What is Chromium Picolinate?
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Chromium Picolinate |
Chromium is one of the 90 elements found in nature and is naturally occurring in very small amounts in food. It is found in grains, meat and fish. Many foods that are processed, and therefore not in their natural state, lose their chromium during this processing.
It is estimated that as much as 90% of the US population is chromium deficient. Certain drugs have been shown to deplete chromium levels in the body as well. As far back as 1968 it was shown that chromium is necessary for the body to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. A number of studies suggest that the mechanism for chromium use in the body is that it functions as a necessary co factor for the hormone insulin. Chromium is an important component in the molecule called glucose tolerance factor (GTF). GTF is very important to the body ‘s being able to use insulin to get glucose into the cells.
Insulin is produced by the pancreas gland in the body. It is necessary for the body to utilize glucose (sugars) from the bloodstream and use it for energy for the body. If the body is not able to utilize insulin the glucose will not be properly utilized and it can be stored as fat. Foods are classified as proteins, fats or carbohydrates.
Glucose is a product of carbohydrates being broken down by the body in order to create fuel for the body to function. In their naturally occurring state carbohydrates require the body to break them down in order to utilize them. However the more a carbohydrate is processed the less the body has to do to turn it into sugar and the quicker the glucose (sugar) enters the blood stream.
The pancreas responds to the glucose in the blood and secretes an appropriate amount of insulin to facilitate the glucose getting into the cells where it can be burned for energy. It has been suggested that eventually, after years of secreting insulin in response to the sharp spikes in glucose as a result of the continual eating of refined carbohydrates the body may become insulin resistant. If the body becomes insulin resistant then the blood will have high insulin levels and high glucose levels. This leads to increased body fat that can lead to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation is now believed to be involved with almost every major chronic disease.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends a minimum of 133 micrograms of chromium a day. Minimum daily requirements (MDR) are based on the amount of a nutrient necessary to avoid disease, not necessarily the amount to provide for optimal wellness. Many are of the opinion that MDR’s are outdated and not based on the most current research.
Because it is so difficult to obtain enough chromium from your diet, taking a dietary supplement is a good way to do it. When a mineral is ingested it must first pass into the intestine, then into the bloodstream and ultimately into the cells of the body. Research has shown that the most absorbable form of chromium is chromium picolinate.
Chromium picolinate is a chemical compound which consists of chromium being chemically bonded to picolinic acid. Picolinic acid is produced naturally in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Picolinic acid is secreted from the pancreas during digestion.
Research has shown that 200-400mcg of chromium is an appropriate maintenance dose while significant benefits were shown at 1000mcg per day. Many daily multi-vitamin supplements contain 200 mcg of chromium so when taking supplements containing the total chromium amount should be taken into consideration.
