What is it?

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in our bodies' normal carbohydrate metabolism—a process of converting the foods we eat into sugars. Chromium aids insulin, a natural hormone that's released in response to eating carbohydrates, in properly "shuttling" these sugars into cells to be stored as energy. In the past year, it's been noted that nearly 25 million Americans may be marginally deficient in chromium, which could be a leading contributor to the recent development of the insulin-resistance (diabetes), obesity, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) epidemic that's plaguing the U.S. It's for these reasons, chromium has become a popular supplemental aid in helping to maintain and/or improve bodyweight.

How it works

Although it's not clear exactly "how" chromium helps regulate blood sugar, a few theories are worth exploring. One suggests chromium binds both to insulin and the cell to use or attract blood sugar more efficiently. In other words, chromium possibly helps insulin "do its job," sort of as an insulin-potentiator, and helps it properly store these sugars as "reserved energy."

Another theory suggests chromium may decrease the rate of extraction of insulin and improve glucose tolerance. Which means it helps allow insulin and glucose to work together more efficiently. It was found in studies that glucose tolerance could be restored in chromium-deficient patients once they were given a diet rich in chromium.

What does the science say?

Chromium (usually found in the form of chromium picolinate) has earned somewhat of an anecdotal reputation to help alter bodyfat, which has left many skeptics and aroused some controversy. Yet, two original studies have in fact confirmed chomium's potential to have significant effects on body composition. Using a newly patented form of niancin-bound chromium, called ChromeMate®, it was found to increase fat loss, reduce weight, and spare lean body mass in obese women.

In one placebo-controlled study, researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center showed that overweight women consuming 600 mcg of chromium (ChromeMate) for eight weeks experienced a significant loss of bodyfat while sparing muscle (lean body mass) compared with a prior placebo period of the same duration. In another study, researchers found that young obese women consuming 400 mcg of chromium as chromium nicotinate (ChromeMate) per day in combination with exercise experienced significant weight loss over an eight-week study period. In contrast, subjects who consumed chromium picolinate and did not exercise experienced significant weight gain during the study period.

How to take it

Most research suggests daily amounts of chromium range between 400 and 600 mcg, depending on the needs of the user. To obtain the full benefits, chromium should be taken with meals (such as at breakfast and/or dinner), especially with carbohydrate-containing foods.

Important Tip: Look for chromium in the form of ChromeMate® (a patented, niacin-bound chromium), the only form proven to effectively promote fat loss.