Chromium - its benefits and side effects.

CHROMIUM PICOLINATE SIDE EFFECTS AND TOXICITY

Insulin resistance is an epidemic condition that
dramatically increases risk for type 2 diabetes,
coronary heart disease and stroke, estimated to
affect 33% Americans. [2,3] Insulin resistance is
present in two serious health problems in women;
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and gestational
diabetes. [3]

CHROMIUM PICOLINATE BENEFITS

Chromium is an essential mineral that is needed for
insulin activity in carbohydrate, fat and protein
metabolism. A recent study has demonstrated that
chromium picolinate may increase the amount of
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) - a key
enzyme involved in metabolism - in skeletal muscle
cells, thus improving energy balance and insulin
function.[2]Studies show that people with type 2
diabetes have lower blood levels of chromium than
those without the disease. [3] Consequently,
researchers supplied chromium supplementation to
patients suffered from types 1 and 2 diabetes. They
found improvement in serum glucose. The beneficial
effects of chromium on serum glucose and lipids and
insulin resistance occur even in the healthy subjects.
[5]

Recently, FDA issued a favorable response to a
qualified health claim petition filed by Nutrition 21,
recognizing chromium picolinate as a safe nutritional
supplement that may reduce the risk of insulin
resistance and possibly type 2 diabetes. [1]

DOSE AND SAFETY

Supplements containing 200-1,000 mcg chromium as
chromium picolinate a day have been found to
improve blood glucose control. Chromium picolinate
is the most efficacious form of chromium
supplementation. Numerous animal studies and
human clinical trials have demonstrated that
chromium picolinate supplements are safe. [3]

However, one should be aware that individual patients
with type-2 diabetes mellitus may have an increased
risk of hypoglycaemic episodes when taking
chromium supplements as self-medication. [4] In
addition, chromium supplementation does result in
tissue retention in the kidney, although no pathogenic
effect has been demonstrated despite considerable
study. [5]

Analogues of picolinic acid may induce profound
alterations in the metabolism of serotonin, dopamine,
and norepnephrine in brain. Thus, patients with
behavioral disorders should consult with doctors
before taking any chromium picolinate supplements.
[6]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL
RIGHT RESERVED

REFERENCES
[1] FDA Approves First Qualified Health Claim for Chromium
Picolinate and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Purchase, N.Y. (PRWEB)
September 2, 2005.
[2] New Study Suggests Chromium Picolinate Triggers Key Enzyme
to Improve Glucose Metabolism, Pennington Biomedical Research
Center News Release, September 14, 2005 [3] A scientific review:
the role of chromium in insulin resistance. Diabetes Educ.
2004;Suppl:2-14. [4] Kleefstra N et al, Chromium and insulin
resistance. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2004 Jan 31;148(5):217-20. [5]
Lamson DS et al, The safety and efficacy of high-dose chromium.
Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):218-35.

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