Difference Between Chromium and Chromium Picolinate

Hi Dr Mcleod,
Loved your book. I’m a bit confused with aussi doses tho. Read more

Are SAD and Atypical Depression the Same?

Dr. McLeod,

Are Seasonal Affective Disorder and Atypical Depression the same disorder?  My psychologist tells me I suffer from SAD, but as I was reading your book, it sounds like I have Atypical Depression.  Confused. Help. Thanks.

CR

ANSWER

Dear CR,

Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD and winter blues) and Atypical Depression (AD) share many of the same symptoms.   These include depression, cravings for carbohydrates, a tendency to gain weight,  loss of energy, oversleeping, heightened sensitivity to rejection, social isolaltion, and difficulty concentrating.  SAD and Atypical Depression are different, however.  In SAD depression usually begins in the the late fall or early winter months, and lifts when spring arrives, whereas AD can occur at any time during the year. People with AD often complain of a heavingess of their arms and legs, referred to as leaden paralysis. AD often starts in the teenage years.

What causes these disorders? An imbalalce of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) are thought to play a role in causing AD. If you have a biological family member with AD or alcoholism, you may be more suspectible to AD. Childhood physical and/or sexual abuse. and loss of a parent may predispose a person to AD.

The causes of SAD are not known for certain, but SAD is thought to be caused by a reduced amount of light which changes

• your biological clock (circadian rhythm) and lowers mood
•  serotonin levels, and  
• melatonin levels, which play a role in sleep regulation and mood.

What is the treatment for these conditions?

Phototherapy (light therapy) and medications (including melatonin) are often used to treat SAD. Psychotherapy and medications are used to treat AD. 

Based on a small amount of data, I think that chromium, as chromium picolinate, might be helpful in these disorders.  The FDA has not reviewed this claim.

I would be pleased to receive a followup from  you.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Can Chromium Help One Lose Weight?

QUESTION:
Hi Dr. McLeod,
I have read a lot of information regarding weight gain with long term
use of ssri’s. Do you believe that taking chromium with an
antidrepessant, such as prozac or zolft,helps with such weight gain?
Thank you

ANSWER:

Chromium reduces carbohydrate cravings in many people and it gives them more energy to exercise.  With this combination of reduced carb intake and increase many of my patients have lost weight after beginning to take chromium.

Please let me know if chromium helps you lose weight.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Chromium’s Help with Mood and Concentration

Hi Dr. Mcleod,

This is a comment and a question. But first, I want to say I’m very
happy you have done this research on chromium. I have known about the
benifits of this mineral for years. Read more

Does Chromium’s Effectiveness Decrease With Time?

Dear Dr. McLeod:

I have been suffering from depression for 20 years and only recently
learned about “atypical depression”, after years of unsuccessful
treatment with many different ssri’s. I exhibit a lot of the symptoms
of atypical depression. I got your book and was so interested I read
the whole thing in one night without putting it down! I took one,
1,000 mcg chromium picolate last night and I swear to God I might be
cured!!!!

I am a bit skeptical, since with a lot of the ssri’s I felt better for
awhile, but then they always ended up stopping working. I am hopeful,
based on your book, that this will not be the case with the chromium.
Do you have any experience with chromium “petering out” or quitting
working with any of your patients? How I feel after one day almost
seems too good to be true, and I am just hoping so much that this
lasts!

Thank you for writing the book, and your time, and I appreciate any
insight you might be able to provide, even though I understand you may
be completely inundated with messages.

C.R.L

ANSWER:

Dear C.R.L.

Thank you for contacting me. The efficacy of chromium lasts for years without becoming ineffective, as do some antidepressants for some people. Unfortunately, some patients feels “normal” soon after beginning to take chromium and they stop taking chromium, with the result that symptoms return.

I hope the antidepressant effect of chromium lasts. Please let me know.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Chromium Plus Prozac: Serotonin Syndrome?

Dear Dr. McLeod,

I am taking 40mg of prozac a day. Can this safely be combined with
Chromium Pico without inducing seretonin syndrome. I worry about this?
Thanks I suffer from atypical depression and panic disorder.

Thank you.

KK

ANSWER:

Dear K

Some of my patients take chromium with Porzac. They report that chromium boosts the efficacy of Porzac.  Infrequently, however,  antidepressant medications can cause serotonin syndrome, and the addition of chromium may increase this possible adverse event.

 If you believe you are developing serotonin syndrome, immediately contact your primary physician or go the the emergency room.

Please write to me with a follow-up report.

Maalcolm McLeod, MD

Does chromium induced jitters go away?

Does Chromium Negatively Interact With Valium Or Lamictal?

Dear Dr. Mc Leod.
Thank you very much for a wonderful website and important research. My
question is the following: Does chromium interact negatively with
valium or lamictal?

Again, thanks!

Paul

Thank you for contacting me, Paul.    Both Valium and Lamictal can cause undesirable side effects, but I am not aware  that chromium adversely interacts with either Valium or Lamictal.

APOLOGIES

Dear Readers:

Please accept my apologies for not responding to your mail during the past several weeks. Just recently, I realized I was not receiving mail. Reason: I switched publishing platforms and somehow the contact form link fell into cyberspace. That has been corrected and I look forward to trying to answer your questions.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Chromium, Moodiness and Atypical Depression

Dr. McLeod,

I have just had a moment that I believe I have suffered from atypical depression most of my life (since I was a kid). Read more

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