Taking Chromium Supplements with Other Medications
Health and Fitness - Health Issues
Written by Peter D Vizard   
Wednesday, 17 September 2008 17:27
Unlike years past, we're lucky that, in today's modern world, we can purchase vitamins and nutritional supplements in stores and online to help us improve and maintain our health. Since our fast-paced world of picking up snacks and hamburgers to go doesn't always allow us to consume the necessary amount of nutrients we need, the right kind of vitamins and supplements are increasingly important to our bodies.
by PeterDVizard


Unlike years past, we're lucky that, in today's modern world, we can purchase vitamins and nutritional supplements in stores and online to help us improve and maintain our health. Since our fast-paced world of picking up snacks and hamburgers to go doesn't always allow us to consume the necessary amount of nutrients we need, the right kind of vitamins and supplements are increasingly important to our bodies.

Before taking chromium supplements, you should know that taking them along with your medications can pose some health risks. Fortunately, people who do so have experienced very few side effects. Still, it would be wise to pay attention to the medications you are taking alongside these chromium supplements. If you are not careful, these chromium supplements may interact with the effectiveness of your medication especially when they are taken regularly. In order to avoid this, it would be wise to speak with your pharmacist or doctor to seek advice on how chromium supplements can affect your medication.

For guidance, here are some of the medications that might affect the acid balance in your stomach and might even result to chromium loss: corticosteroids, antacids, H2 blockers (including famotidine, cimetidine and nizatidine), proton pump inhibitors (including omeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole) and antacids. On the other hand, medications such as nicotinic acid, insulin, prostaglandin inhibitors (including aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen and indomethacin), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and beta blockers can actually enhance the absorption of chromium.

To help you understand this issue better, here are some of the medications that may have an effect on the delicate acid balance within your stomach, and can result in the loss of essential chromium in your body: corticosteroids, antacids (prescribed or over the counter), H2 blockers like famotidine, cimetidine, and nizatidine, proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole. On the contrary, there are medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen and indomethacin, plus nicotinic acid, insulin, prostaglandin inhibitors and beta blockers that enhance chromium absorption into your body. Note that these are generic names, not brand names; ask your physician or pharmacist to help you distinguish between the two names so you're aware of exactly what medication you're taking and its effects on the use of chromium supplements.

Chromium supplements are increasingly popular, making up about 5.65% of all mineral supplements sold in stores and online today. Through your doctor's advice, you may safely take chromium in its many chemical forms such as chromium picolinate, high-chromium yeast, chromium chloride, and chromium citrate. In addition to taking good quality supplements, you should eat foods that contain essential chromium like meat, poultry, dairy products, seafood, grain, fruits and vegetables. When you take a chromium supplement to bolster your food intake, the supplement should contain between 50 and 200 micrograms of chromium. Some safety issues of using chromium for management of type 2 diabetes, increasing energy, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress have not yet been established via medical research, so remember to consult your physician before taking a chromium supplement.

Buying chromium supplements is actually simple as long as you purchase them from reputable sellers. For added convenience, you can always check these sellers website and maybe they also sell these chromium supplements online. You will be assured of genuine products and you will also enjoy security and reliability. All it will take is providing your credit card details in order to pay for your purchase. As soon as the transaction is approved, you will only have to wait for the chromium supplement to be delivered to your doorstep.

About the Author:

 

Search Knowledge Base