Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace mineral necessary for the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Your best food sources for chromium are whole grains, ready-top-eat bran cereals, seafood, green beans, broccoli, prunes, nuts, peanut butter and potatoes.

Commercially chromium is found in several forms including chromium nicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromium-enriched yeast, and chromium chloride; the most popular form is chromium picolinate. There are many sites singing the praises of chromium picolinate as a weight loss supplement. It is also said to promote muscle growth, lower cholesterol, and reverse diabetes. Two decades of testing chromium picolinate has only led to controversy, confusion and concerns that health problems are created rather than prevented. The research on chromium metabolism has determined that even though picolinate is well absorbed by your body, it is not effectively metabolized or incorporated into the tissues.

If you are considering a chromium supplement it is important to understand that not all supplements are made using the same process. Picolinate is made by a chemical process using four different chemical techniques; GTF (glucose tolerance factor) is made by fermenting nutritional yeast with chromium.

Chromium GTF appears to be a much safer form but there are some factors to be considered before taking even this form of chromium.

• Anyone taking antidiabetic medications should consult with a physician before taking Chromium GTF; your medication dosage may need to be adjusted.
• The label should state “biological activity” and should have no other additives (such as niacin).
• It is recommended that Chromium GTF be taken with no other food or supplements; Zinc competes with chromium for absorption.
• Chromium in a vitamin pill is not the same as GTF; most vitamins do not contain biological active chromium.
• The daily recommended supplementation is 200 micrograms.
• It is generally recommended that chromium be taken with no other food or supplement.

Supplements should be beneficial not detrimental to your health.

Category: Product Analysis