Cancer and DNA risk with Chromium Picolinate?

By Dr. Xianti Hoo, Ph.D (Certified Nutritionist and Contact Reflex Analysis Practitioner)

A number of studies over the last few years suggest that use of chromium picolinate, a commonly used dietary supplement, may be putting you at risk for cancer and possibly damaging your DNA. The studies we looked at were:

• Dartmouth College found in 1995 that it may cause damage to chromosomes in hamsters, suggesting the supplement could cause cancer in humans.
• University of Alabama researchers revealed the results in 1999 of his study of chromium picolinate., When taken in combination with ascorbic acid found in many Vitamin C supplements, Dr. John B. Vincent and colleagues at the Tuscaloosa campus showed chromium picolinate may cause DNA damage which can lead to cancer.
• Arizona University in 2001 continued the 1995 research started at Dartmouth and again found a risk in the interaction between chromium picolinate and DNA mutation. Researcher Diana Stearns' results can be found in the January, 2002 issue of Mutation Research.

What is chromium picolinate?

Chromium picolinate is a popular dietary supplement that came into popularity in the 1980's as a way to help build muscle mass among those interested in body building and fitness. More recently it has been recommended for diabetics to help metabolize and control their blood glucose level, especially in adults with Type II diabetes. Still other experts claim that it can help in treating obesity.

Be aware what you put in your body

According to Diana Stearns (a researcher from Dartmouth College who later moved to Arizona University) chromium picolinate is a metal, and other metals, including arsenic, cadmium and nickel, are definitely hazardous to humans. However, she went on to say, human bodies need trace amounts of chromium and other metals, like iron, manganese, zinc and copper. Although not willing to advise others, Stearns says she would not personally take chromium picolinate. "I just want them to be aware of the science and what they're putting into their bodies," she said.

May need more research

The head research at Univeristy of Alabama, Dr. John Vincent said, "Careful investigation into the effects of long-term dietary supplementation with chromium picolinate are needed to evaluate its mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. In addition, development of other readily absorbable sources of chromium that lack the DNA damaging ability of chromium picolinate seems warranted."

Deficiency still exists

Studies conducted over decades by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have also shown that 9 out of 10 Americans may not be getting enough chromium and this may be an important deficiency contributing to the huge increase of diabetes in the U.S.

Get individual help for your body

As a Certified Nutritionist and Contact Reflex Analysis practitioner, I would recommend that you have your body checked to see if you need chromium. You can do this in-person at my office or I can test you over the phone doing a body-scan.

Each person's body will have different needs. After doing this for a decade and a half I can assure you that these processes are both accurate and safe. It takes the guesswork out of what to do because your body gives us the information from its own bio-electric reflexes. (My contact information is below.)

Give yourself a better chromium supplement

As a health practitioner, I offer you only the most wholesome supplements. The supplements I carry at my office are primarily made from organically grown vegetables and plants and glandular products. They are "whole food" supplements. They are grown, processed and packaged under the cleanest and purest standards. For more information, please call me TOLL FREE 1-866-942-6848. There is no obligation.

Check here for more information

If you or someone you know needs these nutrients to support their body, you can purchase these products at our secure online store. You can also visit our web site and search for more nutritional intervention by using our own search engine. Just type in any word or phrase you want to know more about in the "Search" box and you'll get results instantly. Then, just follow the links.

Coming Next Week

Eat Almonds to Lower Cholesterol-Are you nuts? Discover what the University of Toronto in Canada found after they completed a three-month study on cholesterol.

Contact Information

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Copyright November 7, 2002. Alternative Choices Healing Center. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The material you find here is for information and research purposes only. We are sharing information we believe in and feel that it is information not commonly found in mainstream media. If you have any doubts as to your course of action, you should consult your doctor or health care practitioner.