From the Experts

Candy Drilon

Medical Student

Former chromium supplement consumer

1. Have you ever heard of chromium supplements (e.g. chromium picolinate)?

YES

2. What do you know of its benefits?

It’s suppose to help with weight loss

3. What is it primarily marketed for?

For weight loss

4. Have you ever tried chromium supplements? Please specify exact preparation.

Yes

1. If yes, for what purpose?

To speed up my weight loss

2. Was it beneficial?

Not really. I tried it for 2 months with diet and exercise. Then I stopped it and continued my diet and exercise regimen. I lost the same weight with and without chromium in the same amount of time.

3. Did you experience any side effects?

No side effects for me.

5. Will you ever recommend this to your future patients? Kindly elaborate.

Possibly. It depends on what results they’re looking for. Some studies have shown that chromium supplementation can help with weight maintenance in the long run. But if they’re looking for fast weight loss effect, I wouldn’t recommend chromium.

Dr. Stephanie Fay Cagayan

OB-GYN

Associate Professor at the UP College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Lecturer (Pharmacology) Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health

1. Have you ever heard of chromium supplements (e.g. chromium picolinate)?

Yes

2. What do you know of its benefits?

It is a naturally occurring trace element in the body needed for varied physiologic functions.

3. What is it primarily marketed for?

Dietary supplement for weight loss and muscle building

4. Have you ever tried chromium supplements? Please specify exact preparation.

No

5. Have you ever recommended chromium supplements to your past patients?

No. As of now because there is not enough body of evidence supporting its claim of efficacy for varied conditions and the body produces it in sufficient amounts that there is rare occurrence of deficiency of this element

Dr. Leticia Ibanez-Guzman

Gastroenterologist

Active Consultant, UP-PGH Department of Medicine, Gastroentorology

Lecturer (Gastroentorology) Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health

1. Have you ever heard of chromium supplements (e.g. chromium picolinate)?

Yes

2. What do you know of its benefits?

It improves the efficiency of insulin

3. What is it primarily marketed for?

Weight loss

4. Have you ever tried chromium supplements? Please specify exact preparation.

No

5. Have you ever recommended chromium supplements to your past patients?

No. I need to get more information on the drug and evidence of effectiveness

Dr. Manuel Cuenca, Jr.

Anesthesiologist

Lecturer (Pharmacology) Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health

1. Have you ever heard of chromium supplements (e.g. chromium picolinate)?

Yes, but not too familiar with it.

2. What do you know of its benefits?

It is supposed to increase your metabolism, stimulate and promote weight reduction. But I know that these “facts” are not conclusive, and may even be controversial.

3. What is it primarily marketed for?

For weight loss and to “improve” body composition.

4. Have you ever tried chromium supplements? Please specify exact preparation.

No.

5. Have you ever recommended chromium supplements to your past patients?

No. Most researches done are not conclusive. Chromium supplements may even do more harm to our bodies.