Posted by katekite on April 10, 2002, at 18:08:08
In reply to Chromium, posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:33:03
Interesting, never heard of using it. Looked. A couple articles support it, but #2 here says in normal women it worsens PMS and anxiety. Here are three journal tidbits:
1. JOURNAL. Attenburrow, M.-J.; Odontiadis, J.; Murray, B. J.; Cowen, P. J.; Franklin, M.. Chromium treatment decreases the sensitivity of 5-HT2A receptors. In: Psychopharmacology February, 2002. 159 (4): 432-436.
Language: English; Pub type: JOURNAL ARTICLEAbstract: Rationale: Recent case series suggest that chromium picolinate in doses of 400 mug daily may have antidepressant properties, perhaps through increasing the peripheral availability of tryptophan for brain serotonin (5-HT) synthesis. Objectives: To determine the effects of chromium treatment on plasma tryptophan availability and on brain 5-HT function in human and animal models. Methods: We studied the effects of short-term chromium supplementation on plasma concentrations of tryptophan and other large neutral amino acids. Brain 5-HT function was assessed by measuring the corticosterone/cortisol response to the 5-HT precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a response believed to be mediated via indirect activation of 5-HT2A receptors. Results: In rats, chromium increased peripheral and central tryptophan availability and elevated brain 5-HT content. Changes in peripheral tryptophan availability were not seen in humans but in both rats and humans, chromium lowered the cortisol response to challenge with 5-HTP. Conclusions: Chromium can modify brain 5-HT function in humans and animals, perhaps by altering the sensitivity of central 5-HT2A receptors.
2.JOURNAL. Penland, James G.; Lukaski, Henry C. (Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology on Experimental Biology 2001 Orlando, Florida, USA March 31-April 04, 2001). Chromium picolinate and picolinic acid supplementation affect menstrual symptomatology but not cognitive performance. In: FASEB Journal March 8, 2001. 15 (5): A1089.
Language: English; Pub type: CONFERENCE LITERATURE; JOURNAL ARTICLEAbstract: The consumption of chromium (Cr) supplements has increased markedly in recent years despite the paucity of well-controlled studies of its biologic and behavioral effects in humans. As part of a study designed to assess the effects of Cr on body composition and iron status, menstrual symptoms and cognitive performance were evaluated in 83 women (aged 18-50 y) fed a low Cr diet (29 mcg/d) and supplemented (double-blind) with either 187 mcg/d Cr (as Cr picolinate), 1700 mcg/d picolinic acid or a placebo (starch) for 12 wks following a 2-wk baseline (no supplement) period. Women completed a 60-item menstrual symptom checklist daily and a computerized battery of 8 cognitive and psychomotor tasks monthly throughout the study. Compared to placebo, both active supplements increased the incidence and severity of self-reported intermenstrual anxiety (p<0.03), depression (p<0.02) and negative affect (p<0.006), and premenstrual negative affect (p<0.05), pain (p=0.05) and water retention (p<0.03). Cognitive testing revealed no significant effects of supplementation on tasks measuring attention, perception, memory, reasoning, motor speed or eye-hand coordination. Findings indicate that supplements containing picolinic acid may have negative consequences for menstrual symptomatology and mood states in otherwise healthy women.
3.JOURNAL. McLeod, Malcolm N.; Gaynes, Bradley N.; Golden, Robert N.. Chromium potentiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder in 5 patients. In: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry April, 1999. 60 (4): 237-240.
Language: English; Pub type: JOURNAL ARTICLEAbstract: Background: Dysthymic disorder is a relatively common illness that is often treated with antidepressants. Compared with the study of major depression, there has been little systematic study of potentiation strategies for antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder. Method: Following a patient's report of dramatic response to the addition of chromium supplementation to sertraline pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder (DSM-IV), the authors initiated a series of single-blind and open-label trials of chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate in the treatment of antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder. Results: In a series of 5 patients, chromium supplementation led to remission of dysthymic symptoms. Single-blind substitution of other dietary supplements in each of the patients demonstrated specificity of response to chromium supplementation. Conclusion: Preliminary observations suggest that chromium may potentiate antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder. Controlled studies are indicated to test the validity of these initial observations.
poster:katekite
thread:102659
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102676.html