WHAT IS THE PROPER DOSAGE OF CrPic?

Dr. McLeod:

After reading your book, I started taking chromium almost five years ago. It had a profound impact. I am wondering about dosage. I believe I have been taking 200 mcg after breakfast, and then again, at around 10:30 am. Odd as this might sound, I wonder if I initailly was taking 500 mcg, and then somehow purchased the 200 mcg. What is the proper dose? If I should increase, what is the best way to build up to the higher dose? I have gained weight in the last year, and wonder if that is because I changed accidentally from 500 to 200.

Thanks!

Best,

R H

ANSWER:

Dear RH

I usually recommend that people start taking 3 micrograms per pound of body weight of chromium picolinate daily. If that dosage does not curb appetite, give more energy, and lift depression within one week, I suggest increasing the dosage to 5 micrograms per pound of body weight daily. That 'translates" to a maximum dosage of 1000 micrograms per day for a person who weighs 200 pounds.

If increasing the dosage does not achieve the desired effect, you may want to consider switching to another brand of chromium picolinate. Not all formulations are made with equal atttention to quality control.

Thank you for contacting me. Please let me know if increasing the dosage helps.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

CrPic in Canada

Dr. McLeod,

I have just finished reading your book Lifting Your Depression and am interested in adding chromium picolinate to my diet to see what effect, if any, it may have on my depression. However, I'm a young woman located in Canada and am wondering if there is a brand that I can purchase here that you know is similar in effectiveness as the one you recommend. Is there a product that can be purchased from a Canadian retailer? I do not make much of a salary and would so appreciate your advice.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

N V

ANSWER
CHROMIUM PICOLINATE (CrPic) is still pending approval in Canada. So you will not be able to buy it in Canada. I, however, have contacted Nutrition21, US maker of CHROMAX, a reliable brand of CrPic, and they have agreed to send you some bottles. Simply send me your physical mailing address and I will forward it to Nutrtion21, Inc.

Thank you for contacting me. Please let me know what effect CrPic has.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD