Chromium picolinate

Chromium is a trace mineral that is necessary to process carbohydrates and fats, as well as to help cells respond properly to insulin—an especially important function for people with diabetes. Chromium, in its safest form, can be found in whole grains, seafood, green beans, peanut butter, and potatoes. As a dietary supplement, chromium is available in several forms, including chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, and high-chromium yeast. 

The weight-loss effects of chromium have not been proven. Chromium may be unsafe in high doses, especially when combined with picolinate. Specifically, chromium picolinate may cause headaches and mood disturbances. High doses may lead to blood and disorders of the liver and kidney, and may increase the risk of cancer. 

Vincent, J.B. (2003) The potential value and potential toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight-loss agent and muscle development agent, Sports Med., 33, 213-230. Vincent, J.B. (2004) Recent advances in the nutritional biochemistry of trivalent chromium, Proc. Nutr. Soc., 63, 41-47. 

Interference with T4 absorption Cholestyramine, chromium picolinate, colestipol, ciprofloxacin, proton pump inhibitors, sucralfate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, raloxifene, sevelamer hydrochloride, aluminum hydroxide, ferrous sulfate, calcium carbonate, bran, soy, coffee. 

Most forms of Cr(III) are not absorbed and utilized by the body. For this reason, and because of the increased use of sucrose and other refined foods, a marginal human chromium deficiency may be widespread.604 605 This may result not only in poor utilization of glucose but also in other effects on lipid and protein metabolism.597 However, questions have been raised about the use of chromium picolinate as a dietary supplement. High concentrations have been reported to cause chromosome damage606 and there may be danger of excessive accumulation of chromium in the body.607... 

Ding et al. [88] used anion-exchange chromatog-raphy-ICP-MS to determine different forms of chromium in chromium picolinate products which are used as dietary supplements and appear to assist in weight loss. A Dionex AS7 anion-exchange column was used to separate Cr(III)-EDTA chelate and Cr(VI) in the supplements. Only 1% total chromium recoveries were obtained and this was attributed to retention of the chromium species on-column. The use of RP-HPLC proved to be more effective and complete chromium recoveries were obtained, based on the amounts stated on the manufacturer s product labels. 

The bioavailability of chromium(III) was determined in 8 healthy adults who were administered 400 pg chromium(III)/day as chromium picolinate for 3 consecutive days by Gargas et al. (1994). The mean absorption of chromium was 2.8% 1.4 % (standard deviation). 

Using these models for estimating bioavailability, distribution, and excretion, Steams et al. (1995a) predicted that chromium(III) may accumulate in the body of humans ingesting large doses of chromium picolinate dietary supplements. 

Several studies have also looked at the relationship between weight loss or increases in lean body mass in sedentary adults and chromium picolinate supplementation. Kaats et al. (1992) reported an improvement... 

In humans and animals, chromium(III) is an essential nutrient that plays a role in glucose, fat, and protein metabolism by potentiating action of insulin. Chromium picolinate, a trivalent form of chromium complexed with picolinic acid, is used as a dietary supplement, because it is claimed to speed metabolism... 

Anderson RA, Bryden NA, Polansky MM. 1997b. Lack of toxicity of chromium chloride and chromium picolinate in rats. J Am Coll Nutr 16(3) 273-279. 

Bulbulian R. Pringle DD, Liddy MS. 1996. Chromium picolinate supplementation in male and female swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28 511. 

Campbell WW, Beard JL, Joseph LJ, et al. 1997. Chromium picolinate supplementation and resistive training by older men Efects on iron-status and hematologic indexes. Am J Clin Nutr 66 944-949. 

Campbell WW, Joseph LJ, Davey SL, et al. 1999. Effects of resistance training and chromium picolinate on body composition and skeletal muscle in older men. J Appl Physiol 86(l) 29-39. 

Clancy SP, Clarkson PM, DeCheke ME, et al. 1994. Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition, strength, and urinary chromium loss in football players. Int J Sports Med 4 142-153. 

Evans GW. 1989. The effect of chromium picolinate on insulin controlled parameters in humans. Int J... 

Fox GN, Sabovic Z. 1998. Chromium picolinate supplementation for diabetes mellitus. JFamPract 46(l) 83-86. 

Gargas ML, Norton RL, Paustenbach DJ, et al. 1994. Urinary excretion of chromium by humans following ingestion of chromium picolinate Implications for biomonitoring. Drug Metab Dispos 22(4) 5 22-5 29. 

Hasten DL, Rome EP, Franks BD, et al. 1992. Effects of chromium picolinate on beginning weight training students. Int J Sport Nutr 2 343-350. 

Kaats GR, Blum K, Fisher JA, et al. 1996. Effects of chromium picolinate supplemation on body composition a randomized double-masked placebo-controlled study. Curr Ther Res 57 747-756. 

Lindemann MD, Wood CM, Harper AF, et al. 1995. Dietary chromium picolinate additions improve gain feed and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs and increase litter size in reproducing sows. J Anim Sci 73 457-465. 

McCarty MF. 1993. Homologous physiological effects of phenformin and chromium picolinate. Med Hypotheses 41 316-324. 

McCarty MF. 1994. Fongevity effect of chromium picolinate - rejuvenation of hypothalamic function Med Hypotheses 43 253-265. 

Moore JW, Maher MA, Banz WJ, et al. 1997. Chromium picolinate modulates rat vascular smooth muscle cell intracellular calcium metabolism. J Nutr 128 180-184. 

Myers MJ, Farrell DE, Evock-Clover CM, et al. 1997. Effect of growth hormone or chromium picolinate on swine metabolism and inflammatory cytokine production after endotoxin challenge exposure. Am J Vet Res 58(6) 594-598. 

Trent LK and Thieding-Cancel D. 1995. Effects of chromium picolinate on body composition. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 35 273-280. 

Wasser WG, Feldman NS, DAgati VD. 1997. Chronic renal failure after ingestion of over-the-counter chromium picolinate. Ann Intern Med 126(5) 410. 

A 38-year-old man with bipolar II disorder took chromium polynicotinate 400 micrograms/day. Shortly after the first dose his mood started to improve, but he had unusually vivid intense dreams. The dose of chromium was increased to 600 micrograms/day. He then developed intermittent brief dizzy spells due to orthostatic hypotension. After switching to chromium picolinate his dizzy spells did not recur. 

Certain salts of radioactive chromium (1) are used as radiopharmaceutical tracers in various hematological procedures. Chromium compounds are also used in oral and parenteral nutrition and in artificial hip and knee joints. Chromium picolinate has been promoted as a nutritional supplement and has received a great deal of interest because of its possible beneficial effects on muscle strength and body composition. 

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