Chromium

[ChasinAB]

Does anyone have any information on the mineral Chromium? I know that all of the weight loss systems use it, but I was going to take just a mineral supplement to help boost metabolism. Is there anything I should be concerned about?

[Laura B]

My husband did his MS thesis on Chromium use in exercising adults and he basically found that it does not do much for you as far as weight loss (his study was one of the biggest ever done on humans and used the highest doses allowed - higher than you can even buy in the store). If you are working out hard enough and eating sensibly, you are going to lose the weight. Chromium did not have a statistical impact on weight loss in his particular study. I realize that most weight loss formulas include chromium, but I would be very skeptical if I were you. The good news is, it isn't bad for you. In fact, it is very good for you if you have high cholesterol. His study showed a general decrease in cholesterol and a more significant drop in the bad cholesterol (I forget which is which between HDL and LDL).

He did a lot of reading about chromium during his research and it just does not hold up to the hype for weight loss. I'm sure you will find some reports that say it helps, some that say it doesn't. Either way, it won't really hurt you. So, it's up to you just be careful and don't take more than the recommended dose!

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 07-22-2000).]

[ChasinAB]

Thanks for the info Laura B. That's pretty much what my husband said from the get-go. Anyhow--back to the drawing board. I guess the good ol' fashioned way works best! Thanks.

[Christine]

While it doesn't burn fat, it may help you lose weight because it can help to lessen sugar cravings. (I think cinnamon does this also)

[lisad]

Guys--
I want to weigh in on this subject, because not only does chromium not help much with weight loss, there's some evidence that it's harmful--has been shown to damage DNA in animal studies. You can really boost your metabolism by weightlifting--that's probably the best way ...
Lisa Delaney, Cookinglight.com editor

[MrsReber]

I was taking chromate (not chromium) twice a day to help me lose weight. The nutritionist guy (don't know his title) at the gym told me that what it does is even out your sugar levels so that you don't get that horrible hunger at 3:30 every day- so, yes, it does help take away your cravings. I wasn't on it for that long, only a few months until I got used to eating better meals and lost the weight that I wanted to lose (along with exericising!!!) Yes, the only way to stay healthy and lose weight is to exercise and eat right- same thing they've been telling us for years!