Generic Name: Chromium picolinate for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency (chromium-picolinate)
Chromium picolinate for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency Reviews
"Despite a healthy lifestyle, that 'lean' look eluded me. I began taking 200 mcg of chromium picolinate a day, and my body leaned out. I was thrilled... until I noticed my hair coming out in clumps. I researched hair loss and found others experiencing hair loss too. I quit chromium picolinate, and my hair loss stopped. Despite researching chromium picolinate (CP) before using it, I'm aware of new information always coming to light about supplements. I then came across an article linking CP to possible memory loss down the road. Scary. I long for that lean look again but am not confident we know enough about the long-term effects of CP to start taking it again. I give CP 10 points for helping me attain that 'lean' look, but its side effects concern me enough to make me rate it only 5 overall. For people with obesity-related health issues, chromium picolinate could probably save their lives by helping them lose weight. If you lose weight on CP, perhaps consider lowering your dosage if you feel you need to keep taking it to keep the weight off."
"I started taking a chromium supplement because I suspected I was getting pretty close to being either pre-diabetic or type 2. I took it for 2 weeks, the main effects being a reduction in appetite, which was great. What was NOT GREAT was the constant dizziness and the sudden alarming increase of serotonin (I suspect) I had that caused me to sweat, get chills and goosebumps, made my hands tremble, and generally made me feel out of my mind for about 7 hours! I am only just starting to feel a bit better now. I take an antidepressant called fluoxetine (Prozac), and because chromium is known to increase serotonin sensitivity, I think that is what caused the reaction! There is no warning regarding this possible interaction with fluoxetine, so just be careful if you take antidepressants and use this supplement."
"After doing some research on CP, I decided to give it a try. I had low energy levels, and I do have anxiety. I started taking 1000 mg once a day in the morning, and about 3 weeks in, I noticed my energy increased and I had a suppressed appetite. I also noticed I wasn’t as depressed and actually felt motivated to go do things. I did notice some hair loss and started taking biotin pills in conjunction with CP. So far, so good, it’s been 2 months, and my mood is better. I also have been taking 1000 mg in the morning and 1000 mg before dinner."
"This stuff has been a life changer. I've had a problem with social anxiety most of my life, despite being a basically outgoing person. Took chromium picolinate to aid weight loss. Didn't lose weight, but noticed a drastic reduction in social anxiety. I am now much more able to deal calmly with stressful situations. I take 500 mg a day and really notice if I forget."
"I have tried taking CP several times throughout the years, and each time it makes me so hungry I feel like I am going to faint. It feels like I cannot consume enough food, no matter how much I eat. I know this is not a common reaction but I want to let others know it is possible."
"I have taken chromium picolinate three times in my life and each time I've had miraculous results. The last time I lost plenty of weight and since then, I no longer needed medication for hypertension."
"I was 318 pounds when I went through gastric sleeve surgery on 04/26/11 and lost 167 pounds. The chromium helped me to avoid sugar."
"Started taking chromium to stop my sugar cravings in the evening and noticed I actually stopped snacking/eating. I take 2 before my last meal and find I don't eat as much also."
More about chromium picolinate
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (23)
- Side effects
- Drug class: minerals and electrolytes
Patient resources
- Chromium picolinate drug information
Other brands
Cr-GTF, CRM
Professional resources
- Chromium product monographs
Related treatment guides
- Diabetes, Type 2
- Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency
