Chromium Picolinate is a popular nutritional supplement that combines chromium with picolinic acid to aid in absorption. While chromium is found in everyday foods, supplements are necessary due to low levels in modern diets. Clinical studies have investigated its potential uses, but few studies have been done on possible side effects of excess consumption.
Chromium Picolinate is a nutritional supplement that is created by combining chromium, a mineral, with picolinic acid. Picolinic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that aids in the absorption of nutrients, particularly minerals such as chromium. Combining the two-in-one supplement allows the body to absorb chromium more efficiently.
The human body needs small amounts of chromium. Small amounts of this naturally occurring mineral are found in foods eaten every day, such as meat, fish, poultry, or whole-grain breads. It is also found in brewer’s yeast, as well as some fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, and broccoli. Technically, given the small amount required by the body, it should be fairly easy to get your daily requirement for chromium through diet alone. However, food processing removes chromium and makes the modern diet generally low in this mineral.
Consequently, nutritional supplements have been developed to help prevent chromium deficiency. Chromium Picolinate, due to its easy absorption, has become one of the most popular nutritional supplements. On a daily basis, the body needs enough chromium to process carbohydrates and fats, as well as to respond to insulin. Based on its role in these basic bodily processes, other potential uses for chromium picolinate have evolved.
As an herbal supplement, clinical studies have been conducted on chromium picolinate to investigate its usefulness in helping to prevent heart disease, treat diabetes, promote weight loss, and improve mood. Whether it can serve as a natural alternative to steroids by increasing muscle mass and strength has also been investigated. Accumulating clinical evidence from the various studies has led to further questions about the effectiveness of using chromium picolinate for these purposes. Additional clinical studies of its effectiveness may be beneficial.
Few clinical research studies have been done on the possible side effects of consuming too much chromium picolinate. The studies that were done focused on taking chromium for a short period of a few weeks or months. No harmful effects of short-term daily consumption of chromium picolinate have been shown. Long-term studies have not been conducted on the potential risks of consuming chromium daily in excess of the small amount required by the body for its natural processes. Simply put, it is not known if large doses of chromium picolinate taken over a long period of time are safe.
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