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Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. Chromium is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable. Chromium has high corrosion resistance and hardness. Chromium oxide was used by the Chinese in the Qin dynasty over 2,000 years ago to coat weapons.
Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin [A1-A3], a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body [A4]. In 1957, a compound in brewers' yeast was found to prevent an age-related decline in the ability of rats to maintain normal levels of sugar (glucose) in their blood [A3]. Chromium was identified as the active ingredient in this so-called "glucose tolerance factor" in 1959 [A5].
Chromium picolinate is one of the most commonly used chromium dietary supplements available in the United States, and it has been marketed to consumers for use in weight loss, increasing muscle mass, and lowering serum cholesterol. Chromium picolinate is a synthetic compound that provides a bioavailable form of Cr(III) that is absorbed better than dietary chromium.
Chromium Picolinate Supplements - Health Benefits
Supplementation of chromium picolinate may prevent chromium deficiency and it may be helpful for people at risk of diabetes. In the 1960s, chromium was found to correct glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in deficient animals [A1]. In a case, three hospitalized patients who were fed intravenously showed signs of diabetes (including weight loss, neuropathy, and impaired glucose tolerance) until chromium was added to their feeding solution. The chromium, added at dosages of 150 to 250 mcg/day for up to two weeks, corrected their diabetes symptoms. Chromium is now routinely added to intravenous solutions. [A6] Here is a review of such health benefits:
Diabetes
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 is an essential mineral that is needed for insulin activity in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Chromium deficiency impairs the body's ability to use glucose to meet its energy needs and raises insulin requirements. Thus, it makes sense to believe that chromium supplements might help to control type 2 diabetes or the glucose and insulin responses in persons at high risk of developing the disease. A review of randomized controlled clinical trials evaluated this hypothesis.
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] In 2009, 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]
See the section of Qualified Health Claims below.
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