Unveiling The Benefit of Chromium Picolinate

Chromium picolinate is frequently shown name on the ingredient labels of some supplements that support healthy blood sugar metabolism. For those who are unfamiliar with it, to see such a name, the first thing that comes to mind is: what is it? How does it help with diabetes? Is there any other benefit of chromium picolinate? Is it safe? This article will elaborate on them to help you understand everything about it.

What does chromium do for the body?

According to the Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition, chromium has two main functions in the human body. Firstly, it is a component of the active chromium-glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which assists insulin in playing its role and promotes normal carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Secondly, it is also involved in the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

What is chromium picolinate? 

Chromium picolinate is a chromium compound of trivalent chromium and picolinic acid. The structure of chromium picolinate determines its own better absorption rate and enables it to perform its biological functions more effectively than chromium alone. The absorption rate of ordinary chromium preparations is reported to be about 0.5%, while chromium picolinate has an absorption rate of 2%-5%.

In addition, studies show that chromium picolinate helps reduce insulin resistance and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, this compound is commonly used in a nutritional supplement in targeting diabetes.

The benefit of chromium picolinate for diabetes

It is an indisputable fact that the benefit of chromium picolinate for diabetes is effective. How does it improve the disease? People with diabetes usually have insulin resistance, which is a weakened cellular response to insulin. As an important component of the glucose tolerance factor, chromium picolinate is an indispensable trace element for diabetics. The role of chromium picolinate is to maintain the normal form of insulin so that it can pass through the capillary wall smoothly and bind with insulin receptors, which can improve overall insulin sensitivity and effectively control blood glucose levels.

A clinical study on 180 diabetic patients shows that taking chromium picolinate with hypoglycemic drugs can improve diabetic symptoms. Therefore, for diabetic patients and people with abnormal glucose tolerance and at high risk of diabetes, chromium picolinate supplementation has an important role in improving glucose metabolism and in the treatment of diabetes.

For those who are trying to lose weight, they may be familiar with weight management products containing chromium picolinate. Because of its properties to increase insulin sensitivity and promote glucose metabolism, the blood sugar levels are controlled. As a result, your body won’t need that much sugar, thus less food consumption. However, the benefits of chromium picolinate for weight loss are not significant. So far, there is little convincing evidence for the weight loss use of this chromium supplement.

Is chromium picolinate safe?

The answer is yes. As mentioned, chromium picolinate is a trivalent chromium compound. Trivalent chromium is considered to be a trace element needed by our organism. It is found in a wide variety of foods, and we consume about 20 to 30 micrograms in our daily diet. Nowadays, trivalent chromium is added to many multivitamins and trace element supplements, and the current recommended dosage is 100 to 600 micrograms of it per day.

Does everyone need to take trivalent chromium supplements? Currently, the nutritional community does not see much significance in supplementing with trivalent chromium in the normal population. However, for diabetic patients, the benefit of chromium picolinate has been proven effective. Trivalent chromium supplementation is safe, according to recent studies by the U.S. National Toxicology Program that ultra-high doses of chromium picolinate have no effect on growth or body weight in animals and are not carcinogenic. Therefore, the latest opinion is that chromium picolinate is safe as a supplement. Still, a consultation with the doctor before taking it is necessary if you are suffering from diabetes.

Conclusion:

Chromium is an essential trace mineral best known for its role as an insulin co-factor. Chromium picolinate is a trivalent chromium compound that is safe for the human body. The benefit of chromium picolinate lies in the maintenance of healthy glucose and carbohydrate metabolism and the reduction of insulin resistance. Therefore, it is a safe dietary supplement choice for diabetics and prediabetic patients.