What is the difference between chromium picolinate and chromium polynicotinate?

Answer 1

From Revolution health blog Posted on 05:03PM (EDT) on 2007-09-24 Chromium is an essential trace mineral required for normal sugar and fat metabolism and works primarily by potentiating the action of insulin. It is present in the entire body but with the highest concentrations in the liver, kidneys, spleen and bone.

GTF (glucose tolerance factor) chromium was discovered when yeast extracts mixed with insulin were found to make insulin work better in the lowering of blood sugar levels. GTF Chromium supplements are biologically formed and organically bound (chelated) to live brewers yeast cells during the natural growth process of yeast. The chromium is assimilated by the yeast and thus formed in the same manner as the natural amounts of chromium which have always occurred naturally in brewers yeast.

Is Chromium supplementation helpful for maintaining insulin levels for Diabetes Type II? A 2007 study, "Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Western population" concluded, "Chromium treatment has been reported to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, concern exists about the possible toxic effects of chromium picolinate. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chromium treatment in the form of chromium yeast on glycemic control in a Western population of patients with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with oral hypoglycemic agents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this 6-month, double-blind study, patients with moderate glycemic control, being treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or treatment with 400 microg of chromium daily in the form of chromium yeast. The primary efficacy parameter was a change in A1C. Secondary end points were changes in lipid profile, BMI, blood pressure, body fat, and insulin resistance. RESULTS: No differences were found for the change in A1C between the intervention and placebo groups, nor were any differences found between the groups for the secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that chromium in the form of chromium yeast is effective in improving glycemic control in Western patients with type 2 diabetes who are taking oral hypoglycemic agents."

Answer 2

Chromium is a supplement that has been shown to lower hemoglobin A1C levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes. The difference between chromium picolinate and chromium polynicotinate is that chromium picolinate is made of chromium and picolinic acid whereas chromium polynicotinate is made of chromium and niacin.