Chromium Weight Loss
Because of the excessive claims that chromium “could melt fat away…and build Arnold-esque physiques in very little time,” the Federal Trade Commission restricted advertising claims for this mineral in 1997. Nevertheless, the claims that chromium supports weight loss are still persistent today.
So what is the evidence that chromium aids weight loss? One questionable study reported that women taking 600 mcg of niacin-bound chromium for two months did not lose weight on the scale – but discovered their dress sizes were getting smaller.
In his small study, women taking this form of chromium lost 84 percent fat and 16 percent muscle, compared to the placebo group who lost 92 percent muscle and 8 percent fat. These results seem too good to be true to be real.
One recent review of randomized, controlled clinical trials did find that chromium picolinate supplements aided weight loss when compared to placebos, but differences were insignificant. [via: Taste for Life]
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07-04-08 at 9:21 am
I've used chromium picolinate to help me lose 75 pounds (I've kept off 60 and since 11/06 at the dose of 600 mcg/day (200 mcg, 3x) and I can attest it does help.
As far as I can tell with all my research, the reason it works is that it lowers blood glucose levels, which helps the dieter to avoid insulin spikes. When the insulin spikes, the body sends a signal to the brain inducing cravings. By taking chrominum picolinate and spreading it throughout the day, it helps prevent the spikes - especially when you've eaten too many processed carbs (which any small amount sets off the craving mechanism by flooding the blood stream with insulin).
Between this and cooking more with cinnamon as well as exercise and diet (there's no magic bullet), I've been able to get healthy.
07-15-08 at 6:39 pm
What does cinnamon do?