Scientists have demonstrated that minerals in picolinate form are many times more assimilable than other forms of these minerals. Chromium polynicotinate is an equally well assimilated form which may have even less toxicity and more benefits for certain conditions than does the picolinate form. Another study on chromium polynicotinate in rats prevented the sucrose-induced elevation of systolic blood pressure and decreased measures of lipid peroxidation. Chromium also reduces blood sugar. High levels of blood sugar can contribute to aging via a destructive process known as glycosylation, in which sugar molecules bind to amino acids to interfere with cell function.
Diabetics exhibit an increase in glycosylation which can lead to atherosclerosis .
Chromium enhances the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar levels, which helps diabetics . Chromium can also produce anabolic effects similar to the effect of steroids, without any of the side effects.