R U Dying To Lose Weight

[Guest guest]

I thnk some of us on the list are taking Chromium supplements....

Where is Brockivich When you REALLY need her?

" TRIMSPA X32 and Life Extension Chromium 200 mcg Caps were both found to

contain relatively high levels of hexavalent chromium, a potential carcinogen

and toxin. "

Are you DYING to lose weight??

Consumer labs

http://www.consumerlab.com

Product Review: Chromium -

Initial Posting: 11/15/05

What It Is:

Chromium is an essential trace mineral, meaning that your body needs small

amounts of it.

What It Does:

Chromium is important for insulin function. Chromium picolinate may help some

people with type 2 diabetes decrease fasting blood glucose levels as well as

levels of insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Chromium may also produce

modest weight loss, although the evidence is mixed. (See Review of Weight Loss

Supplements for other ingredients used for weight loss). Chromium may increase

high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels when these levels are lowered by use of

beta-blockers.

Quality Concerns and What CL Tested For:

Neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests

supplements for quality prior to sale. Yet, there are potential problems that

can exist with chromium supplements:

Amount of key ingredient:

It is important to know that a product contains the ingredients that it claims.

Too little and your may not get the expected effect and waste money. Too much,

and you may experience negative effects. In fact, there have been case reports

of toxicity with doses of chromium over 600 mcg per day, and even rare reports

at doses over 200 mcg per day. Consequently, the amount of chromium was measured

in all products.

Contaminants:

Chromium (VI) (hexavalent chromium)

is a more toxic form of chromium than the one our bodies require, which is

trivalent chromium or chromium (III). Hexavalent chromium does not occur in

significant amounts naturally but is formed as a by-product of industry. It is

used in the chemical and welding industries. Ingesting large amounts of chromium

(VI) can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage,

and even death. Chromium (VI) is also a carcinogen - it is the form of chromium

implicated as causing cancers in the movie Brockovich. While it should not

normally be found in chromium supplements, it has been known to occur as a

contaminant. Consequently, all of the chromium products were tested for levels

of chromium (VI).

Lead

is found as a contaminant in a small percentage of supplements - particularly

those made with mineral or herbal ingredients. In children, infants, and

fetuses, even low levels of lead can adversely affect neurobehavioral

development and cognitive function. In adults, lead at somewhat higher levels

can cause elevated blood pressure, anemia, and adversely affect the nervous and

reproductive systems. Consequently, all of the products were tested for levels

of lead.

Ability to break apart:

Products that cannot properly disintegrate (break apart) may not fully deliver

their ingredients. Consequently, all products in tablet (or caplet) form

underwent disintegration testing.

Caffeine:

Caffeine is commonly found in weight loss supplements - added directly or from

herbal ingredients such as kola nut, green tea, guarana, and Yerba maté. The

total amount of caffeine in supplements is often not disclosed. Because of

caffeine's potential side effects, it is useful to know the amount of caffeine

in a daily dose. Consequently, caffeine levels were determined for any product

labeled to contain caffeine or caffeine-containing herbs.

What CL Found:

Testing revealed the following:

EZ-Trim contained only 25% of its chromium - despite the fact that its label has

a " cGMP certified " seal and indicates that it is " laboratory tested " and made

with " pharmaceutical grade ingredients. " It also contained 180 mg of caffeine

per daily serving, equal to 4.5 cans of cola.

TRIMSPA X32 provided 42% more chromium than claimed, yielding 641 mcg of

chromium per maximum daily serving. This is a high dose and is of concern

because liver and kidney toxicity have been associated with long-term daily use

of amounts over 600 mg. This product also contained 346 mg of caffeine

(equivalent to 8.6 cans of cola) in a maximum daily serving.

TRIMSPA X32 and Life Extension Chromium 200 mcg Caps were both found to

contain relatively high levels of hexavalent chromium, a potential carcinogen

and toxin. To pass the testing, ConsumerLab.com required products to have no

more than 0.1% of their total chromium in this form. In these two products, 0.4%

and 3.8%, respectively, of the total chromium was hexavalent chromium. It is not

known whether these amounts are sufficient to cause harm, but it seems prudent

to avoid such exposure.