Chromium is a chemical element that plays an important role in many different biochemical processes in your body. Chromium polynicotinate is a form of supplemental chromium that contains niacin, or vitamin B-3, which is used for its potential nutritional benefits and to treat a chromium deficiency. Supplementing with chromium polynicotinate may enhance the absorption of the chromium element, thereby magnifying its effects on your body. As with all nutritional supplements, consult your physician before using any supplement containing chromium polynicotinate.
Glucose Tolerance Factor
One of the main effects of chromium polynicotinate is its ability to regulate the formation of glucose tolerance factor, or GTF. GTF helps regulate your body's use of glucose by balancing blood sugar levels in your blood stream. Maintaining healthy levels of GTF is essential in maintaining normal insulin sensitivity, and may decrease your risk from developing type II diabetes. Chromium polynicotinate's effect on GTF may also help control body weight by promoting the mobilization of free fatty acids, or FFAs, from fat stores to your skeletal muscles for use as energy.
Metabolism
Chromium is necessary for the proper metabolism and storage of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in your body. It promotes protein synthesis, or the formation of new proteins in your body, which is important for tissue growth and repair. Chromium aids in a process called gluconeogenesis, which is the formation of glucose from other sources, particularly protein, which helps with energy production. By regulating the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, chromium may increase the efficiency of your various energy-producing metabolic pathways, providing an ergogenic effect by increasing your energy levels.
Vitamin B-3
When your body metabolizes chromium polynicotinate, both chromium and vitamin B-3, or niacin, are released into your bloodstream. Niacin has numerous potential health benefits, including improving blood and oxygen circulation, lowering cholesterol levels and improving the symptoms of atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin B-3 may also lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, although more research is needed in this area.
Deficiency
Due to the high bio-availability of chromium polynicotinate, this form of chromium can treat a chromium deficiency. A deficiency in chromium may lead to neuropathy, cold sweats, frequent hunger, cold hands and feet, drowsiness and fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and unexplained weight loss. A chromium deficiency may also lead to impaired glucose tolerance, which may be a contributing factor to the development of type II diabetes, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. Chromium polynicotinate supplementation may reduce the risk of developing the symptoms of a chromium deficiency.
References
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
- "Nutritional Supplements in Sports and Exercise"; Mike Greenwood, Douglas Kalman and Jose Antonio; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-3 (Niacin); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- "Linus Pauling Institute"; Chromium; Jane Higdon; 2003
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