
In terms of overall body health it seems that chromium does provide some positives, as it has been shown to improve blood glucose levels, blood insulin levels and lipid profiles.īut what about chromium picolinate’s effects on building muscle and burning fat? There is no question that chromium is a vital mineral in the process of building muscle and burning fat due to its effects on insulin, but the real question is in regards to additional supplementation of chromium picolinate.Īre there any real supplemental chromium picolinate benefits for bodybuilders and athletes? If your insulin levels are not functioning properly, your muscle gains and fat loss would be virtually non-existent.Ĭhromium ensures that insulin is doing its job properly, and is therefore a very important part of the muscle building equation by improving the uptake of glucose and amino acids into the cells. Insulin is a hormone heavily involved in the muscle building and fat burning processes because it is essentially responsible for all nutrient transport and growth throughout the body. It works by stimulating the activity of enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of glucose for use as energy.Ĭhromium is also critical to the proper production and function of insulin. However, the everyday dosage should not exceed 1200 mcgs, or else it may lead to liver or kidney diseases.Chromium is a biologically active trace mineral found in the human body, while picolinic acid is a substance that increases the absorption rate of chromium in the body.Ĭhromium picolinate is claimed to be a more absorbable form of chromium.Ĭhromium’s main role in the body is its involvement in the metabolism of carbohydrates. If the supplements are consumed with regular exercise and as a part of a calorie controlled diet, the results can be prominent. Many people use it as a dietary supplement that may help in inhibiting appetite and craving for food. This causes reduction of body fat percentage, reduction of catabolism, while muscle mass is increased. Chromium picolinate allows body fat to be used for this restoration process. But the fact is that chromium enhances the effect of insulin in the body, improving the uptake of glucose, thereby causing a better blood circulation and more stable blood sugar levels.Ī bigger uptake of this circulating glucose, forces the body to restore the same amount of glucose in the blood for energy needs. There are theories that the improved insulin efficiency causes an increase in the production of serotonin, which subsequently reduces appetite. It has been suggested that chromium somehow works to increase sensitivity of insulin receptors (Krzanowski, 1996). The exact mechanisms by which chromium improves this insulin efficiency are currently unclear.

Because of its properties, some scientists have cataloged chromium as “the medical miracle”. The chromium supplementation can prevent the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in people with insulin resistance. It helps the body to use insulin more effectively and maintain normal levels of sugar (glucose) in blood. This is where chromium picolinate is used. Studies show that a more optimized performance of this hormone accelerates weight loss in adults, regardless of physical activity. So to avoid this situation it’s important to try to keep insulin levels stable. Also the increase in body fat reduces insulin sensitivity, so obese people have difficulty losing weight. It’s what many call the “craving for sweets”. The high variation in the levels of insulin in the blood, usually resulting from high consumption of refined sugar and carbohydrates will lead to fat accumulation and the desire to eat more carbohydrates.

Insulin plays a key role in the process fat reduction and muscle gaining. The primary function of insulin is to regulate the metabolism of blood sugar, lipids (fat, cholesterol, etc.) and proteins.

The supplement helps insulin, which is responsible for the uptake of glucose circulating in the bloodstream. When used together with exercise and a calorie restricted diet, the final results can be very promising. Additionally Chromium picolinate has demonstrated an increase in muscle mass and loss of fat simultaneously. Chromium Picolinate is a dietary supplement that was found to be useful in inhibiting appetite and food cravings.
