:Chromium:
Glucose-Tolerance-Factor:

:Traditional-Uses:

• Athletic performance
• Blood sugar regulation
• Cardiovascular health
• Cholesterol reduction
• Cravings: caffeine, carbohydrates, chocolate, sweets
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Glucose-Tolerance
• Hypoglycemia
• Longevity: ~5 years
• Muscle mass
• Syndrome X: Insulin resistance syndrome
• Triglyceride reduction
• Weight-management

Chromium is the only mineral that the body is not able to conserve. It is used up by eating refined and processed foods, as it is one of the first nutrients lost and is needed to metabolize sugars and carbohydrates. Deficiency contributes to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes and cuts about 5 years off life-expectancy.

Chromium Glucose-Tolerance Factor is the biologically active niacin-bound form of chromium that promotes proper insulin function in the body. Insulin plays an important role in weight management, cardiovascular health and muscle growth, and healthy amounts of chromium may help the body control sugar cravings and maintain proper blood-sugar levels required for successful weight management.

An essential mineral, chromium assists the body in metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, while helping to maintain proper insulin levels. Insulin is part of the fundamental biological processes of regulating the movement of glucose out of the blood stream and into cells. Research indicates chromium is a cofactor for glucose uptake through the cell membrane. This occurs when chromium is converted into Glucose Tolerance Factor, the active form of the mineral which supports the functions of insulin in the body, such as maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and appetite control.

Chromium supplementation improves glucose tolerance in people with Turner’s syndrome, a condition linked with glucose intolerance. 1

Chromium can also increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol, 2 while lowering total cholesterol. 3

Chromium picolinate can improve body composition. Research in animals 4 and humans 5 6 shows that chromium picolinate increases fat loss and promotes a gain in lean muscle tissue. Double-blind research shows a reduction in body fat 7 and body weight 8 in people given 400 mcg of chromium (as chromium picolinate) per day for three months. However, other studies have failed to show a significant effect of chromium picolinate on body composition. 9

A source of chromium is true brewer’s yeast, but many people are sensitive to yeast. Nutritional yeast and torula yeast do not contain significant amounts of chromium. Chromium is found in grains and cereals, though much is lost in refining. Some beers contain significant amounts of chromium.

Chromium-Deficiency:

Most Americans eat less than the U.S. National Academy of Science’s recommended range of 50 to 200 mcg per day. The high incidence of adult-onset diabetes suggests that many people should supplement chromium. A daily intake of 200 mcg is recommended for prevention.
In supplemental amounts (typically 50–300 mcg per day), chromium has not been found to cause toxicity in humans. A few reports of people developing medical problems while taking chromium have not revealed any causative relationships. One study suggests that chromium in very high concentrations in a test tube could cause chromosomal mutations in ovarian cells of hamsters. 10 11 Chromium picolinate can be altered by antioxidants or hydrogen peroxide in the body to a form that could itself create free radical damage. 12 Theoretically, these changes could increase cancer risk, but chromium intake is not linked to increased cancer in humans. 13

Chromium supplementation may enhance effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin , blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. People taking medications for diabetes should supplement chromium with the supervision of a doctor, and reduce drug dosages as needed.

One report of severe illness with liver and kidney damage in a person taking 1,000 mcg of chromium per day is reported. 14 Chromium supplementation was not proven to be the cause. Another source claims there have been reports of mild heart rhythm abnormalities with excessive chromium ingestion. 15 No published evidence supports this assertion.
Three unrelated cases of toxicity are known from chromium picolinate. A kidney failure started after taking 600 mcg per day for six weeks. 16 A case of anemia, liver dysfunction, and other issues started after four to five months of 1,200–2,400 mcg per day. 17 A case of the muscle disease rhabdomyolysis started in a body builder taking 1200 mcg over 48 hours. 18 Whether these issues were caused by chromium or picolinate or other factors is unkown. Limit intake to 300 mcg per day of chromium unless more is recommended by your health practitioner.

Vitamin C increases the absorption of chromium. 19

Certain medications may interact with chromium. Refer to the drug interactions safety check for a list of those medications.

References:
1. Saner G, Yüzbasiyan V, Neyzi O, et al. Alterations of chromium metabolism and effect of chromium supplementation in Turner’s syndrome patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1983;38:574–8.
2. Riales R, Albrink MJ. Effect of chromium chloride supplementation on glucose tolerance and serum lipids including high-density lipoprotein of adult men. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:2670–8.
3. Wang MM, Fox EZ, Stoecker BJ, et al. Serum cholesterol of adults supplemented with brewer’s yeast or chromium chloride. Nutr Res 1989;9:989–98.
4. Page TG, Southern LL, Ward TL, et al. Effect of chromium picolinate on growth and serum and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. J Anim Sci 1993;71:656–62.
5. Lefavi R, Anderson R, Keith R, et al. Efficacy of chromium supplementation in athletes: emphasis on anabolism. Int J Sport Nutr 1992;2:111–22.
6. McCarty MF. The case for supplemental chromium and a survey of clinical studies with chromium picolinate. J Appl Nutr 1991;43:59–66.
7. Kaats GR, Blum K, Fisher JA, Adelman JA. Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. Curr Ther Res 1996;57:747–56.
8. Kaats GR, Blum K, Pullin D, et al. A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of the effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a replication and extension of a previous study. Curr Ther Res 1998;59:379–88.
9. Hallmark MA, Reynolds TH, DeSouza CA, et al. Effects of chromium and resistive training on muscle strength and body composition. Med Sci Spt Ex 1996;28:139–44.
10. Sterns DM, Belbruno JJ, Wetterhahn KE. A prediction of chromium (III) accumulation in humans from chromium dietary supplements. FASEB J 1995;9:1650–7.
11. Sterns DM, Wise JP, Patierno SR, Wetterhahn KE. Chromium (III) picolinate produces chromosome damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells. FASEB J 1995;9:1643–9.
12. Speetjens JK, Collins RA, Vincent JB, Woski SA. The nutritional supplement chromium (III) tris(picolinate) cleaves DNA. Chem Res Toxicol 1999;12:483–7.
13. Garland M, Morris JS, Colditz GA, et al. Toenail trace element levels and breast cancer. Am J Epidemiol 1996;144:653–60.
14. Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Guathier I, et al. Chromium picolinate toxicity. Ann Pharmacother 1998;32:428–31.
15. Shannon M. Alternative medicines toxicology: a review of selected agents. J Clin Toxicol 1999;37:709–13.
16. Wasser WG, Feldman NS. Chronic renal failure after ingestion of over-the-counter chromium picolinate. Ann Intern Med 1997;126:410 [letter].
17. Cerulli J, Grabe DW, Gauthier I, et al. Chromium picolinate toxicity. Ann Pharmacother 1998;32:428–31.
18. Martin WR, Fuller RE. Suspected chromium picolinate-induced rhabdomyolysis. Pharmacotherapy 1998;18:860–2.
19. Offenbacher EG. Promotion of chromium absorption by ascorbic acid. Trace Elements Electrolytes 1994;11:178–81.

Chromium & Weight-Management

In a study conducted at the Health and Medical Research Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, researchers examined the effect of chromium picolinate on body composition in 154 subjects.* The randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study administered 200 and 400mcg of chromium daily for a total of 72 days. Body composition was measured before and after the test period by using underwater displacement testing. Patients however were allowed to follow any diet they chose, and did not receive any weight loss, dietary or exercise guidance from the researchers. On completion of the post trial exam, body composition improvement was calculated for each subject by adding the amount of body fat lost and nonfat mass gained, then subtracting fat gained and lean mass lost. The researchers found that both the 200mcg and 400mcg groups had significantly higher positive changes compared to placebo. Those taking chromium experienced an average fat loss of 2.5 pounds versus about one quarter pound in the placebo group. The researchers also observed a gain of 4 pounds of lean body mass in the chromium groups, versus less than one half pound in the placebo group.