chromium picolinate

Chromium(III) picolinate

Chromium(III) picolinate is a chemical compound with the formula Cr(C5H4N(CO2))3, commonly abbreviated as CrPic3. It is a bright-red coordination compound derived from chromium(III) and picolinic acid. Chromium(III) picolinate is occasionally referred to as "trivalent chromium" when used as a supplement because it contains trivalent chromium (Cr3+). Trivalent chromium occurs naturally in many foods and is one of several forms of chromium sold as a dietary supplement intended to correct chromium deficiency. However, there is no evidence of chromium deficiency in healthy people and no medical symptoms of chromium deficiency exist. Supplementation with trivalent chromium does not prevent or treat obesity, impaired prediabetes condition, type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and is not considered effective for maintaining or losing body weight. Although daily doses of trivalent chromium up to 1,000 μg are considered to be safe, some adverse effects have been reported, and there is no clinical evidence that chromium supplementation provides any health benefit.