chromium picolinate (longish post)

[Guest guest]

> It seems that high blood sugar is a concern of several people on this list.

 

Thanks - personal anecdotes of this kind can sometimes be useful and are

always interesting ;=) But info on the net suggests Chromium picolinate, when

it has been used, has evidently been used for *low* blood sugar -

hypoglycaemia . . . This is one reason it is wise to take expert opinion from

one's own medical advisor. (And this is not a medical list.)

 

However, that aside LOL, I found a bunch of information, which I will add in

below with links. Anyone interested, please read before you jump.

 

Best, Pat ;=)

 

* HERE'S ONE REPORT (dated 2005): UC Berkeley Wellness Newsletter

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsChromium.php

 

`Chromium is an essential mineral, but deficiency is rare in the U.S. There's

no evidence that chromium supplements perform as claimed, promote weight

loss, or benefit healthy people. There is some evidence that the picolinate

form may harm cells. Diabetics should take only on medical advice. `

 

It states further:

 

`The best and safest source of chromium is food. Whole grains, ready-to-eat

bran cereals, seafood, green beans, broccoli, prunes, nuts, peanut butter, and

potatoes are rich in chromium. Sugary foods are lowin this mineral and may

even promote chromium loss; vitamin C may increase its absorption. Don't

exceed the amount in multivitamin/mineral pills—20 to 120 micrograms—

which preferably should not be in the form of chromium picolinate.'

 

There's more in there, so have a look.

 

* HERE'S ANOTHER: Ask the Dietician

http://www.dietitian.com/chromium.html

 

`It is not recommended to use chromium picolinate to control blood sugar

levels. There is no proof that chromium supplements can help treat or prevent

diabetes and other health problems.'

 

and

`It is relatively easy to get safe and adequate amounts of chromium (50-200

micrograms per day) by eating a variety of foods like brewer's yeast, calf's

liver [sorry about that!-Pat], American cheese and wheat germ.'

 

Also

`People who take chromium picolinate supplements may suffer health

problems rather than improved health. Although claims of weight loss,

lowered cholesterol and reversal of diabetes are unfounded, researchers

have shown that chromium supplements damaged cell chromosomes which

are the blueprints for a cell's function and reproduction. It is generally

thought

that cancer starts with a change to the genetic material in a cell causing it to

grow and reproduce without restraint.'

 

* RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT from the UK Food Standards Agency.

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/dec/chromiumupdate

 

`In 2003, the report of the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM)

noted that there was some evidence suggesting that chromium picolinate

might be genotoxic, which means that it could damage DNA. . . .

 

`The COM reviewed the genotoxicity of chromium and chromium picolinate

and recommended some further research. On the basis of the results from this

research, which COM received in November 2004, the Committee concluded

that the balance of the evidence suggested that chromium picolinate was not

genotoxic.

 

`The FSA advises that most people can get the chromium they need from a

healthy, balanced diet. For those people who wish to supplement their diet

with chromium, the maximum upper level recommended by the EVM is 10 mg

a day. There is no need to avoid chromium picolinate.'

 

[And from what I read, no reason to take it either. It's effectiveness as an

appetite suppressant has also been debunked. - Pat]