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| Chromium |
Last updated: Jul 17, 2008 |
 Chromium can help with the following: | |  | | | | Circulation |  Atherosclerosis | Dosage: 200mcg/day. Often deficient in atherosclerosis, supplementation may result in plaque regression. |
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Hormones |
 Elevated Insulin Levels| | Chromium picolinate supplementation at 1,000mcg per day over a 13-week period combined with exercise decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin levels in a recent small study of both males and females. [J Nutr Biochem, 1998;9: pp.471-475] |
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Lab Values |
Elevated LDL/HDL Ratio
Elevated Total Cholesterol| | Chromium picolinate supplementation at 1,000mcg per day over a 13-week period combined with exercise decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin levels in a recent small study of both males and females. [J Nutr Biochem, 1998;9: pp.471-475] |
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Mental |
Depression| | Dysthymic disorder is a relatively common illness that is often treated with antidepressants. Compared with the study of major depression, there has been little systematic study of potentiation strategies for antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder. METHOD: Following a patient's report of dramatic response to the addition of chromium supplementation to sertraline pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder (DSM-IV), the authors initiated a series of single-blind and open-label trials of chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate in the treatment of antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder. RESULTS: In a series of 5 patients, chromium supplementation led to remission of dysthymic symptoms. Single-blind substitution of other dietary supplements in each of the patients demonstrated specificity of response to chromium supplementation. CONCLUSION: Preliminary observations suggest that chromium may potentiate antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder. Controlled studies are indicated to test the validity of these initial observations. [J Clin Psychiatry. 1999 Apr;60(4): pp.237-40] |
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Metabolic |
Metabolic Diet Type
Hypoglycemia| | Chromium status should be optimized for its benefit in carbohydrate disorders (both hypoglycemia and adult-onset diabetes). Studies have shown that chromium supplementation is helpful with hypoglycemia and can improve glucose tolerance test results and increase the number of insulin receptors on red blood cells. |
Problem Caused By Being Overweight| | A 3-month double-blind study of 122 moderately overweight people found that 400mcg of chromium daily resulted in an average loss of 6.2 pounds (2.8kg) of body fat, as opposed to 3.4 pounds (1.5kg) in the placebo group. There was no loss of lean body mass. These results suggest that chromium can help you lose fat without losing muscle.
However, six smaller double-blind placebo-controlled studies found chromium picolinate supplements produced no weight loss or change in lean body mass. These conflicting results may be due to differences in study size, the dosage of chromium, and the individuals enrolled. Overall, chromium does appear to be promising. |
Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X) |
Nutrients |
 Chromium Deficiency
Tryptophan Need| | Chromium picolinate helps to promote conversion of tryptophan to serotonin. It accomplishes this by facilitating absorption into muscle tissue of the amino acids that compete with tryptophan for access to the brain. |
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Organ Health |
Diabetes Type II / Risk| | This is the most important micronutrient in helping to stabilize blood sugar level. Chromium affect cellular absorption and makes a more effective use of the insulin, but it does not increase the panceas' production of insulin. It has its greatest effect on type 2 diabetes.
Chromium picolinate at 5000mcg per day over a 3 month period reduced fasting and 2-hour glucose levels as well as reducing insulin requirements in a study of 136 patients with adult-onset diabetes. [Reported at the American Diabetes Association Meeting, June 14-18, 2002. San Francisco, California]
Six months of treatment with chromium picolinate (500 or 1000mcg per day) reduced hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) and improved lipid profiles in a well-controlled study of 52 patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1C greater than 8% despite insulin requirements of greater than 50 units/d. Chromium had no effect on insulin requirements. [Effects of chromium treatment in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes mellitus. 18th International Diabetes Federation Congress, Paris, August 24-29, 2003] |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Adult Acne| | High-chromium yeast is known to improve glucose tolerance and enhance insulin sensitivity. In an uncontrolled study, chromium was reported to induce rapid improvement in patients with acne. Repeated skin biopies have shown there to be a localized glucose intolerance in most acne patients. [Ind J Derm 1977:22; pp.139-149] Since insulin treatments have improved acne, it would be suspected that chromium works by improving insulin sensitivity and helping this condition. Acne has also been called "skin diabetes". |
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Uro-Genital |
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)| | Chromium potentiates the action of insulin. In 3 women with PCOS, 1,000mcg of chromium per day for a duration of 2 months improved insulin sensitivity by 30%. [Fertil Steril. 2006;80: pp. S45-S46] In a separate study with 5 women, the improvement was 38%. [Fertil Steril. 2006;86: pp.243-246] |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
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GLOSSARY
Acne: A chronic skin disorder due to inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (secretion glands in the skin).
Carbohydrates: The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
Cholesterol: A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Chromium: Chromium is a mineral that becomes a part of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF). Chromium aids in insulin utilization and blood sugar control. By controlling blood sugar, chromium helps prevent the damage caused by glucose, which is called glycation. Chromium helps maintain normal cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein levels. Chromium is also important in building muscle and reducing obesity.
Diabetes Mellitus: A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Enzymes: Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Fatty Acids: Chemical chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that are part of a fat (lipid) and are the major component of triglycerides. Depending on the number and arrangement of these atoms, fatty acids are classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated. They are nutritional substances found in nature which include cholesterol, prostaglandins, and stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and decohexanoic acids. Important nutritional lipids include lecithin, choline, gamma-linoleic acid, and inositol.
Glucose: A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.
Glucose Tolerance Factor: (GTF): A compound containing chromium that aids insulin in regulating blood sugar levels.
Hypoglycemia: A condition characterized by an abnormally low blood glucose level. Severe hypoglycemia is rare and dangerous. It can be caused by medications such as insulin (diabetics are prone to hypoglycemia), severe physical exhaustion, and some illnesses.
Insulin: A hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin stimulates the liver, muscles, and fat cells to remove glucose from the blood for use or storage.
Metabolism: The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds.
Microgram: (mcg): 1/1,000 of a milligram in weight.
Mineral: Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.
Triglyceride: The main form of fat found in foods and the human body. Containing three fatty acids and one unit of glycerol, triglycerides are stored in adipose cells in the body, which, when broken down, release fatty acids into the blood. Triglycerides are fat storage molecules and are the major lipid component of the diet.
