chromium picolonate [Archive] - CANADA BODYBUILDING

ScorpioChiq

10-10-2011, 08:31 PM

hi p,

can i take all 600mcg with breakfast, cause my bottle says to take it with meals, pills are 200mcg each. any side effects when coming off this, and is it only for diabetcs or general population too?

thx

You can take it all at breakfast or split it up with each meal. AOR is a good brand and each pill is 600mcg. No side effects coming off - it's for anyone who can benefit from a healthy glucose metabolism. However, diet itself is way more important. I usually recommend it to people with high or high normal fasting glucose levels, or with some women if they tend to have a lot of cravings. Various studies below.

Effect of chromium on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the fat-fed, streptozotocin-treated rat.
Metabolism. 2007 Sep;56(9):1233-40.
Sahin K, Onderci M, Tuzcu M, Ustundag B, Cikim G, Ozercan IH, Sriramoju V, Juturu V, Komorowski JR.

Chromium supplements are widely used as an alternative remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In vitro study findings show that chromium picolinate (CrPic) may improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing intracellular insulin receptor. In this study, we evaluated the metabolic effects of CrPic in a rat model of T2DM. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 45, 8 weeks old) were divided into 3 groups. The controls (group I) received a standard diet (12% of calories as fat); group II received a high-fat diet (HFD; 40% of calories as fat) for 2 weeks and then were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg; HFD/STZ) on day 14; group III rats were given group II diets with the addition of 80 microg CrPic per kilogram body weight per day. The addition of CrPic in the group III treatment lowered glucose by an average of 63% (P < .001), total cholesterol by 9.7% (P < .001), and triglycerides by 6.6% (P < .001) compared with group II treatment. Compared with group II, CrPic treatment also lowered free fatty acid levels by 24% (P < .001), blood urea by 33% (P < .05), and creatinine level by 25% (P < .01), and reduced the severity of glomerular sclerosis (P < .0001). Histopathologic findings suggest that the CrPic-treated group had normal renal tubular appearance compared with the HFD/STZ-treated group. Normal appearance of hepatocytes was observed in the CrPic-treated group. These results showed that CrPic has marked beneficial effects against microvascular complications. In conclusion, HFD/STZ rats provide a novel animal model for T2DM. Further treatment with CrPic for 10 weeks significantly ameliorated changes in metabolic risk factors including favorable changes in histopathology of the liver, kidney, and pancreas, suggesting its potential role in the management of diabetes.

Clinical studies on chromium picolinate supplementation in diabetes mellitus--a review.
Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Dec;8(6):677-87.
Broadhurst CL, Domenico P.

Chromium (Cr) picolinate (CrPic) is a widely used nutritional supplement for optimal insulin function. A relationship among Cr status, diabetes, and associated pathologies has been established. Virtually all trials using CrPic supplementation for subjects with diabetes have demonstrated beneficial effects. Thirteen of 15 clinical studies (including 11 randomized, controlled studies) involving a total of 1,690 subjects (1,505 in CrPic group) reported significant improvement in at least one outcome of glycemic control. All 15 studies showed salutary effects in at least one parameter of diabetes management, including dyslipidemia. Positive outcomes from CrPic supplementation included reduced blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and reduced requirements for hypoglycemic medication. The greater bioavailability of CrPic compared with other forms of Cr (e.g., niacin-bound Cr or CrCl(3)) may explain its comparatively superior efficacy in glycemic and lipidemic control. The pooled data from studies using CrPic supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects show substantial reductions in hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, which equate to a reduced risk for disease complications. Collectively, the data support the safety and therapeutic value of CrPic for the management of cholesterolemia and hyperglycemia in subjects with diabetes.

Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Am Heart J 2005;149:632-6.
Vrtovec M, Vrotovec B, Brinski A, Kcoijancic A, Anderson RA and Radovancevic B.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the potential effects of chromium supplementation on QTc interval duration in type 2 diabetic patients.
METHODS: Of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 30 were randomly assigned to group A, and 30 to group B. Group A received 1000 Ag of chromium picolinate (CrPic) daily for 3 months, followed by placebo in the next 3 months; group B was treated with placebo for the first 3 months and CrPic in the next 3 months. At each visit, QT interval was measured on a standard electrocardiogram by averaging 3 consecutive beats in leads II and V4 and corrected for heart rate with Bazett formula.
RESULTS: Although baseline QTc interval was similar in both groups (422 F 34 milliseconds in group A vs 425 F 24 milliseconds in group B, P = .77), QTc interval at 3 months was shorter in group A (406 F 35 milliseconds) than in group B (431 F 26 milliseconds, P = .01). In the following 3 months, QTc interval shortened in group B but not in group A, which resulted in a comparable QTc interval duration of both groups at the end of the study (414 F 28 milliseconds in group A vs 409 F 22 milliseconds in group B, P = .50). Apart from body mass index (31.4 F 4.2 kg/m2 in patients with QTc shortening vs 28.7 F 4.2 kg/m2 in patients without QTc shortening, P = .03), none of the clinical and laboratory variables predicted QTc interval shortening in our patient cohort.
CONCLUSIONS: Short-term chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effect of chromium picolinate on insulin sensitivity in vivo.
J Trace Elem Exp Med. 1999 May; 12(2): 71-83.
Cefalu W, Bell-Farrow A, Stegner J, Wang ZQ, King T, Morgan T, Terry JG.

This study assessed the effect of chromium (Cr) supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition in subjects at high risk for Type 2 diabetes because of family history and obesity. Twenty-nine subjects (14 men, 15 women) were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using chromium picolinate (CrPic) (1,000 mcg/day), or placebo for 8 months of study. Clinical and metabolic evaluations consisted of insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (Sg); measurement of glucose tolerance and insulin response to an oral glucose tolerance test (75 g OGTT); and 24-hour glucose and insulin profiles. Anthropometric measures and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessed abdominal fat distribution. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels and measures of glycemia (glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine) were also assessed. The CrPic group showed a significant increase in insulin sensitivity at midpoint (P < .05) and end of study (P < .005) compared with controls, which had no significant changes. No change in Sg was seen in either group. There was no effect of CrPic on body weight, abdominal fat distribution, or body mass index. However, CrPic significantly improved insulin sensitivity in these obese subjects with a family history of Type 2 diabetes. Improvement in insulin sensitivity without a change in body fat distribution suggests that Cr may alter insulin sensitivity independent of a change in weight or body fat percentage, thereby implying a direct effect on muscle insulin action. Definitive double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials are currently being conducted to confirm this observation in Type 2 diabetic subjects and evaluate the effects of Cr supplementation on insulin action and glycemic control.

Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes. 1997 Nov; 46(11): 1786-91.
Anderson RA, Cheng N, Bryden NA, Polansky MM, Cheng N, Chi J, Feng J.

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The chromium requirement is postulated to increase with increased glucose intolerance and diabetes. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the elevated intake of supplemental chromium is involved in the control of type 2 diabetes. Individuals being treated for type 2 diabetes (180men and women) were divided randomly into three groups and supplemented with: 1) placebo, 2) 1.92 micromol (100 microg) Cr as chromium picolinate two times per day, or 3) 9.6 micromol (500 microg) Cr two times per day. Subjects continued to take their normal medications and were instructed not to change their normal eating and living habits. HbA1c values improved significantly after 2 months in the group receiving 19.2 pmol (1,000 microg) Cr per day and was lower in both chromium groups after 4 months (placebo, 8.5 +/- 0.2%; 3.85 micromol Cr, 7.5 +/- 0.2%; 19.2 micromol Cr, 6.6 +/- 0.1%). Fasting glucose was lower in the 19.2-micromol group after 2 and 4 months (4-month values: placebo, 8.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l; 19.2 micromol Cr, 7.1 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). Two-hour glucose values were also significantly lower for the subjects consuming 19.2 micromol supplemental Cr after both 2 and 4 months (4-month values: placebo, 12.3 +/- 0.4 mmo/l; 19.2 micromol Cr, 10.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/l). Fasting and 2-h insulin values decreased significantly in both groups receiving supplemental chromium after 2 and 4 months. Plasma total cholesterol also decreased after 4 months in the subjects receiving 19.2 micromol/day Cr. These data demonstrate that supplemental chromium had significant beneficial effects on HbA1c, glucose, insulin, and cholesterol variables in subjects with type 2 diabetes. The beneficial effects of chromium in individuals with diabetes were observed at levels higher than the upper limit of the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake.

Glycemic Control Is Improved by the Combination of Chromium Picolinate and Biotin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetes. 2004 Jun; 53(Suppl 2): A587(Abs2483).
Albarracin C, Fuqua B, Finch M, Juturu V, Komorowski JR.

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) improves glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Biotin is known to have a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism. Earlier studies have shown the combination of these two nutrients leads to synergistic effects on glycemic control. The dramatic increase in type 2 DM makes adjuvant nutritional glycemic control therapies an important goal. The current study examined the effects of the combination of CrPic and biotin on glycemic control in people with type 2 DM. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study evaluated the changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and health care costs. Subjects were randomized on a 2:1 ratio of actives to placebo. We report here an interim analysis as part of an ongoing trial with a substantially larger subject population.? Subjects (n=34) were those with BMI > 25 and < 35 kg/m²; fasting blood glucose <300 mg/dL, on stable oral antidiabetic medications for at least 60 days (excluding concomitant insulin) with HbA1c >7%, and at least a one-year history of type 2 DM. Subjects were administered chromium as CrPic (600 mcg Cr) and biotin (2 mg; active, n=23) or placebo (n=11) once daily for three months. Subjects continued their normal medication(s) for blood glucose, hypertension and/or
lipid control. Fasting HbA1c levels were analyzed at baseline and at 90 days. The combination of CrPic and biotin significantly decreased HbA1c (p<0.01; mean decrease of 0.5 %). Decreases in HbA1c were observed in 87% of active treated subjects. No significant change was observed in the placebo group. These results suggest that the combination of CrPic and biotin may improve glucose control. Adding CrPic and biotin as an adjuvant therapy for type 2 DM management may be a cost-effective option for the treatment of diabetes.

Effects of chromium III on fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and cholesterol HDL levels in diabetics.
Cent Afr J Med. 1983 Apr; 29(4): 80-2.
Mossop RT.

Design: 26 patients with diabetes were randomly assigned to either placebo or chromium treatment group (600 mcg/d). Mean fasting blood glucose was recorded before and after the trial.
Results: The initial mean fasting blood glucose was 259 mg/dL in both groups. After 2- 4 months of supplementation, the chromium-treated patients had a mean fasting blood glucose of 119 mg/dL. Patients receiving placebo had a mean fasting blood glucose of 221 mg/dL.
Conclusion: Chromium has some effect on glucose metabolism.

Chromium picolinate supplementation for diabetes mellitus.
J Fam Pract. 1998 Jan; 46(1): 83-6.
Fox GN, Sabovic Z.

Chromium picolinate is a widely available nutritional supplement marketed for a plethora of afflictions. There is some evidence, including results from human studies, that it has a role in glucose homeostasis. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with an 18-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus whose glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) declined from 11.3% to 7.9% 3 months after initiation of chromium picolinate, 200 micrograms 3 times daily. Chromium picolinate continues to fall squarely within the scope of "alternative medicine," with both unproven benefits and unknown risks. It deserves closer scrutiny with additional prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate its efficacy in improving outcomes in patients with diabetes. A brief review of the literature was done to assist physicians who are being called upon to counsel and treat patients who are engaging in alternative therapies.

Effect of Short Term Treatment with Chromium on BMI, Lipids, and Fasting Glucose in Obese Subjects.
Diabetes. 2004 Jun; 53(Suppl 2): A596(Abs2520).
Talavera AG, Reza A, Cerda J.

Objective: To investigate the effect of chromium picolinate supplement on body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol (CT), tryglicerides (TG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
Method: Fifty-four women and six men , all obese adults, from a rural zone, were randomly assigned to two groups. Subjects received either 1000 mcg/day of chromium picolinate supplementation (AG) or a placebo (PG) in triple masked fashion for 8 weeks. Anthropometrics measurements: BMI, waist ?hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP) assessed for skin folds (SF) measurement and bioelectrical impedance (BI). Biochemical parameters: serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose, measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.[table1]
Conclusion: Eight weeks of 1000 mcg/day of chromium as a chromium picolinate supplement significantly affected BMI and TG in moderately obese Mexican rural women with abdominal adipose tissue distribution.An unexpected beneficial effect on BI and SF was observed in both groups.

Improvement in Fasting Blood Glucose with the Combination of Chromium Picolinate and Biotin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetes. 2004 Jun; 53(Suppl 2): A45(Abs191-OR).
Geohas J, Finch M, Juturu V, Greenberg D, Komorowski JR.

Chromium picolinate (Cr Pic) improves insulin sensitivity and biotin improves beta cell function leading to enhancement of insulin regulation. Earlier studies have shown that the combination of Cr Pic and biotin improves glycemic control, lipid profiles, and enhances glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. The current 30 - day, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was designed to evaluate the effects of the combination of CrPic and biotin on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fructosamine in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM; n=25). Participants were taking stable doses of oral antidiabetic medication(s) excluding concomitant insulin, however, even with multiple medications this subject population did not have tight glucose control. To be included subjects also had to have Hb A1c >7% and at least a one year history of type 2 DM. Subjects were randomly assigned to active (n=14; 600 mcg Cr as CrPic and Biotin 2 mg/per day) or placebo (n=11) for four weeks. Demographic characteristics, family history and medical history were recorded. At the end of the study, there was a significant decrease in FBG levels in the active (- 26.2 mg/dL) but not in the placebo (+15.3 mg/dL) group (p<0.01). A significant drop of FBG was observed in over 70% of subjects in the active and only 27% subjects in the placebo group. A tendency for a decrease in fasting fructosamine was also observed in actives (-32.4 mcmoles/L) but not placebo (+ 7.73 mcmoles/L; p<0.07). These positive short-term effects are suggestive of more long-term benifits. These results suggest that the combination of CrPic and biotin may benefit individuals with type 2 DM who are hyperglycemic and have high fructosamine levels by reducing the risk factors and complications of this disease. In addition, these results suggest that this nutrient combination may be a valuable adjuvant therapy for the management of type 2 DM in those patients who fail to control blood sugar levels.