Chromium Picolinate and Weight Loss

Chromium Picolinate is a very inexpensive supplement that some individuals take to help them lose weight.  It can be very effective as a weight loss aid. It works by making the insulin much more efficient in the body. There are two parts to the supplement. One is picoliante acid and the other is chromium. Chromium is a mineral that is found in many of the foods that we eat everyday, such as fish, meat, chicken and whole-grain breads.  

 

It is recommended that every person consumes a certain amount of chromium each day. The FDA recommends that each person eat 130/mc/g.  Chromium helps to move the blood glucose through the cell membranes. The Picolinate acid helps the body absorb the chromium.  Taken together, they can help individuals lose weight and subsequently, have become extremely popular in weight loss circles.

 

Chromium has several major benefits as it relates to helping individuals lose weight.  It supports the metabolism allowing it to run more efficiently and can also aid in decreasing body fat. Chromium also works as an appetite suppressant and some individuals claim that it can lower cravings for sweets.  There are other known benefits for chromium picolinate that have nothing to do with weight loss but those are beyond the scope of this article. Essentially, the major benefits as it relates to weight loss, are an increased metabolism, appetite suppression and perhaps the ability to burn fat.

 

The best way to consume chromium is through food. However, there are supplements that you can purchase very cheaply at your local grocery or drugstore if you find that you are not getting enough through your diet. Chromium is found in seafood, whole-grains, different types of nuts, broccoli, peanut butter and potatoes.

 

There is some debate on how and why chromium works to help individuals lose weight. Some persons believe that it improves the efficiency of insulin which causes serotonin to be created in greater amounts. This helps individuals feel less hungry or suppresses the appetite.  Other camps believe that chromium works well in regulating fat production in the body and stops too much fat from being produced.  Even though the reasons why chromium works are in question, many people believe that it can be a great supplement for individuals that are looking to lose weight.  However, there are those that debate whether or not it really can help individuals burn fat and speed up the metabolism.

 

There are side effects to the consumption of the chromium picolinate supplement. Some which are very serious. There was a study performed by researchers at Fartmouth College. They found that in animals, chromium picolinate could cause damage and mutate the DNA. This was only found to be true when the animals were given both chromium and picolinate.   It is important to note this was just one study and the matter does require further study.  To be safe, it might be best to take chromium supplements alone.  It is also always a smart idea to talk with your doctor before taking any type of supplement to make sure that it is not going to negatively interact with any other medications that you are taking and that it is safe. Therefore, speak with your doctor before adding chromium picolinate to your supplement regimen.

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