The Chromium Connection

Can a Person with Kidney Disease Take Chromium?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:11:00 +0000

QUESTION:

Hello,

I have many of the symptoms of atypical depression and am interested in taking chromium picolinate but I read somewhere that you should not take it if you have a kidney disease - which I have. Is that correct or could I take it maybe even at a low dose?

Thank you,
N. C.

ANSWER:

Dear N.C.:
I am not aware of the study that shows people with kidney disease should not take chromium. I would like to know your source. There are several causes. Probably type II diabetes is the most common. Whether you take chromium or not may depend on your type of kidney disease.

A caveat: I am not a specialist in kidney diseases. I recommend that you consult a nephrologist — a physician who specializes in diseases of the kidney — and obtain his or her opinion about taking chromium.

Sorry I can’t be more definite. Please let me know what your nephrologist says.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Dosage of New Chromax

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:39:00 +0000

hi dr. mcleod,
i stumbled upon your research and blog online today and am praying Chromax will help me in my 20 year battle with depression, pmdd, sad and 3 bouts of ppd. All of which run on both sides of my family along with diabetes.i noticed the 500 mg capsules of Chromax have 250mg of chromium picolinate and 250mg of chromium histidinate? If I need 1000mg of Chromium Picolinate according to your blog, should I take 2 or 4 of these pills each day? Have you studied both forms of Chromium? Think this is a new formulation of Chromax.....Thanks!

Answer:

Yes, this is a new formulation of Chromax. The hope is that absorption of chromium will be increased by adding chromium histidinate to chromium picolinate. You should take 2 pills each day.

Please let me know if this helps.

Malcolm McLeod

WHAT IS THE PROPER DOSAGE OF CrPic?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:07:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:43:00 +0000

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

Chromium histidinate?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:51:00 +0000

QUESTION

I have been taking Chromax Ultra for my chromium picolinate. At the drug store I noticed that they have changed their formulation to half chromium picolinate and half chromium histidinate. In your book you mentioned that other chromium formulations were not effective, but I don't recall the hisidinate form being mentioned. Icelandic Health doesn't seem to offer the regular picolinate only formula any longer. Is the new formulation effective or do I need to switch brands? Thanks!

ANSWER:Your assumption is correct. Chromium histidinate became available after publication of Lifting Your Depression.
A few words about chromium histidinate: Histidine is an essential amino acids and is found in protein-containing foods. When combined with chromium, it improves chromium's absorption. There is some evidence that -- when combined with chromium picolinate -- it increases absorption, based on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15564651">research conducted by research chemist Dr. Richard A. Anderson and colleagues at the USDA.

The object of Dr Anderson’s study was to find a complex of chromium that was better absorption than any of the existing forms. The research group made and tested several new complexes of chromium and gave them to three males and three females. They measured the amount of chromium excreted in their urine, the logic being that the more that is absorbed, the more excreted. They found that the greatest level of urinary chromium excretion occurred in those subject who had taken chromium histidinate.

The study was approved by the Human Nutrition Study Committee, US Department of Agriculture, and the Internal Review Board, Clinical Section of Georgetown University, Washington, DC.

The evidence is meager at this point, but I plan to take the preparation that contains both chromium picolinate and histidinate and also to recommend it to my patiens.

Analysis of Study of 113 Patients

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:26:00 +0000

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. McLeod,

I read about the study of 113 depressed patients who received either chromium or placebo for 8 weeks. Why didn’t more of them benefit from from chromium? I find this surprising since chromium has helped curb my appetite, has allowed me to lose weight (because I have more energy to exercise), and it has lifted my depression. It has been wonderful for me. Will you explain why more people in the study didn't benefit from chromium?

ANSWER:

Yes, I'll certainly try to.

Dr. John P. Docherty was the lead investigator of the study to which you are referring. At the time he was CEO of Comprehensive NeuroScience Inc., and Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, NY.

One hundred thirteen patients were enrolled in study, which was double-blinded. It was conducted at multiple centers across the US, and lasted for 8 weeks. The plan was to give 600 micrograms daily of chromium picolinate (CrPic) to 75 of the patients; 38 were to receive a placebo or “dummy” pill. The patients’ responses were to be assessed by the 29-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-29) and the Clinical Global Impressions Improvement Scale (CGI-I).

Of the 113 patients who were enrolled in the study, 3 dropped out before taking a single dose of the capsules that contained either CrPic or placebo. Another 35 did not comply with the study design, that is, they failed to take at least 80% of the capsules, and therefore were excluded from analysis of the data. This left only 75 of the original 113 who completed the study. Of the 75 who completed the study, only fifty (50) received CrPic, while 25 received placebo.

TheCrPic group reported more benefit than placebo in reducing appetite, reducing eating, decreasing carbohydrate craving, and “smoothing out” daily mood swings. As measured by the overall HAM-D-29 scores, both groups improved. However, CrPic was no better than placebo. This may have been because not everyone is this group craved carbohydrates and not everyone was overweight. In other words, not all patients suffered from atypical depression.

Let us look at only those 41 patients who were overweight and who craved carbohydrates: twenty six, (26) received CrPic and 15 received placebo. Those who received CrPic had significantly greater improvement, as measured by the total HAM-D-29 scores, than did those receiving placebo (65% vs 33%). Moreover, those receiving CrPic reported significantly greater improvement in terms of appetite control, reduced eating, and reduced carbohydrate craving.

To look at the results in round numbers, analysis of the study results suggests that 2 in 3 depressed people who are overweight and chronically hungry will respond to chromium while only 1 in 3 will respond to placebo. This analysis of the data supports my observation that chromium lifts depression and curbs appetite in overweight, depressed people.

Thank you very much for your question.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Does Chromium Reduce Craving for Alcohol?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Dear Dr. McLeod,

I take chromium for 2 weeks as part of my diet to avoid crave for sugar.
Everything works fine but yesterday when I went for a party and had 5 pear ciders I started be aggressive like never before.
I do not understand the symptoms and my friends are not very happy about that what happened.
Could it be because any alcohol connection with chromium?
Could it be a sugar-chromium side effect?
Pear cider has got 210 kcal.

Regards
M.J.

Dear M.J.,

My knowledge of chromium's effects on metabolism of alcohol by the human body is very limited, but I can tell you this. I posted a blog in December of 2005 on this topic. George, the first patient I described in Lifting Your Depression, reported that chromium definitely changed the way his body responded to alcohol.

To briefly summarize George's response, in his own words, to alcohol after he started taking chromium:
"Both my parents were alcoholics. I saw the harm alcohol did to them and to our family, so I have always been very careful to limit my consumption of alcohol. In the past - on those rare occasions when I drink - I gulp alcohol, get drunk very fast, and have a terrible hangover the next day. As you know I started taking chromium picolinate about a month ago. This past weekend my reaction to alcohol was very different. I drank two beers, slowly, and got pleasantly tipsy. I didn't feel a need to gulp alcohol as I have in the past, and I didn't drink too much. When I woke the next morning, I did not have any trace of a hangover. Chromium has definitely changed the way my body reacts to alcohol."

Thank you for contacting me, M.J. I wish I could offer more case histories, but my experience with alcohol and chromium is limited. Please let me know if you have any further observations and thoughts.

By the way, do you think pear cider might contain any toxins that contributed to the change in your behavior? Or might pear cider contain too much sugar?

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Does the combination of an SSRI and chromium help PMS?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:57:00 +0000

QUESTION:

Hi Dr. McLeod,
I was taking 10 mg. of Prozac for approximately 4 1/2 years for what I thought was difficult PMS. Even with this small dose, I benefited quit a bit and even experienced benefits in areas that surprised me (overall confidence increased dramatically) I went off in January because I started an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle. IVF ended in April and I hit rock bottom. It has taken the last three months to allow the hormones from the IVF to leave my system, and I have to say I feel much better. However, I am still somewhat irritable, blue and am experiencing chronic insecurity. I've come to the conclusion that perhaps I do in fact have low serotonin and perhaps always have. I went back on 10 mg. of Prozac this week.
Here are my questions:
1. Over the long term I gained 10-15 lbs on the Prozac. That was my only side effect but it is a big one and I am very concerned this will happen again. I bought Solgar brand Chromium Picolinate (500 mcg) after reading that it can help with this side effect of an SSRI. Is it safe to take long term along side the Prozac?
2. Are there any other supplements that should be avoided? I also take Asacol for mild ulcerative colitis, is this okay to take with the Chromium Picolinate?
I look forward to reading your answer on the blog.
Sincerely,
R. K.

ANSWER:

Dear Ms. K,

Thank you for contacting me with your interesting and important questions.

Not only is it safe to add chromium, the combination of chromium and Prozac (and other SSRIs) seems to work better than SSRIs alone for PMS and atypical depression. I do not know of any long term ill effects. Some of my patients have taken chromium along with an SSRIs for over a decade with great benefit and no side effects. In some cases, they have NEVER had another difficult period.

There are no reported interactions among chromium, Asacol and Prozac.

In case you don’t already know, women with severe PMS tend to relapse after discontinuing treatment with antidepressant medications, according to a recent study published in the May issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Dr. Dr. Ellen W. Freeman and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia studied 174 women with severe PMS, known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Some of the women took the antidepressant medication, sertraline, for 4 months and were then switched to a placebo or dummy pill. Other women took sertraline for 12 months and were then switched to placebo. (Sertraline and Prozac are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.)

Although 72 percent of the 174 women improved while taking sertraline, symptoms returned in roughly half of the women after discontinuation of sertraline.

This study suggests that the more severe your symptoms are before treatment, the greater your likelihood of relapse (return of symptoms) after discontinuation of treatment.

If you decide to add chromium, please let me know if it helps or not. Again, thank you for contacting me.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Chromium for Asperger's Syndrome?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:39:00 +0000

QUESTION:

Dear Dr McLeod,

My son has Asperger's Syndrome, and his most troublesome symptoms are disordered sleep patterns, depression and anxiety, particularly anxiety. He is underweight, because often he is so anxious he feels nauseous, and doesn't want to eat. He sees a psychologist and talks about the issues that make him anxious and depressed, but talking is not enough and he needs more help. I read somewhere that chromium can help with sleep problems because of its effect on tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, and also that it can help stressed adrenal glands. Do you think he should try chromium for these reasons, even though he is not overweight? He is reluctant to try antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication because he is frightened of side effects, and fears they might sedate him so much he loses his creativity (he is an artist).

Thank you,
E

ANSWER:
Before making any decision, I suggest you consult your son's physician and run your questions by him or her.

I did have one patient who had a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome: his anxiety and depression did seem to benefit from taking chromium picolinate. I doubt, however, that it helped his underlying Asperger's Syndrome. Like your son, he was thin, very brightand creative. He, too, refused to take antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications for fear they would dull his thinking.

You must not view this one case I am citing as anything other than anecdotal. Moreover, the use of chromium for Asperger's has not been evaluated by the FDA. Chromium is, however, very safe, so that the potential benefits might far outweight any risk.

If you decide to give your son chromium, please let me know the results.

Thank you
Malcolm McLeod, MD

Combination Chromium and Prozac

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Hello again, Dr. McLeod.

I wrote you about a year and a half ago when I started taking chromium. I'm still on it and doing very well. The difference still astonishes me in how much better I am on the combination of Prozac and chromium. The carb cravings are a lot less and my energy level stays stable through the day. I've been able to lose 25 pounds so far, hopefully with more to come. I still need to lose another 30-50 pounds, but the chromium has been a big help so far. My blood pressure has dropped significantly as the result of the weight loss, my blood pressure has dropped from 130/90 to 118/80. I will have to stay disciplined, as even with the carb cravings diminished, I do still love to eat. My GP is pleased that I'm on chromium with my family history of type 2 diabetes, even though I show no clinical symptoms yet. He also treats both of my parents' type 2 diabetes. We've talked about possibly starting me on a low dose of glucophage as a preventive, as since I'm already responding to the chromium, there's already insulin resistance present. One of my friends who has similar depression to mine has started taking it and has had good results and I finally got my dad to start taking it. We both come from a long line of people with depression. He is feeling better too, and our doctor was ecstatic at his last checkup for his type 2 diabetes at his blood sugar and A1C levels. They've dropped significantly since he's been on the chromium.Thanks again for all of your research and work to publicize this treatment. It has made such a big difference in my life.
E.L.

Can chromium reduce need for diabetic drugs?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:41:00 +0000

I have received numerous emails from people that suggest that chromium might be useful in lowering the dosage of drugs used to treat diabetes. This is not proven, but it certainly is an interesting area for research.
I'm pleased to read that the person is studying this matter with the help of her physician. I would never recommend otherwise.
Here is the letter:

Dear Dr McLeod

Thanks to chromium picolinate (600 ug daily) my mood so well improved. As well as my diabetes 2: Now I am taking only half dose of my oral anti diabetic drug ( Metformin + pioglitazone) under supervision of my physician. And my fasting blood sugar is better than before !. Thank you for all you have discovered.

I am looking forward to your next book.

Best regards
C. A.
France

Another depressed person responds to chromium

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:41:00 +0000

I have received hundreds of emails that support my discovery that chromium is useful in the treatment and prevention of the type of depression associated with carbohydrate craving. Here is the most recent account:

Dear Dr. McLeod,
I came across your website and your book after trying to look for the connection between chromium and depression on the Internet. I was looking to see if there was any information about the connection, because I in fact knew that there was through personal experience, even though I hadn't until today read anything to confirm it. I first started taking Chromium about 2 or 3 years ago in an attempt to stop sugar cravings and lost a bit of weight. I was certain that -- as well as giving me more energy and motivation -- chromium also improved my moods! I suffer from mild Dysthymia and despite knowing why at times I feel 'down and depressed', other times I am simply taken over by feelings of despair, sadness and absolute emptiness. At times these are due to my hormones, I have very high oestrogen, but at other times the feelings just come and go with no reason at all! I can definitely say that Chromium stabilises these feelings and has a 100% positive effect on depression which I recognised a few years ago now. I then stopped taking it, partly because I was feeling better and partly because of the apparent side effects, however for the past 8 months I have gone back to feeling very depressed and just started taking them again today; I can feel the difference already.

Your book will inform many people about the benefits of Chromium, if taken sensibly and with an informed mind set! You may publish my response to chromium on your blog. I hope it will be useful to others. Doctors should suggest chromium instead of anti-depressants which mask feelings!
Best Wishes,
E.N.

Another person with atypical depression responds to chromium

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Dr. McLeod,
I wanted to share with you my story about Chromium Picolinate. I've dealt with very strong sugar cravings most of my life, and on a random recommendation from someone, I decided to try chromium picolinate to see if it would help. Little did I know what it would do for me.
Within two days, I realized it was having an effect on other symptoms that I've struggled with for over 20 years, and have seen doctors about, but to no avail. I've dealt with insomnia (difficulty in falling asleep and being very restless) and fatigue most prevalently; but I've also felt depressed at times and have had mild social anxiety issues for as long as I can remember. I figured the last two were more of a personal failing than biological, but I had been seeking solutions for the first two for quite awhile (medicine, change of diet and exercise, etc.). Some success, but things never quite felt right. So I started taking CrPic, and all of these symptoms cleared up within two days. I felt like I went to sleep and woke up in a new body. This was so odd that I did some research on "chromium and depression" and found your book. I felt like I was reading about myself in your descriptions of atypical depression. It never dawned on me that perhaps there was a description that encompassed the symptoms I've had. I've been waiting for the effects to die off, but fortunately they haven't. My carbohydrate cravings have all but disappeared. It's literally been a life-changer for me. Although I've learned to cope pretty well, I know that my work and social life have felt the effects. And here's something strange that I don't know if you've run into: I've had a habit of biting my nails for over 25 years and I've never been successful in kicking the habit. In the last two weeks, the impulse behind that action has disappeared, and I haven't bitten them since. I don't know if there's a connection to a less anxious and stable mood, but I feel as if there is a biological connection as well. I'm more "settled" internally, such that it seems to have short-circuited the impulse.
One last observation: when I was seeing the doctor about my fatigue awhile back, I had some blood work done and he mentioned that the tests showed that my blood sugar levels were in the pre-diabetic stage. This was another piece of the puzzle that seemed to correspond to atypical depression, and that CrPic was a genuine solution, and not just a placebo.
Thanks very much for your research in this area. I'm convinced it's helping a lot of people.

Name withheld by request

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much for contacting me and telling me your story. I have had many patients who shortly after beginning to take chromium picolinate have responded exactly as you describe, with rapid lifting of carbohydrate craving, lifting of depression, improved sleep and less anxiety. You are the first person who has reported cessation of nail biting. Your explanation – that stopping nail biting is the result of less anxiety—sounds plausible to me.

Again, thank you for sharing your story. I will post it on my blog with the hope that others will see themselves in your account and will derive benefit from CrPic.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Chromium helps carb cravings in atypical depression

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Dear Dr. McLeod
I have been struggling with atypical depression for years. Depression, binge eating due to overwhelming carb cravings, weight gain, oversleeping, debilitating fatigue, extreme sensitivity to rejection... all worsening over the months and years in severity and eventually leading to suicidal ideation. I went on Lexapro which helped keep me alive and allowed me to function from day to day, even though I never felt whole and healed. And it never touched the carb cravings. I eventually added therapy and noticed concrete, steady improvement and the possibility in my mind of eventually achieving long term mental health. Oh, but still those carb cravings. They really wouldn't budge.Then I read an article on Chromium for atypical depression and I decided to try it... 600 mcg qd. Within days I noticed a difference. Within two weeks I had cut my Lexapro from 10 mg qd to 5 mg qd. Within 5 weeks I quit taking the Lexapro altogether. On a scale of 0-100, my carb cravings have dropped from a raging 100 to a very manageable 10. It is the most liberating experience. I thank God for freedom from those chains. Willpower never even entered into that equation. I continue with the therapy, will probably be there for several months more. But thanks to the Chromium I feel I now have real hope, a chance to go forward, do the work I need to do, heal and find real peace. In short, the effect of Chromium on my mental health has felt nothing short of miraculous.Thank you for your work and for allowing me to share that. VC

Dear VC

Thank you so much for contacting me. I have observed reduction in carbohydrate cravings in atypical depression in many patients, and this finding has been confirmed by a large, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Moreover, many of my patients, like you, have been able to decrease their antidepressant medications. You might want to add exercise to your regimen.

I read your report to a psychiatric resident whom I supervise. (A resident is a medical-school graduate who is specializing in a particular branch of medicine.) He was impressed and asked, "Why don't more people take chromium?" I told him it's because chromium is not an expensive drug that is "hyped" by big pharma.

I hope your testimonial and that of others will help the word "get around" so that others can be helped. For that reason I wrote Lifting Depression. The second edition will hit the shelves in July of 2009.

Thank you again for contacting me.
Malcolm McLeod, MD

Where Can I Find Chromax?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:03:00 +0000

Hi Dr. McLeod,

I was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes, with a fasting glucose of 150. I am working to control my BG through diet and exercise, and do not take any medication or insulin. I recently added 200 mg of Chromium Picolinate to my vitamins I take daily, and have been shocked to see my blood glucose drop into the non-diabetes range for a few hours whenever I take the supplement. After doing some research online, I am very interested in switching to Chromax to get the full benefit of CrPic. However, I have found in searching online that I cannot find Chromax at Costco, Target, Walgreens, etc, even though these stores are listed on the Chromax website. Is there a shortage of chromax due to its popularity?

Thank you,
M

Dear M,
I'm pleased that your blood sugar is being helped by chromium picolinate. Nutrition 21 recently started packaging Chromax under the label Nutrition 21 Iceland Health Chromax, so if you look on the shelves of many mass retailers, you will see Iceland Health Chromax. Try Walgreens. If you can't find it, please get back in touch and I'll see what I can do.
Malcolm McLeod

Does Chromium Cause Diabetes?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:07:00 +0000

QUESTION:
Hello,

My coach told me to take 400 mcg of chromium picolinate every night for one month to support weight loss. However my family have the history of diabetics type 2, I am not sure about taking chromium as weight loss supplement. It might make me diabetic? please help me out.

Thanks and Regards
S K

ANSWER:
Your coach is correct that chromium supports weight loss. Several of my patients have lost many pounds after beginning to take chromium. I think that's because chromium gives them more energy and enables them to exercise more.
Your coach is not correct on two points: 1) chromium does not cause diabetes. In fact there is some evidence that chromium delays or prevents the onset of diabetes. 2) Take chromium in the morning. If taken too late in the date, it may cause some difficulty in falling asleep.
Good luck, and thank you for contacting me. I would appreciate a followup.
Malcolm McLeod, MD

Can one take CrPic with Strattera and Wellbutrin?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:42:00 +0000

Hi Dr. McLeod,

Thank you so much for your terrific book and ongoing website & blog.

Here is my primary inquiry at this moment:

My 15 year-old daughter with ADHD and atypical depression is currently taking Strattera 80mg and Wellbutrin XL 300mg (she could not tolerate either stimulants or SSRIs) to decent effect on attention but only partial response on these depressive symptoms: intense sugar & carb cravings; continued rejection sensitivity; reactive moodiness. Her doctor, who sees her for a few minutes once every couple months for medication management only, has said “no problem” to trying the chromium picolinate, but I think mostly because my daughter is not in any crisis and he doesn’t expect the mineral to have any effect one way or the other!

So my question is, how does one go about gauging the effectiveness of Chromax when medications are also being taking? I don’t believe you overtly discuss this possibility in your book, but it occurs to us that if the mineral works, we could actually see negative effects resulting from taking medicines that are no longer needed. What should we be alert to as she begins to take the Chromax?

Thank you for your input,

J

Dear J,

None of my patients have taken both Chromax chromium picolinate and Strattera, so I cannot offer an opinion on that part of your question. I can tell you that several of my patients who have responded to Wellbutrin have had similar beneficial responses to Chromax and vice versa. I suspect that taking Chromax and Wellbutrin together would be more efficacious than either alone. And, yes, you might be able to decrease or discontinue her medications. But notes of caution: 1) if you decide to add Chromax to your daugher's regimen, start at a very low dose, say 50 micrograms daily, and increase gradually; and 2) continue to consult your daughter's psychiatrist to monitor for possible side effects, such as excessive activation and insomnia.

Thank you for your questions. Please let me know what you and your psychiatrist decide to do, and the outcome.

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Chromium and St. John's Wort

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Hi Dr. McLeod,

Lately I've been hearing much regarding the positives of taking chromium picolinate for minor depression. Can chromium picolinate be taking at the same time with St. John's Wort? I know, for example, that Xanax taken with St. John's Wort results in the Saint John's Wort removing the Xanax from the body faster, resulting in less absorption of the Xanax in the body. Are there any problems with taking chromium with Saint John's Wort, or chromium with Xanax?

Thanks,
Sam

ANSWER: I don't have enought experience with the combination of chromium picolinate and St. John's Wort (hypericum) to give you a certain answer, but I can tell you that three of my patients (two men and a woman) took the combination and felt awful. The woman's menstrual period was much more difficult than usual. After they stopped St. John's Wort and continued chromium, they felt much better.

I don't know the answer to your second question regarding taking chromium with Xanax.

I would surely welcome any future observation you have about your questions, so I can pass that info along to other readers.

To your good health,
Malcolm McLeod, MD

What Tme of Day Should I Take Chromium?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:18:00 +0000

Hi Dr. McLeod.

I just ordered a bottle of Chromax, 250 count, from Costco's. I noticed on the label it recommends one 500 mcg pill every day. Would taking 2 pills in one day (one in the morning/one at night) be harmful?

Thank you,
John

Hello John,

It's OK to take two 500 mcg tablet of Chromax per day. I would, however, take one tablet in the morning and a second no later than noon. The second pill should not be taken later than noon because taking it later in the day sometimes causes a little trouble falling asleep.

Thank you for your question. Please let me know the results.

Kind regards,

Malcolm McLeod

Chromium for Adjustment Disorder

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Dear Dr. McLeod,

My question concerns the use of chromium as a supplement for minor anxiety and slight depression resulting from the loss of my job a few weeks back. I've been taking Chromax brand Chromium Picolinate for approximately 12 days straight now, (once a day), but haven't noticed any change. Is chromium picolinate supposed to function like an anti-depressant in that the chromium will affect my overall mood, and can it be used with Saint John's Wort? I feel that I am in more of an emotional rut from losing my job than clinical depression.

Thank you, Dr. McLeod.

Steve

ANSWER:

Dear Steve,

Based on my limited understanding of your difficulties, it does not sound as if you have atypical depression, which responds to chromium. Rather it sounds as if you have what is termed Adjustment Reaction with Anxiety and Depression, which does not respond to chromium. I tend to agree with you that "I feel that I am in more of an emotional rut from losing my job than clinical depression." Your symptoms should clear within a few weeks after the job-loss stress has diminished.

The other point you raise is whether to take chromium with St. John's Wort. I would not suggest that, as several patients have reported that taking the two together makes them feel worse.

I suggest you stop taking St. John's Wort and taking chromium alone. Please let me know if this helps.

Rapidity of Response and Recurrence

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:10:00 +0000

Dr. McLeod,

I have recommended chromium picolinate to two friends (one male, one female) with good results -- both felt much more energetic and much more positive -- although because of safety concerns both are reluctant to go above 500 µg a day despite my assurances that this is perfectly acceptable.

In one case, my friend L has been able to return to work. My other friend -- a political scientist who -- despite being in the middle of a messy divorce -- finds that the Chromax keeps him on an even keel. He has even managed to reduce his antidepressant by half and reckons that when the divorce is finalised he will have the courage to stop it altogether to test whether it is still having a positive effect or not.

Interestingly, at one stage he ran out of the Chromax and his mood and energy levels deteriorated after about five days. He promptly bought another bottle of the supplement and notice how the energy started to flow again on the same day as taking a dose.
Regars and thanks,

S.C
ANSWER
Dear S.C.
Your friend's relapse in 5 days after stopping Chromax sounds very much like the case of George which I presented in Lifting Depression: The Chromium Connection. Just to briefly recap, George added a chromium-rich supplement to his onging antidepressant sertraline with dramatic improvement in one day. He had more enery and his appetite was curbed. I suggested he stop the supplement as a test of the efficacy of chromium. After he stopped the chromium supplement, his symptoms returned within a week. Based on George's rapid response and rapid return of symptoms after discontinuation of chromium, I decide on weekly segments for my initial single-blind studies. That is, he took various supplements for 5 days, Monday through Friday, and nothing on Saturday and Sunday. On the following Monday he would begin a new supplement, and so forth. The only ingredient he responsed to was chromium. In this way we determined the specificity of chromium.

Thank you for this interesting observation.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Can I substitute chromium for lithium?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:24:00 +0000

Hi Dr McLeod

Dear Dr. McLeod,
Dear Dr McLeod

I am based in the UK and am trying to locate a specialist in the UK with knowledge of conventional medicine and the merits of chromium. Basically I am on lithium and I want to work with somebody who understands conventional medicine and has an awareness of chromium with a view in the medium term to considering substituting one for the other - do you know anybody in the UK with this expertise?

I realise this may not be the type of question that you are happy to answer through the blog. If it was more appropriate, I would be happy to phone you regarding this and pay for a telephone consultation.

Look forward to hearing form you.

Best wishes
PS: I am well and have been well for over 4 years

ANSWER
I'm sure there are many people in the UK who meets your criteria, but I don't know them personally.

As to your second question - whether to substitute chromium for lithium - there is not enough data to answer your question. I do have one patient, himself a physician, who stopped lithium and started chromium with great results. He has been on chromium alone for a decade and his mood has been stable.

If you should decide to substitute chromium for lithium, or add chromium to ongoing lithium therapy, please do so only under the close supervision and guidance of a psychiatrist, who would be able to pick up any early symptoms of depression or mania.

Please let me know what you decide to do and the results. Yours is a most important question and one I've thought about many times, and would like more information on this topic.

Kind regards,

Malcolm N. McLeod, MD

Might my husband have atypical depression?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:25:00 +0000

QUESTION:
Dear Dr. McLeod,

My husband has been suffering from a chronic form of depression. Recently I read your book. I bought three copies so that I could share them with people I know. In my view he meets almost all of the criteria for atypical depression, although his depression has not been diagnosed as such. His mood often swings. He can look happy and normal when we meet our friends, but he gets into a bad mood the moment we leave our friends and get into our car. He is extremely sensitive to what I say and is easily hurt. The other day I just asked him for his help regarding our son’s school issues. Then he emotionally exploded, became angry and hostile at me, and withdrew from our relationship. It seems he felt blamed for not being a good father. He seems to be extremely sensitive at work, too, especially in relation to his boss and a few of his colleagues. He manages to keep his job for about one to three years, but eventually gets laid off or fired. He sleeps very long hours. He currently works flexible hours, so he usually takes two naps during the day, for about two to four hours in total. At night he goes to bed at about 10:30pm and wakes up at 7am. During weekends he sleeps even longer. The other Sunday he was awake for only eight hours of the day and slept for 16 hours! He is always tired and never seems to feel rested. It is very difficult for him to get out of his bed. It is difficult for us to go out and do various activities in the weekend, because he is usually too tired. He often overeats. It is as though he cannot control his appetite. He eats irregularly, often eating snacks during meals. There were many times when I opened the kitchen cupboard or the freezer to find that a whole bag of tortilla chips or a box of cookies or ice cream were gone, suddenly overnight! These days he likes eating bread. He cannot live without soft drinks and keeps a dozen of two litter diet coke bottles in the garage. He also eats a very large amount of fruits. He struggles to lose weight but he never m
anages to.

Do you think my husband has atypical depression? Do you think chromium would work for him?

Thank you,

N.

ANSWER:
Dear N.
It sounds as if your husband might have atypical depression and a trial of Iceland Health Chromax chromium picolinate is indicated. But first I would suggest he be evaluated by his healthcare professional to rule out other possibilities.

If he agrees to a trail of chromium, please let me know the results.

Malcolm McLeod, MD

Where is Chromax?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:15:00 +0000

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. McLeod,
I'm upset because I can't find Chromax. It has helped me so much with my depression and carb cravings. Not being able to find it frightens me. What has happened to Chromax chromium picolinate?

A.F.

ANSWER:
Dear A. F.
Several people have asked me this same question, including my friends and neighbors. The Chromax chromium picolinate you are familiar with was packaged in a red and blue box. It has been repackaged as Iceland Health Chromax chromium picolinate. It's the same excellent Chromax by Nutrition21 that you are used to. The Chromax is the same. Only the packaging has changed. This was done to reduce advertising costs.

To see a picture of the newly packaged Chromax, click on this link.

Thank you for your question.
Malcolm McLeod

Can chromium help Bipolar 1 disorder?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Malcolm McLeod) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:09:00 +0000

QUESTION:

I've read about Chromium helping with atypical depression and have been
referred to you by my sister. I have Bipolar Disorder Type 1. Is
Chromium harmful for people with bipolar disorder? Can it cause mania?
Can it cause rapid cycling?

Thanks for your help.

Mike

ANSWER:
I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to your question. I wish there were a large study comparing mood-stabilizing agents (for example lithium) with chromium, but there is not.

If you decide to taper off of lithium and substitute chromium, please do so ONLY under the close supervision of your healthcare professional. Please let me know what you decide to do and the results.

Thank you.
Malcolm McLeod, MD