Chromium kills cravings!
What is Chromium?
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that is found in small amounts in the typical diet. It is a common “no-brainer” ingredient found in many weight loss products. That’s because chromium plays an important part in insulin function – it helps insulin regulate blood sugar levels. It’s also involved in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.
While it is a worthwhile ingredient in any fat burner, some of the claims made by retailers touting its benefits are a little on the ridiculous side. This chromium review will separate fact from fiction.
For instance, you may have seen it said that chromium “helps build muscle and improve athletic performance.”
Studies show that chromium has no such effect (see Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Dec;30(12):1730-7, J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1995 Dec;35(4):273-80).
Does Chromium Help with Weight Loss?
Chromium’s effect on weight loss tends to be exaggerated too. This “analysis of randomized trials” on the effectiveness of chromium picolinate for weight loss (see Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003 Apr;27(4):522-9) concluded…
In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests a relatively small effect of chromium picolinate compared with placebo for reducing body weight. The clinical relevance of the effect is debatable and the lack of robustness means that the result has to be interpreted with caution.
This study (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000 May;55(5):M260-3) performed on elderly “non-obese” individuals found that…
“Chromium picolinate supplementation alone does not appear to improve insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, or change body composition in nonobese, healthy men and women of advanced age.”
Some studies are a little more positive. This one (see Diabetes Care. 2006 Aug;29(8):1826-32) indicated that…
“Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes.”
And this one, performed on individuals with atypical depression (see J Psychiatr Pract. 2005 Sep;11(5):302-14) found that chromium picolinate supplementation had a positive effect on carbohydrate craving and appetite regulation.
One study (see Diabetes Obes Metab. 1999 Nov;1(6):331-7) performed on African American women with niacin bound chromium (or chromium polynicotinate — a highly bio available source of chromium) found…
“Niacin-bound chromium given to modestly dieting-exercising African-American women caused a significant loss of fat and sparing of muscle compared to placebo.”
As you can see, the data validating chromium’s effects are inconsistent.
Chromium and Blood Sugar
In my opinion, chromium is most helpful for individuals who are insulin resistant, or hypoglycemic.
Studies show that chromium helps glucose response in people with hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes and hyperlipemia.
Basically, this means the body has difficulty dealing with vast amounts of blood sugar that are released quickly into the bloodstream as a result of the typical North American diet — one filled with refined sugars and flours, saturated fats, and highly processed foods.
This means the body is primed to store calories/glucose as fat.
One “sign” of hypoglycemia or insulin resistance is intense CRAVINGS for sweets as well as wildly vacillating energy levels.
Dealing with CRAVINGS!
There are two things you can do about this… first, eliminate junk foods, processed foods, and highly refined foods (including white breads, pastas, sweets etc.), and replace them with high fiber grains, beans, and vegetables.
I’d also recommend eating many small meals throughout the day, and always include a lean protein source (like chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef) with each meal. Many of these whole foods are good sources of chromium (along with other healthful nutrients).
The other is to implement a chromium supplement into your diet.
I personally find this very helpful for killing sugar cravings, although I now stack chromium and alpha lipoic acid together for a one-two punch to keep my blood sugar levels under control (recent blood work showed I am on the verge of being diabetic. Supplementing with chromium and alpha lipoic acid has brought my sugar levels down to the point that my doctor is no longer suggesting I take Metformin).
As far as what type of chromium, I’d opt for chromium polynicotinate. It’s probably your best bet. And it’s cheap too.
Chromium Side Effects
Don’t overdo it on the supplementation; even though it’s a healthful and generally safe nutrient, large amounts are not needed and are potentially risky (see, for example, this report of chromium toxicity).
Our chromium review conclusion
Chromium is a very useful supplement, especially if you have intense sugar cravings. But its effects – especially when it comes to weight loss and physical performance or muscle growth – have been largely exaggerated by the supplement industry.
It’s also a relatively cheap supplement. You can buy a month’s worth for about $10 at iHerb.com (whom we recommend!).
You’ll need to take 3 caps daily to duplicate the dose used in the study I referenced earlier.
There’s absolutely no need to pay more, so don’t get scammed into paying more for some proprietary blend of ingredients that uses chromium to justify a high price.
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