Been on-line to the "Everyday Health" website and they published this article earlier in 2016.
"Chromium picolinate is a chemical compound that's sometimes used as an alternative therapy or as a nutritional supplement.
However, no studies or medical research have proven any significant benefit from using chromium picolinate.
Some people use chromium picolinate in an attempt to treat chromium deficiency, control blood sugar, improve
depression in people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), lower
cholesterol, or to aid in weight loss.
But any alleged benefit from using chromium picolinate is largely anecdotal and not supported by scientific data.
Chromium picolinate is available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription; it's also found in many multivitamin supplements.
Chromium is a mineral that's known as an "essential trace element" because only very small amounts of it are necessary for human health.
Many foods have small amounts of chromium. Meat, whole grains, and some fruits and vegetables are the best sources.
Chromium picolinate works with
insulin in the body to metabolize
carbohydrates. It's made by combining chromium with picolinic acid. The acid helps the body absorb chromium.
Chromium Picolinate Warnings
You should not use chromium picolinate as a substitute for any treatment prescribed by your doctor.
While the supplement is used by some people to manage different conditions, there's little or no evidence for its effectiveness.
For example, a 2011 study published in the journal
Endocrine Practice found that chromium picolinate use had no effect on glucose or insulin concentrations, insulin sensitivity, or
cholesterol levels among people at risk of
type 2 diabetes.
Similarly, an analysis of several medical studies (published in the journal
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition) reviewing the use of chromium picolinate to increase lean muscle mass found no significant benefit.
Always talk to your doctor before taking chromium picolinate.
The supplement may cause harm to you if you have:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Diabetes (especially if you use insulin)
- An allergy to leather
- Mental illness
- A thyroid disorder
You also may not be able to use chromium picolinate if you take steroid medications such as
prednisone."