Chromium, Consumer Alert, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity

Consumer Alert: Chromium

Few people are deficient in chromium, but supplements may be helpful for some people with diabetes.  It’s also commonly found in weight loss products, where it may provide a small benefit.

ConsumerLab.com tested 6 product to see if the tablets contained what was listed on the bottles.

First, the details.

  • Here are the products tested.
    • Dexatrim
    • DiaSense
    • FoodScience of Vermont
    • GNC
    • Hydroxycut
    • Mega-T Green Tea
    • Metabolife
    • Natural Factors

And, the results.

  • 3 out of 6 were contaminated with a cancer causing form of chromium known as hexavalent chromium (chromium VI).

The bottom line?

Hexavalent chromium was at the center of the movie Erin Brockovich.

If you’re going to take a supplement with chromium, it seems prudent to skip those with the hexavalent form, concluded ConsumerLab.com.

3/3/10 21:15 JR