Chromium for atypical depression

Hi All,

There's a doctor in the US who claims liquid chromium picolinate can alleviate atypical depression completely, that it's caused by insulin resistance, which the chromoium supplementation overrides. He recommends a brand called 'Chromax'... I'm reluctant to buy this as it is not sold in the UK.

Has anyone heard of this?

 

Isnt that the herb that is used for weight loss?  I think that it is or is similar to Chitosan.

Yes it is for weight loss, or management... I bought these mints the other day from GNC called "Slim Mints" (I'm an impulse buyer and they were sitting by the register) and the main ingredient is Chromium picolinate and they're meant to manage weight and appetite control so like you just eat a mint if you're hungry or something. But I notice on the back it says that it hasn't been evaluated by the FDA

I suffer from atypical depression myself (for about the last 15 years) and have tried paxil, thyroid meds and testosterone therapy to help.  Mine comes and goes so its always hard to tell if anything helps or if I just "cycle" out of it.  I did see something in Wikipedia about chromium, here is the link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atypical_depression

Not sure if it would help but I have heard it does help with insulin/blood sugar management.  Its commonly used in conjunction with weight loss supplements here in the US.  Its not a magic bullet but may be something that helps a little.

Hi
I was taking this few years back for energy and weighloss but for me it didn t work. was nervous all the time and couldn t sleep.
I found this on it.
P.S.
in germany you can buy it in every drugstore..

"Trivalent chromium (Cr(III), or Cr3+) is required in trace amounts for sugar metabolism in humans (Glucose Tolerance Factor) and its deficiency may cause a disease called chromium deficiency. In contrast, hexavalent chromium is very toxic and mutagenic when inhaled as publicized by the film Erin Brockovich. Cr(VI) has not been established as a carcinogen when not inhaled but in solution it is well established as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Recently it was shown that the popular dietary supplement chromium picolinate complex generates chromosome damage in hamster cells. In the United States the dietary guidelines for daily chromium uptake were lowered from 50-200 µg for an adult to 35 µg (adult male) and to 25 µg (adult female)."

Precautions

Chromium metal and chromium(III) compounds are not usually considered health hazards; chromium is an essential trace mineral.[6] However, hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) compounds can be toxic if orally ingested or inhaled. The lethal dose of poisonous chromium (VI) compounds is about one half teaspoon of material. Most chromium (VI) compounds are irritating to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure to chromium (VI) compounds can cause permanent eye injury, unless properly treated. Chromium(VI) is an established human carcinogen. An investigation into hexavalent chromium release into drinking water formed the plot of the motion picture Erin Brockovich.

World Health Organization recommended maximum allowable concentration in drinking water for chromium (VI) is 0.05 milligrams per liter. Hexavalent chromium is also one of the substances whose use is restricted by the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

As chromium compounds were used in dyes and paints and the tanning of leather, these compounds are often found in soil and groundwater at abandoned industrial sites, now needing environmental cleanup and remediation per the treatment of brownfield land. Primer paint containing hexavalent chromium is still widely used for aerospace and automobile refinishing applications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium