chromium picolinate

Chromium is a mineral found in certain foods such as broccoli, potatoes, apples, and bananas. It is also often sold as an herbal supplement, not to mention that it is used in alternative medicine to treat chromium deficiency. As a matter of fact, deficiency of this mineral in humans is rather rare, considering the human body needs only trace amounts of it. According to drugs.com, Chromium picolinate “works together with insulin produced by the pancreas to metabolize carbohydrates”. For this reason, it has also been used as an aid to “controlling blood sugar in people with diabetes or prediabetes, to lower cholesterol, and as a weight-loss supplement”. Bear in mind that not all of these uses have been approved by the FDA, which is why you should not use Chromium picolinate as an alternative for medication prescribed to you by your doctor. Remember that taking this supplement may not be safe for you if you have liver/kidney disease, diabetes, mental illness, or if you have an allergy to leather products. Also you should not use Chromium picolinate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without first consulting a doctor, considering it is still unknown if it could harm the fetus/ the nursing infant. As far as the common side effects are concerned, they include insomnia, headache, and mood swings. You must, however, stop using Chromium picolinate and call a doctor right away if you experience problems with your balance, liver problems, or if you start having a hard time concentrating.