Posted by Larry Hoover on July 1, 2004, at 9:57:29
In reply to Question for Larry Hoover, posted by Cecilia on June 29, 2004, at 1:32:49
> So what type of chromium is considered safest? I just checked the two bottles of multivitamins I have, one said it contained chromium chloride (150 mcg) the other just said chromium.
Chromium chloride is an excellent alternative. Another one would be chelated chromium, but I would hope the label would specify the chelating compound. Chromium picolinate is a chelated chromium compound.
> I wonder why they used the picolinate form in this study.
It's widely available. I should also emphasize that the clastogenic (DNA-disturbing) effects of chromium picolinate are not proven in living organisms. Only in laboratory cultures, under very artificial conditions, and highly manipulated concentrations. Chromium picolinate may be perfectly safe, but it may not be, too. The risk is small (or chromium picolinate would have been withdrawn from the market altogether).
> It seems so crazy-the FDA stalls forever on approving new meds, yet all these supplements are totally unregulated. (Just a rant). Cecilia
IMHO, the reason the alternate substances (vitamins, minerals, herbs, et al) remain unregulated is due to intense lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry. For every Senator, the pharms spend over $1.5 million in direct lobbying fees. Lord only knows how much is spent 'off the radar'.
By keeping doubt about the safety and efficacy of OTC treatments in the public arena, the pharmaceutical companies maintain their status as the conservative treatment strategy. The Germans very handily regulated vitamins herbs et al, so it can be easily done. It's not rocket science.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:355726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/362267.html