Generic Name: chromium picolinate (KROME ee um pi KOE li nate)Brand Names: Cr-GTF, CRM
Chromium is a mineral found in certain foods. The body needs only trace amounts of chromium, and deficiency of this mineral in humans is rare.
Chromium picolinate works together with insulin produced by the pancreas to metabolize carbohydrates.
Chromium picolinate has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to lowering cholesterol or improving the body's use of glucose (sugar). It is also commonly touted as a weight-loss supplement that aids in reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle.
Not all uses for chromium picolinate have been approved by the FDA. Chromium picolinate should not be substituted for prescription medications.Chromium picolinate is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Chromium picolinate may also be used for other purposes not listed in chromium picolinate guide.
Chromium picolinate is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Use chromium picolinate as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your healthcare provider may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from chromium picolinate. The recommended dietary allowance of chromium increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
Your dose needs may change if you have an injury, illness, or infection, if you are pregnant, if you are under stress, or if you exercise more than usual.
Chromium picolinate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you use, especially insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth, steroid medications, nicotinic acid, stomach acid reducers, asthma or blood pressure medications, aspirin, or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
Before using chromium picolinate, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have:
liver disease;
diabetes;
cancer; or
a weak immune system.
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to take chromium picolinate, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Your healthcare provider may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from chromium picolinate. The recommended dietary allowance of chromium increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the National Academy of Sciences "Dietary Reference Intake" or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Dietary Reference Intake" (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances" or RDA) listings for more information.
Your dose needs may change if you have an injury, illness, or infection, if you are pregnant, if you are under stress, or if you exercise more than usual.
Chromium picolinate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Store chromium picolinate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.No information is available about missing a dose of chromium picolinate. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for instructions if you miss a dose.
An overdose of chromium picolinate is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
Avoid a diet that is high in sugar. It may interfere with the effectiveness of chromium picolinate.
Avoid using antacids without your healthcare provider's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your healthcare provider recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb chromium picolinate.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, and you may have none at all.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
steroid medications (prednisolone and others);
nicotinic acid (niacin, Niaspan, Niacor, Advicor, and others);
stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), or nizatidine (Axid);
proton-pump inhibitor acid reducers such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex);
a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren); or
aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with chromium picolinate. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.