The essential trace element chromium has been shown to normalize blood sugar, reduce blood fats and play a key role in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism.⁽¹⁾

Recently, supplementation with chromium picolinate has also been shown to enhance body building programs by increasing lean muscle mass and decreasing the percentage of body fat. Chromium is also involved in protein synthesis, possibly through its binding action with RNA. This essential nutrient shows promise for athletes as a safe, effective substitute for dangerous and illegal anabolic steroids.⁽¹⁾

Anabolic steroids continue to be used by athletes who are willing to sacrifice long term health for short term achievement. Known side effects of anabolic steroids include gynecomastia in males, decreased libido, increased aggression, decreased HDL cholesterol, testicular atrophy, oligospermia, increased acne, accelerated balding and closure of epiphysis, precocious puberty, and in women increased facial hair, deepening of the voice and clitoral hypertrophy.⁽⁶⁾

In two back-to-back anabolic studies, both placebo controlled and double-blind, young athletes gained significantly more muscle while taking 200 mcg. of chromium picolinate than did controls taking a placebo. Moreover, they lost 22 percent of their body fat versus only 6% in the controls.^(1,2,4) Subsequent studies have confirmed these findings in both humans (even in non-athletes) and animals.

Organic chromium, an active ingredient in GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor), enhances the effects of insulin and insures its efficient use. In addition to regulating blood sugar, insulin facilitates the entrance of other carbohydrates and amino acids through cell membranes and influences blood levels of other hormones.^(3,4)

Insulin promotes the development of skeletal muscles in at least three ways:

• Promotes intracellular uptake of free amino acids from the blood.
• Increases the rate of protein synthesis.
• Decreases the rate of protein degradation.

Biologically active chromium is needed in optimal amounts to produce the GTF needed to transport amino acids into the muscle cells.⁽⁴⁾

Because of its insulin enhancing effects, chromium picolinate has been used as an aid in controlling both hypoglycemia and diabetes.⁽²⁾

In a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study, diabetics taking 200 mcg. of chromium picolinate daily demonstrated highly significant decreases in both blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (a pernicious substance indicated in the aging process).^(2,5)

Many researchers believe that GTF unmasks blocking factors from the insulin receptors, thereby holding more insulin on the membrane. In other words, GTF allows more of the insulin in the blood to be put to work at each cell. Therefore, the same amount of available insulin actually becomes more working insulin.^(3,4)

A recent clinical trial using 200 mcg. daily of chromium picolinate found that in less than two months, both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol could be lowered by more than 10%.^(2,4)

A number of studies have shown that GTF chromium reduces blood cholesterol levels, improves the ratio of HDL (good) to LDL (bad) cholesterol, thereby helping to maintain arteries free of deposits. Two studies have shown chromium to reduce existing plaque in laboratory animals.⁽⁴⁾

Angiogram studies show that people with good blood levels of chromium have little evidence of arterial plaque, while persons with low blood chromium levels have a high incidence of arterial plaque.⁽⁴⁾

Studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that 9 out of 10 Americans may be getting less than the minimal 50 mcg. of chromium daily, although chromium deficiency rarely occurs in other countries.^(3,4) Americans are more likely to be to be deficient in chromium than any other vitamin or mineral. Several factors contribute to chromium deficiency in Americans.

• American soil does not contain an adequate supply, thus chromium cannot be absorbed by the crops or reach the water supply.
• Chromium is lost when food is refined.
• The typical American diet, high in sugar and refined carbohydrates is another contributing factor.^(2,3) Tests have shown that blood chromium drops greatly when 60 grams of glucose are administered.
• Only about 3% or less of the chromium in most foods is retained by the body.⁽⁵⁾
• Viral infections can cause blood chromium levels to drop dramatically.
• Vigorous exercise depletes chromium stores. Athletes in intense training use chromium at twice the rate of sedentary persons.⁽⁴⁾

Picolinic acid, which occurs naturally within the body, has been found to be the most effective chelator of metal ions. Chromium picolinate is 10 times more absorbable than chromium chloride used in many vitamin/mineral supplements and many times more absorbable than the chromium found in most foods.⁽¹⁾

Gamma oryzanol, a white powder-like substance extracted from rice bran oil, has both hormone and vitamin-like effects as well as stimulative effects on genital glands. Animal studies using mice and chickens have shown growth increases of 22-27% and 40-60% respectively over control groups in six weeks.⁽⁶⁾

Human tests by both Japanese and American scientists using athletes on vigorous training programs have shown increase in body mass, decrease in body fat and increased excretion of cholesterol which indicates a correlation with liver function. Gamma oryzanol has also been shown to possess anti-oxidative properties similar to that of Vitamin E.⁽⁶⁾

The trace element boron is beneficial not only for muscle building, but also for its positive effect on the recalcification of bone. In a 1986 study, a significant increase in plasma levels of both estrogen and testosterone was seen in postmenopausal women given boron supplements. Supplementation with 3 mg. of boron daily also reduced the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium.^(7,8)

WARNING:   This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only.

1. Evans, Gary W., Picolinates—How They Help Build Muscle without Steroids—And Other Health Benefits, Keats Publishing, New Canaan CT, 1989.

2. Evans, Gary W., "Chromium — a Basic Ingredient for Good Health," Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, January 1991.

3. "Chromium: A Nutritional Factor in Potentiating Insulin," Medical Nutrition, Autumn, 1988.

4. Passwater, Richard A., "Chromium Picolinate: Is it the Elusive GTF?" Whole Foods, April, 1989.

5. Vinson, Joe A., "Glucose Tolerance Factor," July 18, 1980.

6. Christensen,K., "Anabolic Steroids", The American Chiropractor, Dec. 1984

7. Nielsen, F.H., Hunt, C.D., Mullen, L.M., Hunt, J.R., "Effect of Dietary Boron on Mineral, Estrogen and Testosterone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women," U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Grand Forks, ND, April, 1987.

8. Kamen, Betty, Startling New Facts About Osteoporosis, Nutrition Encounter, 1989.

Each all-vegetable capsule contains: % Daily Value

Elemental Chromium 200 mcg. 167%
From Chromium Picolinate 1640 mcg.
Other ingredients: rice flour, magnesium stearate. Contains no animal products.

Each Capsule Contains: % Daily Value

GTF Trivalent Chromium 200 mcg. 167%
From Chromium Picolinate 1640 mcg.
Gamma Oryzanol 15 mg. *
Boron (Aspartate) 2 mg. *
Other ingredients: rice flour, magnesium stearate. *Daily Value not established. Contains no animal products.

Recommended Usage: One or two capsules daily. The National Academy of Sciences has recommended a daily intake of 50 - 200 mcg. for adults. In recent research, doses of 200-400 mcg. daily have been used. No toxic effects have been seen even in doses of up to 156,000,000 mcg. of chromium picolinate.