The researchers reported that the effects of chromium on the brain may have produced these effects. In an 8-week study, 1,000 μg/day of chromium (in the form of chromium picolinate) reduced food intake, hunger and cravings in healthy overweight women ( 15). Several studies have examined whether chromium picolinate may be useful in this capacity.
Most people who have tried to lose weight and keep it off are familiar with feelings of hunger and strong food cravings.Īs a result, many are interested in foods, supplements or medications that could help combat these urges. However, the results have been mixed, and these benefits have not typically been observed in those without diabetes. Summaryįor those with diabetes, chromium supplements may be effective at improving the body’s response to insulin or lowering blood sugar. Overall, some benefits of taking these supplements have been seen in those with diabetes but not in every instance. In fact, a large examination of 425 healthy people found that chromium supplements did not alter sugar or insulin levels ( 14). What’s more, research in obese adults without diabetes found that 1,000 μg/day of chromium picolinate did not improve the body’s response to insulin ( 13). However, other studies of three or more months of chromium supplementation have not shown improved blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes ( 12). Other research has shown that those with higher blood sugar and lower insulin sensitivity may respond better to chromium supplements ( 9, 10).Īdditionally, in a large study of over 62,000 adults, the likelihood of having diabetes was 27% lower in those who took dietary supplements containing chromium ( 11). One study found that 16 weeks of 200 μg/day of chromium was able to lower blood sugar and insulin while improving the body’s response to insulin ( 8). Several studies have indicated that taking chromium supplements can improve blood sugar for those with diabetes ( 7, 8). In people with diabetes, there are problems with the body’s normal response to insulin. In healthy people, the hormone insulin has an important role in signaling the body to bring blood sugar into the cells of the body. Chromium picolinate is the form often found in dietary supplements. It plays a role in the metabolism of nutrients through its impact on the hormone insulin. SummaryĬhromium is a mineral found in low doses in many foods. For this reason, this type is commonly found in dietary supplements ( 3, 6).Ĭhromium picolinate is the mineral chromium attached to three molecules of picolinic acid ( 3). However, chromium picolinate is an alternate form of chromium that is absorbed better. Interestingly, the absorption of chromium in the intestines is very low, with less than 2.5% of ingested chromium being absorbed ( 1). Insulin, a molecule released by the pancreas, is important in your body’s processing of carbs, fat and protein ( 5). This safe form, trivalent chromium, is typically considered essential, meaning that it must be obtained from the diet.Īlthough some researchers question whether this mineral is truly essential, it does serve several important functions in the body ( 2).įor example, it is part of a molecule called chromodulin, which helps the hormone insulin perform its actions in the body ( 3, 4). Although one dangerous form can be found in industrial pollution, a safe form is found naturally in many foods ( 1). Chromium is a mineral that exists in several forms.
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