Chromium Picolinate

Description

Chromium Picolinate
– Supports the regulation of blood sugar levels
– Reduces blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
– Enables weight loss as well as an increase in muscle mass
– Improves memory…

Chromium is an important trace element for human health. It is found in brewer’s yeast, calf’s liver, whole grain cereals, egg yolks, and some green vegetables. In the late 1950s, some researchers found that rats fed brewer’s yeast did not show glucose intolerance as they aged. It has also been shown that chromium facilitates the transport of insulin across cell membranes. The chromium thus increases the sensitivity of the tissue to the insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates and controls the amount of sugar in the blood. It also plays an important role in the metabolism of fats and proteins and promotes the work of various important enzymes. In 1982, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) discovered and patented a biologically active form of chromium, picolinate.

Glycaemic control
Chromium picolinate can control blood glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes. In type II diabetes, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the muscle cells and tissues have become resistant to it. As one of the components of glucose tolerance factor (GTF), chromium promotes efficient absorption of sugar. Recently, a meta-analysis of the results of 41 studies found that the components of chromium appear to improve glycaemic control in type II diabetes patients. It improves tissue insulin sensitivity, which allows glucose, essential “fuel” of the body, to be used more effectively. A new study suggests that chromium picolinate triggers a key enzyme that improves glucose metabolism (AMP-dependent protein kinase).

Weight loss
Chromium picolinate is a very popular dietary supplement among people who want to lose weight as well as athletes who want to build muscle mass. A study conducted by doctors Kaats and Blum with 154 slightly overweight people (20-25% above normal weight) showed the effect of chromium picolinate. The people who took a pinch (200-400 mcg) of it every day for 72 days and did not change their habits otherwise had lost an average of 2kg of fat, while the people who received only placebos had lost only 300gr of fat.

Cognitive functions
Daily intake of 1000 mcg of chromium in the form of chromium picolinate improves cognitive function in older people who have premature problems with memory. These are the results of a randomised double-blind trial with placebos presented to a medical audience during a neurological conference.

Depression
A disturbance in insulin function is reflected in an increase in depression. Chromium picolinate exerts an antidepressant effect in those suffering from atypical depression.

No health risk
Chromium picolinate did not provide any significant evidence of toxicological components during the 13 weeks it was tested at the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Therefore, it is safe to assume that the use of chromium in the form of chromium picolinate does not pose a risk as long as the daily amount does not exceed 250 mcg. This value was set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).