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]
What are the side effects of chromium?
Researchers believe that supplements of chromium may have serious side effects
to certain users, Individual patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus may have an
increased risk of hypoglycaemic episodes when taking chromium supplements. [4]
In addition, chromium supplementation does result in tissue retention in the
kidney, although no pathogenic effect has been demonstrated despite
considerable study. [5]
Finally, 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] Users must fully understand the benefits and potential
side effects of chromium picolinate, before taking it.
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.
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]
What are the side effects of chromium?
Researchers believe that supplements of chromium may have serious side effects
to certain users, Individual patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus may have an
increased risk of hypoglycaemic episodes when taking chromium supplements. [4]
In addition, chromium supplementation does result in tissue retention in the
kidney, although no pathogenic effect has been demonstrated despite
considerable study. [5]
Finally, 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] Users must fully understand the benefits and potential
side effects of chromium picolinate, before taking it.
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.
 |  |  |  |
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |