Chromium

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. 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 acid 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.