Diabetes is a common ailment in domestic cats. In fact, it is the most common ailment they suffer from. Many owners of diabetic cats choose to give daily doses of the dietary supplement chromium picolinate to their pet.
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Function
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Chromium picolinate is used to treat symptoms of diabetes in both humans and animals, and to improve metabolism, allowing for weight loss.
Features
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This compound substance consists of chromium, a trace mineral needed for metabolism, combined with picolinic acid, which helps the body extract minerals from food and absorb them into the bloodstream.
Effects
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Results of studies published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics in 2007 show that in diabetic humans, chromium picolate helps bring down blood glucose levels, as well as insulin resistance. In diabetic cats, it is used to improve insulin sensitivity.
Dosage
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In cats, the dosage used to treat the symptoms of diabetes is usually 200 micrograms, administered daily.
Warning
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Chromium picolinate has been linked to a slightly increased risk of kidney disease in a small sample of studies in humans, and may theoretically increase the same risk in cats.
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