Types of Chromium

Dr. McLeod

I have just started taking chromium that I purchased from Bio-Recovery.  On the lable it says 1 capsule contains: chromium (chromemate) 200mcg & chromium (chelavite)  200mcg.  Both names listed in brackets show as registered trademarks. I’m really just wondering if this is similar or the same formulation as what you recomend.  I ordered this chromium before finding your info. I want to try the formulation that you’ve had the most success with and if this isn’t comparible, I’d rather go out and get what you suggest.

Thank you, C

Dear C

I am familiar with Chromemate which is chromium bound (chelated) to niacin.  I have given it to patients and it is an effective preparation.  However, the niacin causes some people to feel flushed and dizzy.

I am not familiar with chromium chelavite.

The preparation I have most confidence in is Iceland Health Chromax. You can purchase it a WalMart.

Thank you for your question. Please let me know the results

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Quick Response to Chromium

I wanted to let you know and others of my experience so far. I have been taking Chromium Picolinate for 5 days now and am in shock. I went off my antidepressant about 6 weeks ago and started to relapse. Guess what? Since yesterday morning I have felt great! I am having a bit of anxiety due to the disbelief of how quickly I went from despair and not wanting to live to joy and peace. It blows my mind. I hope this continues as I still keep waiting as if it won’t last.

Thank you, Dr. Mcleod.

A.W.

Correct Chromium Dosage

Thank you so much for your research into the benefits of chromium supplementation. It has had such a positive impact on my life, and as a consequence, on my family and friends also.

In Australia, the most elemental chromium our regulations permit is 50mcgs per dose. Most sources of chromium picolinate here contain 400mcgs of chromium picolinate (representing 50mcgs of elemental chromium) per tablet. Therefore, to receive a 500mcg dose of elemental chromium, we need to be taking 10 tablets! Is this correct? We don’t have Chromax Plus down here, but it seems a 500mcg dose of Chromax Plus refers to 500mcgs of elemental chromium.

If you could shed any light on this, it would be much appreciated. Your post ‘The difference between elemental chromium and chromium picolinate‘ (April 30, 2008), seems to indicate the above to be true. However, I would like to confirm if possible before I continue to tell others about this great discovery.

Thank you again,

D

Dear D

Thank you for contacting me and addressing this important question.

Please verify the following sentence, “Most sources of chromium picolinate here contain 400mcgs of chromium picolinate (representing 50mcgs of elemental chromium) per tablet.” Are you certain you are reading the label correctly? Please verify and get back to me.

Chromium picolinate is comprised of 1 part elemental chromium and 8 parts picolinic acid. In other words, chromium picolinate is composed of 12.43% elemental chromium and ~88% picolinic acid. For example, a label that reads 600 micrograms of chromium as chromium picolinate indicates that the pill or capsule contains 600 micrograms of elemental chromium and 4200 micrograms of picolinic acid. The same ratio applies to lesser amounts.

You indicate you have benefited from chromium supplementation. How does the label read on your bottle of chromium? How much elemental chromium have you been taking?

I look forward to trying to clarify your question.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD