Posted by Larry Hoover on June 15, 2004, at 9:28:44
In reply to Re: Chromium Picolinate Study w/ Atypical Depression, posted by Charm on June 14, 2004, at 9:50:59
> Hello Lar!
>
> Thanks so much for the feedback! Would you please tell me what a "counter ion" is? I'm unfamiliar with this term.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> CharmMinerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, etc., can be in two forms. One is a salt, which is an ionic complex. The other is a covalent compound.
Here's an example. Magnesium oxide is a covalent compound. The oxygen and magnesium share a chemical bond. An actual chemical reaction is required to liberate magnesium ions (e.g. with hydrochloric acid in the stomach). That's a reason why mag oxide is not the preferred supplement form.
An ionic complex goes by the more common name "salt". Most people think table salt, but there are all kinds of salts. An example, again using magnesium, is magnesium chloride. The magnesium is already an ion, and so is the chloride. They're held together by weaker forces, more like weak magnets. Salts (generally) readily dissolve in water, so no chemical reaction is required to liberate the magnesium. The ion we're interested in is the magnesium, (Mg++), so the other one (which could be lots of different things) is called the counter-ion (in this case, chloride(-)).
Now, as to chromium picolinate. That is a salt formed from chromium ions and the ionic form of picolinic acid. Picolinate has some toxic effects, apparently. So, choosing a different chromium salt, but still maintaining your dose at around 1,000 mcg chromium, might be safer. Chelated chromium is fairly commonly available.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:355726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/356863.html