Cancer and Chromium

[Legacy]

I just seen on the news that Taking Chromium can increase
your risk of cancer. Has anyone got any more info
thanks

[Desertthorn]

I pulled this off the internet as I respect the U/Berkeley folks.
Chromium

Chromium
Claims, Benefits: Builds muscle, prevents and treats diabetes, promotes weight loss.

Bottom Line: Chromium is an essential mineral, but deficiency is rare in the U.S. There's no evidence that chromium supplements perform as claimed, promote weight loss, or benefit healthy people. There is some evidence that the picolinate form may harm cells. Diabetics should take only on medical advice.

Full article, Wellness Letter, June 2003:

Luster and Tarnish

Chromium is an essential trace mineral for the human body. It’s important in processing carbohydrates and fats, and it helps cells respond properly to insulin—the hormone, produced in the pancreas, that makes blood sugar available to the cells as our basic fuel. No one understands the exact role of chromium in all this, or even how much chromium is enough, but it doesn’t take too much imagination to come up with theories that chromium might promote weight loss, treat diabetes, and perhaps even help prevent heart disease or alleviate depression. Thus, chromium, especially in the form of chromium picolinate, has become a popular supplement, and its purveyors make many health claims—while downplaying any safety concerns.
Here’s a summary of the latest research in three categories:

Weight loss. Chromium supplements are often sold for weight loss, particularly for obese people who may be in danger of developing diabetes. Scientists have been studying the sup-plement’s potential role in weight control, but so far the most carefully conducted studies have shown no benefits.

Diabetes. Because chromium helps insulin do its job, it seems reasonable that it might help people with Type 2 diabetes or those at high risk for developing it. Low levels of chromium are characteristic of diabetes, though there’s no evidence that low chromium causes diabetes. Some studies have found that chromium picolinate supplementation in doses of 200 micrograms is beneficial, but others have not. One problem is that it’s difficult to diagnose chromium deficiency. One large clinical trial conducted in China found that chromium was helpful for those with diabetes—but the Chinese, including those with diabetes, are less likely to be obese than Americans, and their chromium levels were not evaluated at the start of the study. Clinical trials in the U.S. involving people with diabetes have so far produced no clear evidence of benefits from chromium supplements.

Heart disease. Studies of chromium supplements and blood cholesterol levels have shown no consistent benefit. If you were chromium-deficient, you might be able to reduce your LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raise your HDL ("good") cholesterol somewhat with chromium supplements. But even that is a big "might." And there are better ways to accomplish this, including diet, exercise, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Trouble with picolinate

Chromium supplements come in several forms, never as pure chromium. You can buy chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, and high-chromium yeast. Nicotinate and picolinate seem more easily absorbed than the others. There have been safety concerns about chromium picolinate, however, since laboratory studies have found that it could damage genetic material in animal cells, which suggests it might cause cancer. It seems to be the combination of chromium and picolinate that’s the potential problem, not the chromium alone. Of course, what happens in a test tube or in lab animals might not happen in the human body. But the bottom line is that nobody knows whether chromium supplements, particularly in large doses over the long term, are safe or effective.

In May, England’s Food Standards Agency, a food-safety watchdog group set up by Parliament, concluded that chromium picolinate can potentially cause cancer, and warned consumers not to take it.

Where to get your chromium

The best and safest source of chromium is food. Whole grains, ready-to-eat bran cereals, seafood, green beans, broccoli, prunes, nuts, peanut butter, and potatoes are rich in chromium. Sugary foods are low in this mineral and may even promote chromium loss; vitamin C may increase its absorption. Don’t exceed the amount in multivitamin/mineral pills—20 to 120 micrograms—which preferably should not be in the form of chromium picolinate.


UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2003

I am sure you can find studies that say just the opposite.

[kebaldwin]

IMHO

[Desertthorn]

Thanks Kebaldwin, I knew you would come in with some common sence.

[kebaldwin]

I forgot

[Desertthorn]

Talking about regular supplements, I know this question has been delt with some place else, but taking multi vitamins worries me. I know that if I get the cheapest ones, I am also getting cleap supplements, but I think that Im getting ripped off if I take the expensive ones. Is there a happy medium?
I read about a new process, and of course I can't find the article right now, but it talked about multivitamins made more effective. Have you seen anything about that.

[kebaldwin]

Talking about regular supplements, I know this question has been delt with some place else, but taking multi vitamins worries me. I know that if I get the cheapest ones, I am also getting cleap supplements, but I think that Im getting ripped off if I take the expensive ones. Is there a happy medium?
I read about a new process, and of course I can't find the article right now, but it talked about multivitamins made more effective. Have you seen anything about that.

[Perry]

Trying not to appear negative... (just inquisitive)

Do you think we (as a society) put too much emphasis on supplements?

Let me tell you what I take. < >

That's right. Nothing. However, after reading this thread and others on the board I'm wondering if we overdo it or if I'm underdoing it.

I did take the Atkins Basic 3 all through my weight loss period. It helped with leg cramps and made my pee bright yella but since I stopped I don't feel any worse.

ha

[kebaldwin]

I forgot again

[kebaldwin]

not again ... this diet is **** on my memory

[Perry]

It does not surprise me that you would ask that question - because I assume you are a 40-year-old man and have great health for your age (you don't feel middle aged).

If I was a $%#^ (okay, more of a $%#^) then I would say, "go read the book!" Most books on supplements will discuss this topic first. I don't think that I can make the point near as well as these authors -- but it never stopped me before .

Good assumption.

Great reply to my questions!

I'm off to do some reading. ha

[kebaldwin]

I also think that the historical aspects are interesting as well.

[Desertthorn]

Perry, this is a great thread. Could you move it to the Vitamin/Nurti and sicky it.
I was thinking about Vit D when I read this. Vit D generally comes from the sun, but we shower daily in the US and get little exposer to the sun.
Great post KE. Thanks.