Posted by Larry Hoover on February 6, 2003, at 7:44:08
In reply to Been there done that, posted by Jaynee on February 5, 2003, at 20:42:48
> I took about 400mcg for about 2 months, I took it mostly for weight loss. I didn't lose any weight and I didn't notice any help with depression symptoms. Most chromium picolinate pills come in 200mcg. 600mcg doesn't sound all that high. Basically 3 pills a day. I once bought gum with chromium picolinate in it.
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> I did try taking chromium picolinate with Celexa about 10 months ago. I had to quit, because it was way to activating. I started to get that anxious feeling I got when I started Celexa. So with an AD, I believe it works for me, but on it's own, it really didn't do much.
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> There are a lot of studies out there on Chromium, so you will have lots to read.Well, apparently the Acceptable Daily Intake of chromium is 25 grams, so taking 600 mg (as they did in this study) is really no big deal.
There is precious little about the effects of chromium on depression, but improved glucose utilization is believed to enhance serotonergic neurotransmission (brain uptake of tryptophan is insulin-regulated), and there may be effects on norepinephrine as well.
Altern Med Rev 2002 Jun;7(3):218-35
The safety and efficacy of high-dose chromium.
Lamson DS, Plaza SM.
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA, USA. davisl@seanet.com
The data on the standards for chromium requirements and the safety of various chromium compounds and doses are reviewed. The 350-fold difference between the acceptable daily intake and the calculated reference dose for humans of 70 mg per day seems without precedent with respect to other nutritional minerals. Previous claims of mutagenic effects of chromium are of questionable relevance. While studies have found DNA fragmentation (clastogenic effects) by chromium picolinate, anecdotal reports of high-dose chromium picolinate toxicity are few and ambiguous. The beneficial effects of chromium on serum glucose and lipids and insulin resistance occur even in the healthy. Serum glucose can be improved by chromium supplementation in both types 1 and 2 diabetes, and the effect appears dose dependent. Relative absorption of various chromium compounds is summarized and the mechanism of low molecular weight chromium binding substance (LMWCr) in up-regulating the insulin effect eight-fold is discussed. There is evidence of hormonal effects of supplemental chromium besides the effect on insulin. Chromium supplementation does result in tissue retention, especially in the kidney, although no pathogenic effect has been demonstrated despite considerable study.
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2000 Dec;3(4):311-314
Chromium treatment of depression.McLeod MN, Golden RN.
Eight patients with refractory mood disorders received chromium supplements and described dramatic improvements in their symptoms and functioning. In several instances, single-blind trials confirmed specificity of response to chromium. Side-effects were rare and mild, and most commonly included enhanced dreaming and mild psychomotor activation. To our knowledge, this is the first case series describing the response to chromium monotherapy. The putative antidepressant effects of chromium could be accounted for by enhancement of insulin utilization and related increases in tryptophan availability in the central nervous system, and/or by chromium's effects on norepinephrine release.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:139626
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030204/msgs/139763.html