Chromagic?

Related Terms

Biotin, Brantford and Stratford Herbal Magic?, ChromagicT, chromium, chromium picolinate, Herbal Magic?, vanadium, vitamin B6, WM-2000T.

Background

ChromagicT, manufactured by Herbal Magic?, is a dietary supplement that contains chromium, vanadium, biotin, and vitamin B6.
According to manufacturer data, ChromagicT is designed to assist in weight loss, proper insulin functioning, and blood sugar regulation. It may also help decrease appetite and sugar cravings, increase muscle mass, regulate cholesterol, and help break down carbohydrates, fats, and protein. However, sufficient evidence on the safety and effectiveness is currently unavailable to make a conclusion on the use of ChromagicT for these indications.
Some research is available on the individual ingredients in ChromagicT.

Theory / Evidence

General: According to manufacturer data, ChromagicT is designed to assist in weight loss, proper insulin functioning, and blood sugar regulation. It may help decrease appetite and sugar cravings, increase muscle mass, regulate cholesterol, and assist in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. However, available evidence supporting these claims is lacking.
Some research is available on the individual ingredients.
Chromium: The main ingredient, chromium, is an essential trace element typically found in foods, such as egg yolks, coffee, green beans, nuts, and whole-grain products.
Good evidence supports the use of chromium for the treatment of diabetes and high blood sugar levels. It may also help regulate blood sugar levels in patients with low blood sugar disorders. Additionally, chromium picolinate may help improve glucose tolerance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, chromium does not appear to alter hormones.
Chromium has also been suggested as beneficial for bipolar disorder, bone loss (in postmenopausal women), heart disease, cognitive function, depression, glucose intolerance, high cholesterol, immune disorders, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. However, research in these areas is unclear or conflicting.
Although chromium may help improve lean body mass (by reducing fat and increasing muscle), available evidence suggests that it may not be an effective therapy for obesity.
Vanadium: Some research suggests that vanadium may have insulin-mimetic effects. Long-term treatment was shown to decrease blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. However, the potential short and long-term vanadium toxicity has slowed the acceptance of this agent for medicinal use.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B-6 is involved in many bodily functions and is an essential metabolite in humans. Vitamin B-6 is available in many forms, including pryidoxal, pyridoxine, and pyridoxamine.
Strong evidence supports the use of vitamin B6 for hereditary sideroblastic anemia, cycloserine side effects, pyridoxine deficiency, and pyridoxine-dependent seizures in newborns.
It has also bee suggested as possibly beneficial for akathisia, angioplasty, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), birth outcomes, cancer prevention, heart disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, hyperkinetic cerebral dysfunction syndrome, immune function, kidney stones, lactation suppression, pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, PMS, preventing vitamin B6 deficiency associated with birth control pills, and tardive dyskinesia. However, evidence of effectiveness is unclear or conflicting in these areas.
Some evidence suggests that vitamin B6 may aid in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Preliminary studies indicate that vitamin B-6 may have antioxidant effects. However, additional research is needed before conclusions can be made in these areas.
Available evidence suggests that vitamin B6 may not improve autism or prevent stroke recurrence.
Biotin: Biotin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin involved in the break down of lipids and carbohydrates and production of energy. Without biotin, certain enzymes do not work properly, resulting in various complications involving the skin, intestinal tract, and nervous system.
Strong evidence supports the use of biotin for biotin deficiency and biotin-responsive inborn errors of metabolism.
In early research, biotin has been reported to decrease insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance, which are both properties that may be beneficial in patients with type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests that when combined with chromium, biotin may improve glycemic control in overweight type 2 diabetic patients. However, there is not enough human evidence to form a clear conclusion in this area.
Biotin has also been suggested as beneficial for brittle fingernails, heart disease, hepatitis (in alcoholics), and pregnancy supplementation. However, evidence is unclear of conflicting in these areas.

Author information

This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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