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 supplements have 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, or 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 patient's 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.