NOW Tri-Chromium 

An essential trace mineral for normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and for maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. According to some researchers, signs and symptoms of chromium deficiency in the general population appear widespread. This product offers the added benefits of containing three highly researched, therapeutic forms of this popular mineral.

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Its biologic function is believed to be due to its complexing with nicotinic acid (niacin) and amino acids to form a compound called GTF (glucose tolerance factor). When ingested, most chromium is excreted unabsorbed in the feces. The small percentage that is absorbed, typically 0.4% to 2.5%, is rapidly excreted in the urine. Once absorbed, chromium concentrates in the kidney, heart, liver, brain, muscle, spleen, testes, epididymis, and lungs. It is difficult to measure chromium status to determine who might require supplementation. Blood chromium levels are not in equilibrium with chromium stores and, therefore, do not provide a good indicator of  chromium status. Food processing increases chromium loss from foods significantly, also chromium levels decrease with age. Symptoms of chromium deficiency can include impaired insulin function and glucose tolerance, increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides, neuropathy, decreased respiratory function, and nitrogen metabolism abnormalities. Chromium has been used at dosages higher than the minimum nutritional level to offset problems of malabsorption or to pharmacologically influence the chemistry of blood sugar control in diabetics. Chromium picolinate is the most studied synthetic chromium product. It is a complex of chromium and picolinic acid, which is a naturally occurring metabolic derivative of tryptophan. Adding the picolinate salt increases absorption, retention and accumulation of chromium compared to inorganic salts such as chromium chloride. Chromemate(Chromium Polynicotinate) readily binds to niacin to produce GTF also making it a readily absorbable form of chromium. Chelavite is also a chromium niacin amino acid chelate that has shown extensive improvements in absorption over chromium chloride. Cinnamon is included in this formula, because of the potential beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Preliminary research suggests that the cinnamon bark constituent, methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP), might improve insulin sensitivity. It seems to mimic the activity of insulin, thereby stimulating glucose metabolism. It also appears to work synergistically with insulin, possibly by improving insulin signaling pathways and alternative pathways that cause increased cellular glucose uptake.

Directions:

Chromium………………………………………………………….….……500 mcg

[Picolinate, Amino acid chelate (Chelavite), Polynicotinate (Chromemate)]

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) Bark………………………………….….250 mg

Non-Medicinal Ingredients: