The two compounds, Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate are both Chromium complexes and there exists a difference between Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate based on their chemical components. Chromium has a direct relationship with diabetes as Chromium is supposed to help diabetes. Chromium is an essential mineral for our body, but only in small quantities. These two compounds can be considered as nutrient supplements of Chromium. However, it is said that Chromium Polynicotinate is the most safest and absorbable form of Chromium. The key difference between Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate is Chromium Picolinate contains Picolinic acid while Chromium Polynicotinate contains Niacin acid. However, neither picolinic acid nor niacin helps with diabetes; it is Chromium that helps with this problem.
What is Chromium Picolinate?
Chromium picolinate is a chemical compound that is taken as a nutrient supplement to treat type II diabetes, and it also helps to lose weight. It is a pinkish-red, extremely water soluble compound. Similar to other Chromium containing compounds, this is relatively inert and does not react with others; in other words, it is a stable chemical compound at ambient conditions. It can decompose at high temperatures. It is a Chromium (Cr-III) complex and hydrolyzes to release free Cr3+ and picolinic acid at low pH levels.
The main reason behind the production of Chromium picolinate as a capsule is, most adults in the USA have a deficiency of mineral Chromium. Chromium cannot be readily absorbed from food, and it is difficult to absorb from most nutritional supplements too. As a solution to this problem; the US Department of Agriculture developed and produced Chromium picolinate as a readily absorbed version of Chromium.
What is Chromium Polynicotinate?
Chromium Polynicotinate is a commercially available Chromium supplement. It is bioavailable and considered as the most absorbable and safest form of Chromium. It helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the human body. As Chromium is an essential trace mineral in the human body which facilitates insulin action, it also stimulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. And also, it is helpful with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and post-meal fatigue.
What is the difference between Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate?
Definition of Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate
Chromium Picolinate: Chromium Picolinate is a chemical compound derived from Chromium (Cr) and picolinic acid.
Chromium Polynicotinate: Chromium Polynicotinate is a chemical compound derived from Chromium and Niacin.
Production of Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate
Chromium Picolinate: Chromium Picolinate is made from chromium (Cr) and picolinic acid.
Chromium Polynicotinate: The two components used to make Chromium Polynicotinate (poly-nick-o-tin-ate) are Chromium and Niacin. Niacin helps to absorb Chromium. Therefore, this is considered as the best absorbable chromium source.
Benefits and Side Effects of Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate
Benefits:
Chromium Picolinate: This is also an effective Chromium supplement, and it is efficient against diabetes, hypoglycemia, and high cholesterol. For an adult, the daily standard dose of Chromium picolinate is 200 micrograms.
Chromium Polynicotinate: This is more effective than any other type of Chromium supplements. Because it binds elemental Chromium to niacin (Vitamin B-3). It provides biologically active form of Chromium. It is more absorbable in the human body.
Side Effects:
Chromium Picolinate: If Chromium Picolinate overdoses; it may cause diarrhea, blood in your urine or stools, or coughing up blood. In addition, it can cause thinking or concentrating problems, problems with balance and liver problems.
Chromium Polynicotinate: When the recommended dose exceeds, it can cause side effects such as headaches, insomnia, sleep disturbances, irritability and mood changes. Serious effects may include anemia and liver dysfunction.
Image Courtesy:
“Chromium(III) nicotinate skeletal” by Anypodetos – Own work. (CC0) via Commons
“Chromium picolinate” by Edgar181 – Own work.(Public Domain) via Commons