Do Chromium Supplements Really Promote Weight Loss?
From this recent study published in the journal, Nutrition, chromium picolinate was ineffective at promoting weight loss.
Oddly, this is a common supplement found in several commercial dietary supplement products intended to promote just that. Some proponents have suggested that chromium helps to regulate insulin levels and would therefore be useful for helping people achieve weight loss.
The results of this recent study suggest that you should save your money and buy a different product such as green coffee bean extract or raspberry ketone.
For even less money, research suggests that simply consuming green tea may help promote significant weight reduction.
Study Objective:
“OBJECTIVE: This study tested the hypothesis that supplementation of chromium picolinate (CrPic), 200 microg Cr/d, compared with an equivalent amount of picolinic acid (1720 microg) in CrPic and placebo, decreases body weight, alters body composition, and reduces iron status of women fed diets of constant energy and nutrients.”
- Dose of chromium picolinate used: 200 microgram/day–in women.
Study Conclusions:
“Under conditions of controlled energy intake, CrPic supplementation of women did not independently influence body weight or composition or iron status. Thus, claims that supplementation of 200 microg of Cr as CrPic promotes weight loss and body composition changes are not supported.”
- Supplementation with chromium picolinate did not influence body weight or composition.
Source:
- Lukaski HC, Siders WA, Penland JG. Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron status. Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23(3):187-95. Epub 2007 Feb 8.
