement your nutritional requirements.
Requirements
Chromium facilitates your cells' absorption of glucose -- a form of sugar that your body uses for fuel -- by supporting the effects of the hormone insulin. Chromium also promotes efficient protein and fat metabolism. Men between the ages of 19 and 50 need at least 35 micrograms of chromium per day to support efficient glucose metabolism, and women in this age group need at least 25 micrograms daily, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. You can meet your daily requirements for chromium by eating foods like green beans, meats, potatoes, whole grain products, orange juice and grape juice. Brewer's yeast is also a rich source of chromium.
Supplemental Dose
Chromium picolinate has been marketed as a way to stabilize blood sugar, lose weight, increase lean tissue mass, control blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Clinical evidence, however, has not confirmed that chromium supplementation can produce these effects in human subjects. In clinical trials, chromium picolinate has been given in doses ranging from 60 to 1,000 micrograms daily, according to Drugs.com. A safe, standard dosage for chromium supplements, however, has not been established, and the long-term effects of using chromium picolinate are unknown. Consult your doctor before taking chromium picolinate to supplement your daily requirements.
Side Effects
Because clinical evidence has not verified the effects of high doses of dietary or supplemental chromium on human subjects, a tolerable upper intake level for this mineral has not been established. At high doses, chromium picolinate may have the potential to be genotoxic, causing harmful changes to your cells' genetic materials, Drugs.com notes. Chromium supplements may have led to kidney or liver damage in isolated cases, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. High doses may interfere with the activity of insulin, disrupt normal blood sugar levels, cause gastrointestinal upset, heart rhythm irregularities or skin irritation.
Medication Interactions
Although the potential interactions of chromium picolinate with diabetes medications are unknown, chromium supplements may increase the effects of insulin or oral diabetes medications, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Taking over-the-counter antacids at the same time you take chromium picolinate may reduce the effects of chromium. If you are taking medications to control your blood sugar levels or reduce stomach acid, talk with your doctor before taking chromium picolinate.
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