Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

1,000 mcg a day. Increased dietary sugar may be asso-
ciated with higher urinary excretion of chromium.

Interactions

Persons who are taking antacids are advised to
talk with a physician before taking chromium supple-
ments. Studies in animals suggest that antacids, espe-
cially those containing calcium carbonate, may reduce
the body’s ability to absorb chromium. Studies have
shown that chromium may enhance the effectiveness
of drugs taken by people who have type 2 diabetes or
insulin resistance. These drugs include glimepiride,
glipizide, glyburide, insulin, and metformin. Individu-
als taking these drugs should discuss chromium sup-
plementation with a physician because improved
insulin function may necessitate medication dosage
changes.

Complications

Several studies have noted occasional reports of
irregular heartbeats with chromium use. Infrequently,
chromium has been reported to cause such sleep pat-
tern changes as insomnia and increased dream activity.
Irritability has also been reported. In rare instances,
persons may be allergic to a chromium formula. The
symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty
breathing, chest pain, hives, rash, and itchy or swollen
skin. If this happens, the patient is advised to seek
medical care immediately. High doses may also cause
liver and kidney damage, or gastric irritation, although
these side effects are rare.

Resources

BOOKS
Brown, Donald J.Herbal Prescriptions for Health and
Healing: Your Everyday Guide to Using Herbs Safely
and Effectively. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press, 2003.
Evans, Gary.All About Chromium Picolinate: Frequently
Asked Questions. Garden City Park, NY: Avery, 1999.
Icon Health Publications.Chromium Picolinate: A Medical
Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide
to Internet References. San Diego, CA: Icon Health
Publications, 2003.
Kamen, Betty.The Chromium Connection: A lesson in
Nutrition. Novato, CA: Nutrition Encounter Inc., 1995.
Passwater, Richard A.Chromium Picolinate. New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books; Reprint
Edition, 1995.

PERIODICALS
Biotech Week Editors and Staff. ‘‘Company Seeks FDA
Approval of Health Claims for Chromium.’’Biotech
Week. (January 28, 2004): 308.
‘‘Chromium.’’ UC Berkeley Wellness Letter(July 2003): 3.

Drug Week Editors and Staff. ‘‘Chromium Picolinate May

Benefit Patients with Insulin Resistance.’’Drug Week.

(December 26, 2003): 121.

Drug Week Editors and Staff. ‘‘Research: Lower Chromium

Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Disease.’’Drug

Week. (April 2, 2004): 263.

Lamson, Davis W., and Steven M. Plaza. ‘‘The Safety and

Efficacy of High-Dose Chromium.Alternative Medicine

Review. (June 2002): 218–236.

Lydic, Michael L., et al. ‘‘Effects of Chromium Supplemen-

tation on Insulin Sensitivity and Reproductive Func-

tion in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Pilot Study.’’

Fertility and Sterility (Supplement 3). (September

2003): 45–46.

Volpe, Stella L., et al. ‘‘Effect of Chromium Supplementation

and Exercise on Body Composition, Resting Metabolic

Rate, and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Moder-

ately Obese Women Following an Exercise Program.’’

Journal of the American College of Nutrition. (August

2001): 293–306.

Ward, Elizabeth M. ‘‘Top 10 Supplements for Men.’’Men’s

Health. (December 2003): 106.

Ken R. Wells

Cleveland Clinic 3-day diet

Definition

The Cleveland Clinic three-day diet is a very low-

calorie diet (VLCD) or quick weight loss program

intended to be followed, as the name indicates, for

three days. There are certain foods (e.g., specific veg-

etables, hot dogs, vanilla ice cream, and saltine crack-

ers) that the dieter must eat on specific days during the

three-day period, although some versions of the diet

allow substitutions. Most Internet versions of this diet

promise a 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight loss over the first three

days, or 40 lb (18 kg) if the diet is followed for a month.

The Cleveland Clinic diet plan is primarily available

on the Internet.

A number of other three-day diets share similar

concepts as the Cleveland Clinic version, some of

which are derived from other healthcare institutions

or the military:

Cardiac diet

Birmingham Hospital cardiac unit diet

American Heart Association (AHA) diet

Three-day Army diet

Three-day Navy diet

Hot dog diet (or hot dog and ice cream diet)

Kaiser three-day diet

Cleveland Clinic 3-day diet