Posted by Molitor on December 2, 2007, at 14:12:43
In reply to Re: Chromium ?? (+Nardil weight loss!?), posted by bleauberry on December 2, 2007, at 12:14:37
> I don't think chromium picolinate helped my depression. Maybe a bit, hard to tell. It did seem to have a slight noradrenergic boost to it. I did not find it calming at all, but rather activating in a bit of an uncomfortable way.
>
> Heavy metal burden, deficiency in the diet, etc are reasons why chromium may need to be supplemented. It is involved in many body/brain functions. Most notably it is involved in stabilizing blood sugar levels. Peaks and valleys in blood sugar, usually from a hapharzard diet, cause receptors in glands and brain to become over-senstive or under-senstive and throw feedback loops out of whack. All of that affects what goes on in the brain. Chromium can smooth out the peaks and valleys and help to restore sensitivities and feedback loops closer to where they should be. Ultimately though, especially for psychiatric patients, I think it is extremely, I mean extremely, important to plan what they eat with a strong strategy and purpose.
>
> Chromium has been suspected of being a good friend in treating depression for decades, usually added to an ongoing antidepressant. Why and how I don't know, but my first guess would be it has something to do with the intricate blood sugar/receptor sensitivity thing.The problem is, nearly everything has been touted as helping depression at one time or another. Having some actual science to support it, even if they don't know why it works, makes it more encouraging than the usual herb-of-the-week.
Being cheap, readily available, and no apparent negatives, is nice too. I've been taking 500mgs since I started parnate a few weeks back, just to head off any potential carb-cravings. I can't tell if it's doing anything, perhaps because the pills are too small physically. Maybe if it was more expensive and I had to take five horsepills, three times a day, I'd feel it was more effective. :)
poster:Molitor
thread:798243
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071125/msgs/798292.html