| How was Chromium Picolinate discovered?
Chromium Picolinate was originally developed by the USDA as a nutritional
supplement. Chromium was first discovered as an essential trace element in 1955,
but chromium's main role in humans was not found until the 1970s. Chromium is
a trace metal that must be consumed through food or supplementation. Picolinic
acid is produced in the human body for the purpose of improving the cellular uptake
of trace metal ions. Chromium Picolinate is a naturally occurring metabolite composed
of the trace minerals chromium and picolinate. How
does Chromium Picolinate work? Chromium
works with insulin to assist the body in utilizing sugar and metabolizing fat;
it helps bring protein to where the body needs it. Chromium picolinate improves
your metabolism by enhancing impaired insulin function. Metabolism is the rate/effectiveness
at which your body burns calories for use as energy. Your body secretes chromium
after you eat to move glucose through your blood stream and into your cells. Glucose
from food is one of the body's most important energy sources. If you do not get
enough chromium, your insulin cannot perform as efficiently as possible. Instead
of moving glucose into your cells to be burned for energy, it will remain in your
blood stream and is most likely to be stored as fat. The body’s cells use glucose
as fuel to perform many essential functions, like metabolism and muscle building.
What are the Pro's of Chromium Picolinate?
This supplement has many benefits within the human body. Improving impaired insulin
functions, chromium improves your metabolism with burning fat. It is an essential
part of controlling blood sugar levels, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes
and hypoglycemia. Chromium Picolinate also plays a role in regulating blood cholesterol
levels. It has been shown that low chromium levels increase the risk of heart
disease. By lowering serum glucose levels it can provide a anti-aging effect.
Along with the many positives listed, it also may help with healthy vision and
fighting glaucoma. Taking this supplement simply replaces a naturally occurring
mineral that many people are deficient with. What
are the Con's of Chromium Picolinate? There
have been no substantial side effects from this supplement. The exception being
that taking high amounts of Chromium Picolinate may actually hurt the process
of insulin. People sensitive to blood sugar levels can sometimes become dizzy.
People sensitive to blood sugar levels should have physician approval. |