The human body needs food to function properly, and one of the benefits of Chromium Picolinate is that it helps the body to process food more efficiently.
What is Chromium Picolinate?
Chromium Picolinate is a nutritional supplement that is available over the counter. It helps the cells in the body process glucose more efficiently. Glucose provides the main source of food for the body's cells.
When we eat, the food is broken down into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream through the small intestine. Once the glucose enters the bloodstream, it is combined with insulin (produced by the pancreas) and distributed to the muscles and the brain.
The amount of Chromium Picolinate in the body can be measured by analyzing a person's blood and hair. This testing is difficult to conduct, and a recommended level of Chromium Picolinate has not been set.
Dietary Sources of Chromium Picolinate
You can get Chromium Picolinate from the foods you eat, too. Here are some dietary sources of Chromium Picolinate:
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Grape juice
- Beef
- Potatoes
- Red wine
- Whole grains
- Orange juice
The Benefits of Chromium Picolinate
Other reported benefits of Chromium Picolinate include:
- Decreased Appetite
Chromium Picolinate is used by people who want to suppress their appetite and control food cravings. Older people may be interested in using this product, since the body produces less Chromium as we age.
Controlling your appetite may result in weight loss, and many people use Chromium for this purpose. This supplement is used to give your metabolism a boost so that you can burn calories more effectively. Chromium may be used to give your weight-loss efforts a head start or to start losing weight when you have reached a plateau.
- Reduced Insulin Resistance
The results of some studies indicate that taking Chromium Picolinate may help to lower blood sugar levels in the body. This dietary supplement may be used to help control Type 2 diabetes.
It's interesting to note that the supplement didn't reduce blood sugar levels in individuals who were already at a normal level. The benefit was seen in people with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
Researchers have found that the individual's genetic makeup determines whether Chromium Picolinate will have an effect on their blood sugar levels, which means this treatment option will not be effective for everyone. Any benefits from taking the supplement will take several weeks to take effect.
- Lowers High Cholesterol
Chromium Picolinate may also be an effective treatment for high cholesterol. The results of a study involving humans indicated that taking the supplement actually lowered triglyceride levels in the body. Other types of cholesterol were not affected, however.
Other human studies involving participants with normal and high cholesterol levels have found that Chromium brought overall cholesterol levels down. Levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which is known as "bad" cholesterol went down. In addition, the "good cholesterol" in the blood increased. The increase in the bloodstream's high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was found even in studies where the participants were men who were taking beta blockers (a medication used to treat high blood pressure).
- Heart Disease Prevention
Chromium Picolinate levels have also been linked to heart disease. The lower the Chromium levels, the greater the risk of developing this disorder. This risk is independent of whether the person is overweight or has diabetes.
These results indicate that there can be distinct benefits to Chromium Picolinate. Keep in mind that you can get this substance from the foods you eat, as well as in the form of a dietary supplement.
Following a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is one of the keys to enjoying good health, whether you decide to add supplements or not.
