Douglas Chromium is a trace element supplement that contains chromium bound to nicotinic acid (chromium poly-nicotinate). Each capsule provides 200 mcg of chromium in its non-toxic trivalent form. Once in the body, the biologically active form of chromium is also referred to as glucose tolerance factor (GTF) as chromium provides support for healthy glucose metabolism. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is suggested that chromium interacts with the amino acids glycine, cysteine, glutamate, and aspartic acid in the form of low-molecular-weight chromium (LMWCr) binding substance, which then attaches to insulin receptors in the body when there is a spike of insulin in the body.
Chromium is generally accepted as an essential trace mineral that potentiates insulin action and thus influences carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Chromium absorption is typically less than 2% efficient and variable depending on its form. Studies have demonstrated that chromium from Chromium-GTF has a higher bioavailability than other chromium compounds, such as chromium picolinate or chloride. Furthermore, tissues retained anywhere from 2 to 8 times more chromium from Chromium-GTF compared to other sources.