Chromium picolinate is not a drug. It belongs to the group of dietary supplements with a general strengthening effect. The drug stimulates the activity of insulin, which is produced by the body after eating. Against this background, glucose levels are regulated and fat metabolism improves.
Indications for use
Chromium picolinate helps to normalize and maintain a stable level of sugar in the blood, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, and normalizes carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.
The use of chromium picolinate helps regulate your appetite and, in particular, cravings for sweet foods, and helps strengthen the muscular system. In patients with arterial hypertension and vegetative-vascular dystonia, dietary supplements help normalize blood pressure.
According to the instructions, chromium picolinate has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, reduces the risk of obesity, promotes faster recovery after intense physical activity, activates the immune system and the functional activity of the brain.
Chromium is considered to be a factor in longevity. This is due to its positive effect on the function of the endogenous hormone of youth dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the ability to protect proteins (including connective tissue proteins) from glycolysis. If a person's insulin levels are elevated, the effect of DHEA produced by the body is inhibited. As a result, in people who are addicted to sweets, the body begins to show a tendency towards faster aging.
The older a person is, the less DHEA is produced in his body, so older people are recommended to periodically introduce chromium picolinate into their diet, which contains the mineral in a biologically active form - it helps maintain normal muscle tone, immune system activity and basic brain functions .
In the course of research, it was found that the use of chromium picolinate made it possible to prolong the life of experimental animals and slow down the process of formation of glycosylated proteins, which cause aging of the body.
There is also a lot of scientific evidence showing that chromium actually improves the functioning of insulin and reduces the concentration of sugar in the blood. This allows us to conclude that with a sufficient intake of this mineral in the body, it is possible not only to prolong life, but also to significantly improve its quality and make it more energetic.
Chromium picolinate helps increase overall muscle mass in the body (has an anabolic effect), which in turn accelerates metabolism and burns excess fat. Thus, for a person on a low-calorie diet, chromium helps avoid muscle loss.
For people who actively use physical activity to lose weight, it is equally important to take a sufficient amount of chromium. This is due to the fact that intense training stimulates an increased release of chromium, which increases the body's need for this trace element. In addition, people losing weight should remember that chromium helps burn calories during physical activity and makes it easier to lose weight.
Considering the above, the use of chromium picolinate as a dietary supplement is advisable for athletes, children, as well as people who have symptoms of chromium deficiency, including signs inherent in diabetes mellitus, increased appetite, excessive weight gain, unmotivated fatigue, increased anxiety, a feeling of fear, decreased fertilizing ability of sperm. Capsules can improve the clinical situation with diabetes, depression, acute infectious diseases, obesity, chronic ulcers, polyneuropathy, hypotension, acne. For preventive purposes, chromium picolinate is recommended to be taken for diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
According to the instructions, chromium picolinate is intended for use:
- In bodybuilding (as a supplement to sports nutrition and physical activity);
- For non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
- For weight correction in alimentary obesity.
An important feature of the dietary supplement is that it has a cumulative effect.
Peculiarities
Chromium picolinate is an organic compound. It contains chromium with three amino acid molecules. This form of the substance is characterized by high digestibility. At the same time, chromium in such a compound fully fulfills its functions.
First of all, the substance stimulates insulin activity. This allows you to naturally regulate your blood sugar levels. When chromium enters the body, carbohydrate metabolism improves, which reduces cravings for sweets. Fat metabolism also accelerates.
Chromium has a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland. This allows you to normalize the production of thyroid hormones. Against this background, stress resistance increases and the overall mood improves.
The positive effect of chromium on the functioning of the autonomic nervous system has been proven. When taking the drug, the risks of developing bulimia attacks, which are associated with overeating, are minimized. The likelihood of causeless stomach pain and feelings of internal anxiety is reduced.
Why does the body need chromium?
The mineral supports the production of trypsin, the breakdown and synthesis of proteins, digestive enzymes, helps increase the sensitivity of internal organ tissue cells to glucose, and normalizes blood sugar levels. Chromium normalizes osteosynthesis processes, reduces the risk of osteoporosis in older people and those suffering from severe systemic diseases. In addition, it ensures the synthesis of testosterone, stimulates the production of “good” high-density cholesterol, prevents the production of low-density cholesterol, and helps prevent the deposition of fatty plaques in blood vessels. Without chromium, the full functioning of the cardiovascular system, nutrition of muscle tissue, and the retina of the eyes are impossible.
Microelement deficiency develops slowly and rarely manifests itself with any clear symptoms. But its consequences are much more serious than at first glance:
- growth retardation;
- sleep disorders;
- muscle cramps;
- rapid degeneration of the visual organs;
- insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- deterioration of libido and reproductive function in men;
- increased bone fragility;
- joint destruction.
The risk of microelement deficiency increases with age, with physical activity, poor nutrition, frequent infectious diseases, and exposure to chemical toxins on the body.
A healthy diet rich in sea fish, offal, poultry, beef, nuts, egg dishes, and dairy drinks helps meet your chromium needs. The mineral is also found in cocoa, chocolate, and green tea. But to get a sufficient dose of chromium - about 50 mcg. It takes a lot of healthy food to eat per day. This is not always possible; the menu needs to be supplemented with special products containing the mineral. Successful absorption is facilitated by its chelated forms - similar to natural ones.
Use for weight loss
Chromium picolinate is used very often for weight loss. This is explained by the fact that the active component of the dietary supplement is involved in biochemical processes that affect metabolism. Chromium activates the activity of insulin, which is produced when eating, and transports glucose to cells.
When taking chromium picolinate, appetite is significantly reduced. When using it, you quickly feel full when eating. If the amount of chromium in the body corresponds to the norm, then carbohydrate metabolism is normalized and the digestive system functions correctly. This eliminates the deposition of fats in tissues, which leads to weight gain.
An important feature of chromium picolinate is that when taken, weight loss is not associated with the destruction of muscle tissue. It is recommended to take this dietary supplement during physical activity. Against this background, fats are converted into energy. Body weight decreases gradually due to normalization of carbohydrate metabolism and redistribution of lipid reserves. The duration of a course of taking chromium picolinate for the purpose of losing weight is 2-3 months. This is the period that allows you to achieve the maximum cumulative effect. After a month's break, taking the drug can be repeated.
Since chromium picolinate is not a drug, it can be purchased without a prescription. But it is important to consult a doctor before taking a dietary supplement to determine the presence of indications and contraindications. It is also necessary to carefully study the instructions for use. It is important to avoid combining the product with alcohol, as this significantly reduces its effectiveness.
Indications
Chromium picolinate, the instructions for use indicate this, has a wide range of indications. The effectiveness of the drug has been confirmed in practice. The drug should be taken in the dosage specified in the instructions for use, unless there are other medical recommendations.
The dietary supplement is recommended to be used as an additional source of chromium to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which develops due to insulin resistance.
Taking the drug will reduce the risk of nutritional obesity, which occurs with constant overeating. Chromium picolinate is prescribed for confirmation of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and for weight correction. The product is indicated for the following purposes:
- To normalize glucose tolerance.
- To enhance immunity.
- To improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Chromium picolinate is prescribed for chronic insomnia, frequent headaches, and fatigue.
Features of the composition and form of the drug Solgar Chromium Picolinate
A biologically active product from the American manufacturer of the Solgar line contains chromium picolinate, a compound that is completely absorbed in the body and neutralizes the effects of deficiency. The drug is available in the form of capsules for oral administration:
- white, oblong oval in shape with a body and a lid, in a hard gelatin shell with powder contents;
- the dose of chromium picolinate in one capsule is 200 mcg, this is enough to satisfy 4 times the daily requirement;
- auxiliary components: cellulose, magnesium salts.
Capsules are packaged in 90 pieces in brown glass bottles with metal screw caps. The packaging labels contain the Solgar brand name, name, basic information about the composition and recommendations for use.
Contraindications and negative reactions
An absolute contraindication is individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Dietary supplements should be used with caution when diagnosing liver and kidney diseases.
Do not take this product before reaching the age of 16 years. Also contraindicated during pregnancy. Caution when using the product should be exercised by people with deviations in body weight from the norm. This is due to the fact that the dietary supplement reduces appetite.
Chromium picolinate, the instructions for use indicate this, does not cause negative reactions in the body, provided the permissible dosages are observed. Only with hypersensitivity to the active substance are unpleasant dyspeptic symptoms and allergic skin reactions observed. This is most often expressed in a feeling of nausea and the appearance of an itchy rash on the skin. Sometimes, when taking the drug, headaches and dizziness were noted, and in severe cases, with prolonged use of the drug, a gag reflex occurred.
An overdose of the drug is dangerous. Large doses may impair the functioning of the liver and kidneys. A symptom of an overdose is disruption of the digestive system. In this case, the dosage should be reduced, but if the unpleasant symptoms do not disappear, then you should stop taking the drug and consult a doctor. Excess chromium in the body can result in insomnia and depression.
