Swanson

Chromium Picolinate

• Facilitates metabolism of fats and proteins
• Limits appetite for carbohydrates
• Lowers the risk of developing diabetes
• Increases the level of insulin sensitivity
• Regulates sugar level in blood
• Inhibits the attacks of ravenous appetite
• Improves lipid parameters
• Inhibits the process of protein glycation
• Conduces reduction of body mass
• Organic form of chromium
• Perfectly assimilable
• Optimal dose

Swanson, Chromium Picolinate is a dietary supplement in the composition of which there is chromium in the best assimilable form. Each capsule contains 200 mcg of picolinate – a compound produced as a result of combining chromium and picolinic acid. Such a combination guarantees that chromium will be immediately assimilated and properly utilized in the system.

The preparation is recommended as chromium deficit prophylaxis. Chromium supplementation finds its application in the therapy of insulin-resistance, problems with glucose tolerance and in the states of increased level of cholesterol in blood. It also may be used by people aiming at safe weight loss or body recomposition – decreasing fatty tissue level and increasing muscle mass.

Chromium belongs to the group of trace elements. It plays a range of various functions in the organism – it is an important element of RNA, responsible for the stabilization of its structure, it forms the compound called Glucose Tolerance Factor which takes part in the transformations of proteins and lipids and it conditions proper metabolism of carbohydrates.

Chromium is not stored in the organism – it is quickly eliminated with urine. The need for this element increases during pregnancy, in the periods of chronic stress, during intensive psychical effort and after extensive injuries. Moreover, people who eat a lot of carbohydrates are especially prone to chromium deficits.

The influence of chromium on glucose-insulin balance
Chromium is essential for the proper metabolism of glucose and optimal activity of insulin. It is the component of the so-called Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), which strengthens insulin signal and by increasing sensitivity of cells to insulin, it facilitates glucose transport to their interiors.

The mechanism of its activity is complex and includes a range of complicates biochemical reactions, dependent on the presence of chromium – i.a. activation of tyrosine kinase, lowering the concentration of tyrosine phosphatase (maintaining the balance between them is one of the main factors in diabetes pathogenesis) and stimulation of membrane glucose transporter in insulin-dependent cells.

Chromium deficit impairs these processes, which leads to lowering sensitivity of tissues to insulin’s activity. As a consequence, the concentration of sugar in the system rises as well as the burden of the pancreas with intensive insulin production. This state most often leads to the development of diabetes type 2.

Interestingly, chromium also prevents the states of hypoglycemia, i.e. excessive drop of sugar level in blood. In the studies lasting for 3 months on people with hypoglycemia it was proven that supplementing 200 mg of chromium a day balanced the level of glucose in blood and contributed to eliminating the symptoms typical to hypoglycemia (irritation, headache, shaky hands).

The influence of chromium on lipid balance
Chromium contributes to the improvement of lipid parameters. It lowers the level of cholesterol, especially its unbeneficial LDL fraction, blamed for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. It also decreases the concentration of triglycerides. It was proven in a few studies that chromium supplementation among people with considerable deficits of this element also resulted in increasing the concentration of desirable LDL cholesterol fractions. The improvement of HDL in relation to LDL is essential in the prophylaxis of heart and circulatory diseases.

Chromium for the improvement of body composition parameters
Chromium is a frequent component of slimming supplements. When used solo or in combination with other substances, it has a considerable influence on body mass and composition. It helps to reduce extra kilograms and supports the development of lean body mass.

Mainly insulin is responsible for these effects – it is stimulated by chromium. Insulin limits the activity of catabolic enzymes, intensifies the activity of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and facilitates translocation of glucose and amino acids to muscle cells. It is therefore logical that chromium, by the influence on insulin activity, demonstrates anabolic properties and contributes to the growth of muscle mass and fatty tissue reduction.

The effectiveness of chromium in this respect was confirmed by clinical research. In one of the studies it was proven that people taking chromium (200 mcg) for 10 weeks, after ending the therapy enjoyed muscle mass growth by around 0,7 kg. In another study it was proven that using chromium picolinate in combination with physical effort in women with excess weight led to considerable decrease of fatty tissue level and the improvement of glucose tolerance.

Chromium and protein glycation
Facilitating carbohydrate metabolism thanks to using chromium has yet another important, usually ignored aspect, which is glycation. Chromium is an important factor inhibiting glycation. Thanks to the improvement of sugar metabolism, it limits the risk of glucose surplus in the organism and decreases the exposure of cells to excessive glucose concentration.

Excessively high level of glucose in the system stimulates protein glycation. As a result of this process, glucose cells bind to free protein amino groups and degrade their structures. Glycation weakens the structure of collagen – the main building block in the organism and accelerates aging of all tissues and organs of the body. By increasing the supply of chromium, these processes may be prevented.

Summing up, Chromium Picolinate is a universal supplement, which by supplementing chromium level improves the functioning of the organism at many levels and additionally positively influences the silhouette. When used as prophylaxis, it prevents diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases.