October 25, 2005 – According to the results of a recent pilot test1, a chromium supplement may be helpful in treating atypical depression.
Atypical depression, which is said to strike up to 42% of people with depression, is characterized by mood swings and at least two of the following symptoms: weight gain, increased need for sleep, feeling of heaviness, hypersensitivity to rejection. Usually, patients with this type of depressive state have cravings for foods high in carbohydrates (sugar and starch). They constantly feel tired for no apparent reason.
Conventional antidepressants and antipsychotics are usually ineffective or of little use in people with atypical depression, in whom they can even exacerbate cravings.
The researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial over an eight-week period with 110 subjects suffering from atypical depression. 70 of them gave 600 µg (micrograms) per day of chromium picolinate, while the other 40 patients received a placebo.
Overall, the chromium supplement was not found to be more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of depression, but it did significantly help reduce cravings and mood swings.
Researchers believe chromium can improve insulin metabolism. The subjects who took this supplement, in this trial, had fewer cravings for high-carbohydrate foods and fewer mood swings, a symptom associated with insulin resistance.
These results are preliminary. The authors of the study also point out that other tests are necessary before concluding that chromium can really help people with depression who tend to binge eat.
Note that this trial received financial support from the American firm Nutrition 21, manufacturer of the chromium picolinate used in the study. Two of the researchers are even employed by this company which is very active in research on the therapeutic effects of chromium.
Chromium picolinate supplements are not officially authorized for sale in Canada. It is, on the other hand, in the United States. However, Health Canada appears to tolerate trade in it since the product can be found in health food stores as well as on the Internet.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health and MedScape.
1. Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving. J Psychiatr Pract. 2005 Sep; 11 (5): 302-14.
