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Chromium supplements are important for many reasons. Chromium is essential for energy production and has an important role in regulating appetite, reducing sugar cravings, and lowering body fat. Chromium helps insulin metabolize fat, turn protein into muscle, and convert sugar into energy. The primary function of chromium is to potentiate the effects of insulin and thereby enhance glucose, amino acid and fat metabolism.
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There is often an issue with chromium bioavailability, especially from
food sources like brewers yeast, broccoli, and cinnamon so it is
important to supplement with a "bound" form of chromium. The two most
popular forms of this trace mineral are chromium picolinate (bound to a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan) and chromium polynicotinate, which is niacin bound chromium. Our BioChroMate
contains patented Chromeate which is the chromium polynicotinate form
of chromium. Although the picolinate form has been used in more
studies, the polynicotinate form appears to be better absorbed and
somewhat safer. A study published in 1997 in Medicine & Science in
Sports & Exercise revealed that niacin bound chromium caused significant weight loss in obese women
when combined with exercise while chromium picolinate actually caused
weight gain. There was a scare about chromium picolinate being damaging
to chromosomes and having mutagenic effects but the studies that showed
this were done in hamster ovary cells. Chromium is a trace mineral and
the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake (ESADDI) is 50-200
mcg.
Due to studies that show a loss of chromium during exercise which may lead to a deficiency, athletes may have a need for chromium supplementation. Some signs of chromium deficiency
include high blood glucose levels, increased cholesterol and
triglycerides, and decreased HDL levels. A somewhat recent study
conducted at Georgetown University Medical Center and published in May
2002 showed that chromium polynicotinate can enhance insulin
sensitivity and reduce age-related disorders including problems with
glucose metabolism. Because chromium competes with iron for absorption,
it may be a good idea to take chromium and iron supplements separately.
Chromium Picolinate Chromium picolinate
is a blend of the trace mineral chromium and picolinic acid. Picolinic
acid is a natural metabolite which is found in breast milk. The reason
it is combined with picolinic acic is that the chromium is then more
easily absorbed and used by the body. Chromium picolinate has exhibited
a convincing safety profile in clinical studies, even when taken with
medication. However, it is important to note, that as with any dietary
supplement, you should consult your physician before adding chromium
picolinate to your medication regimen. Chromium has been studied a lot,
and chromium picolinate has been analyzed in over 35 clinical trials
utilizing over 2,000 participants. The research has demonstrated that
chromium picolinate is safe at levels as high as 500 mg (500,000 mcg)
in animals, which is more than 500 times the typical daily dose for an
average adult; please note however, that these doses are NOT
recommended.
A 1997 study in China involving 180 type II diabetes patients
documented "spectacular" results in patients who took 500 mcg. of
chromium picolinate two times per day. Following four months most of
the patients no longer had the classic signs of diabetes. The patients blood sugar and insulin levels dropped to near normal,
which was not achievable with their medication. A follow-up study by
some of the same researchers monitored 833 type II diabetes patients
who took 500 mcg. of chromium picolinate twice daily and revealed a
considerable reduction in fasting blood sugar levels and in post-meal
blood sugar levels. There were no adverse side effects noted in this
study. Another benefit was that more than 85 percent of the patients
stated that there were improvements in the common diabetic symptoms of
excessive thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.
Our Chromium picolinate is 'Made in America' for quality and your safety.
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