The best information we could find about the benefits of chromium came from Susan Clark. Susan Clark is the Alternative Health writer for the Sunday Times, and she was health journalist of the year in 2000. She was asked the question "I hate exercise but want to improve my muscle tone. I know you have written about supplements that help. Can you tell me how these work and which you regard as the best?" by a Sunday Times reader.

Her answer was:

"For those who may still be having trouble dragging themselves off the sofa, a supplement called chromium is the answer... which nutritionists frequently use to help control fluctuating blood sugar levels in Type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes, it has also now been shown to build muscle and trim fat simultaneously. In one study, overweight volunteers who were given chromium for 72 days, but followed no particular dietary or exercise regime, on average, lost 4.2lbs pf body fat and at the same time gained 1.4lb of lean muscle. If you do manage to exercise regularly, however, you'll see even better results. In another study, male athletes were given 200mcg of chromium per day and then compared with another group who were given a placebo. The researchers found that after 6 weeks, those who had taken the supplement had gained an impressive 44% leans muscle mass compared with a gain of just 7% among the control group. Chromium works by improving the action of insulin in the body, which in turn helps the body use fat as fuel."

Susan Clark didn't elaborate much on the use of chromium as a supplement to control cravings, but research has shown that its effect on insulin helps to regulate blood sugar levels. This in turn can help control cravings for sweet, sugary foods, particularly in people susceptible to high glycaemia foods. It can also help if you suffer from shakiness if missing or delaying a meal.

You may have read some reports that chromium may not be safe. Susan Clark has also looked into these reports. There has been only one study that threw doubt on chromium. The type of chromium was Chromium Picolinate. However, US authorities have considered the evidence and concluded that chromium is safe to use. To be extra safe (we really do feel that your health is the primary concern), the chromium we sell on this site is Chromium Amino Acid Chelate and not Chromium Picolinate. Chromium Amino Acid Chelate has never been considered unsafe in any study.

Chromium is not suitable for diabetics without the express permission of your doctor, and as with all supplement should not be taken by those under 18, pregnant women or anyone with a medical condition without first consulting their doctor.

If you want to find chromium in our shop, you can find them in our Diet Aids Shop under 'Weight Loss Supplements'.