Chromium picolinate: how to take for weight loss, instructions, side effects

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.

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.

Instructions

Each drug comes with instructions on how to take it and in what quantities:

• It is recommended to drink 2 capsules and tablets. twice a day;
• Picolinate drops - up to 20 drops twice a day.

General points for all chromium-containing drugs:

• the maximum daily dosage is 200 mcg, but usually 100-150 is enough;
• consume during meals;
• drink with a small amount of water;
• The duration of the course is from 1 week to 1 month, depending on the timing of weight loss.

A special point is compatibility with other medications. The following means contribute to its active removal from the body:

• antacids;
• corticosteroids;
• H2 blockers (Cimetidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine, Ranitidine);
• proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole).

The following drugs have the opposite effect and increase its absorption into the blood:

• beta blockers (Atenolol, Propranolol);
• insulin;
• nicotine;
• anti-inflammatory nonsteroids (NSAIDs);
• prostaglandin inhibitors (Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Piroxicam, Aspirin).

Daily requirement

Different schools of biochemists determine different daily levels of Cr. But most often, scientists call 0.2-0.25 mg of the substance per day a safe dose of chromium for an adult. No more than 25-35 mcg of microelement per day is recommended for people leading a sedentary lifestyle. Athletes, on the contrary, should increase the dose to about 200 mcg daily.

It is important to say that Cr enters the human body not only with food, but also through the air. In addition, no more than 1 percent of the pure substance is absorbed from food. Almost 30% of the element is absorbed if its source is organic compounds that contain this trace element. As we age, the body's ability to absorb chromium weakens.

The substance obtained from the air is also not completely absorbed - no more than 25 percent, the rest is excreted during exhalation. Meanwhile, prolonged stay in rooms with high concentrations of chromium (in production) can cause dysfunction of the respiratory organs.

special instructions

Before using dietary supplements, you should familiarize yourself with the following special recommendations:

1. Despite the fact that chromium picolinate drops are not a medicine, they are not recommended to be taken independently without a prescription from a specialist.
2. Before use, the bottle with the solution must be shaken. One bottle is designed for 25 days of use.
3. The dietary supplement does not affect the functioning of the brain and other structures of the nervous system.
4. For persons over 65 years of age, the dietary supplement is prescribed with caution. Additional consultation is required.

Read more Zirtec for children and adults against allergies

There is no information on possible drug interactions of chromium picolinate with other drugs/substances.

Additional Information

Chromium Picolinate drops for weight loss are available from pharmacies without a prescription. The manufacturer recommends storing the bottle of solution in the original package at a temperature not exceeding 20°C. Freezing the product or storing it in the refrigerator is prohibited. Keep away from sunlight, children and pets. Shelf life – 3 years from the date of manufacture.

You can buy a dietary supplement at any pharmacy at a low price. The average cost in Russia of a 50 ml bottle of chromium picolinate drops is 230 rubles. The average price in Moscow is 300 rubles.

Sources[edit | edit code]

1. Davidson JR, Abraham K, Connor KM, McLeod MN (2003). "Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial." Biological Psychiatry 53(3):261–264.
2. Stearns D. M. (2000). “Is chromium a trace essential metal?”
3. Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR (September 2005). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving." J Psychiatr Pract 11(5):302–14.
4. . Evans 1989
5. Vincent JB; Sack, D. A.; Roffman, M; Finch, M; Komorowski, J. R. (2003). "The potential value and toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight loss agent and muscle development agent." Sports Medicine 33(3):213–230.
6. Risk assessment: Chromium Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, 2003
7. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101209113328/https://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/dec/chromiumupdate
8. https://fb.ru/article/31072/pikolinat-hroma—mejdu-vredom-i-polzoy

Method of action

The drug can be prescribed by doctors, especially to people over 40 years of age who find it difficult to perform heavy physical activity and cannot cope with their diet.

• Reduces hunger by removing cholesterol, toxins and waste.
• Improves strength capacity by promoting muscle building.
• Preserves muscle fibers, while accelerating lipid metabolism and destroying fat deposits.
• “Converts” fats into energy if you engage in sports and strength exercises.
• Improves the permeability of blood vessels, which helps reduce the risk of blood clots.

Picolinic acid promotes better absorption of chromium, transporting the trace element to all human organs. Users noted that even after finishing the course of taking the supplement, they felt its effects. In particular, the body’s level of protection against viruses increased, and the desire to constantly eat something sweet disappeared.

TOP 48 products with chromium

Among food sources of chromium, several groups can be distinguished.

Table 2: Food Sources of Chromium

Release form

Chromium preparations are manufactured in different release forms:

• in capsule form – (highly digestible 60-90%)
• in tablets – Yeast-free chromium picolinate; (average digestible up to 40%)
• in drops or syrup (low-absorbable up to 25%)

All chromium preparations are dietary supplements, and in terms of biological properties they are analogues of each other.

Prices

The cost of such drugs depends on the form of release, the number of pills in the bottle, as well as the manufacturer. The most expensive - over 2,000 rubles - are dietary supplements made in the USA; Russian analogues can be purchased at a price of 160 rubles.

Where can I buy

The most reliable way to purchase a high-quality dietary supplement is to order it on official website or in an online pharmacy. In regular pharmacies it is not always available and the cost increases by at least 30%.

Reviews

For our readers, we analyzed and collected reviews from reputable resources and qualified specialists. These are mainly positive assessments of the effectiveness of the drug. Unfortunately or fortunately, Russian chromium producers are not popular on the Internet; preference is given to American producers, especially Reglukol, not only women are happy with them, but also men who have gained weight and decided to get off carbohydrate addiction.

Video

In the video below, nutritionist Alexey Kovalkov talks very clearly about the benefits of chromium preparations for the body and how to use them.

Nutritionist Kovalkov about chromium and types of carbohydrate addiction

And for the most patient, I will share my coupon 2888 , it gives a 5% discount on your order.

Friends, if you still have questions about chromium picolinate and what it is, write in the comments below and I will be happy to answer you.

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