Chromium Picolinate Review

 

Chromium Picolinate is a compound of chromium, a naturally occurring mineral (found in trace amounts in foods like red meat and fish) and picolinic acid, a binding compound commonly used in nutritional supplements. The chromium is the key here, as it plays a role in helping the body process insulin. Insulin, of course, is a hormone secreted after eating - and secreted in even greater amounts after eating heavy amounts of carbohydrates. Though it is not supported by scientific evidence, many (Atkins, etc.) believe that slowed or stalled insulin processing leads to increased fat storage, and hence, weight gain.

Chromium Picolinate is heavily marketed as a weight loss aid, and is an ingredient in literally hundreds of over the counter diet pills and supplements. The theory behind it is that a heavy dose of it will stimulate insulin processing - which breaks down glucose and fat. The problem is, science has not been able to show any link between weight loss and consumption of chromium picolinate.

A 1997 study of obese women, all of whom were exercising in the study, found that the addition of chromium picolinate to the diet did not produce any significant weight loss compared to the supplement-free control group. Furthermore, another study found that taking chromium picolinate supplements without exercising actually produced weight gain in the participants. Bottom line: scientific evidence indicates that chromium picolinate is not an effective aid to weight loss, and may in fact even be counterproductive. Enough said.

The Chromium Picolinate Weight Loss Scam