Question:
Anyone taking this?

An aquaintance said that taking chromium picolinate helps to curb the craving for carbs. I've never heard of it? (Vitalady, are you out there? LOL) Does it work? How much do you take?    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 13, 2001)

November 13, 2001
There is a supplement called 5-HTP that is supposed to also. I tried it and it helped me.
   — Angie B.

November 13, 2001
Well lemme answer that a coupla ways. I brought the stuff in, everyone bought ONE. They were gonna expire, so I ate 'em up myself. Zip, zero, zilch. Not impressed, not me, not anyone who bought 'em. However, they might work for YOU. TWO things that do seem to work: protein supps, the more the merrier, but not used WITH carbs like milk or juice (that just makes you crave more), and still not in greater than 30g increments. And I use this like a magic bullet. I had some friends here and we did the tourist thing. Normally, I NEVER forget to take protein-it's right there in the car all the time (dry). But, we were talking and looking and well, by end of day, I was ready to mow down entire stores & restaurants, sugar, carbs, ANYTHING----I WANTED it all. When I got home, realized I had been saggy in protein much lower than the 120-180g I normally do. It left me vulnerable to a massive munchie attack. The other thing that helps me, and many, but maybe not all, is stevia supplement. Not used as a sweetener, but taken as a pill. It has 20-30 "side effects", like fighting tooth decay & other fun stuff, but #1 is fighting sugar cravings. So, I just take 2 per day, one am, one mid-day and I think it helps on normal protein intake days.
   — vitalady

November 13, 2001
Chromium picolinate didn't do a thing for me.
   — Kathy J.

November 13, 2001
Chromium Picolate or chromium supplements won't help you to curb carb cravings as they don't effect the seratonin levels in your brain. It will however, effect your blood sugar levels. Many diabetics are urged to take this supplement to help keep the amount of meds that they take to a minimum. I've taken it for diabetes and it does help to keep blood sugar levels more stable, keep you from craving carbs---no way!!! Wish it were true! Also, taken at dosages higher than 200 mcg/day, you can risk kidney damage & failure. Sometimes it is hidden in weight loss and muscle building supplements at higher levels, several of my son's martial arts instructors had kidney problems from a supplement they were taking to help build muscles. Remember to read the labels,and ask your doctor for medical advise, supplements & vitamins should be treated like perscription drugs.
   — Sue F.