Chromium picolinate may improve cognitive function.

Nutrition 21, Purchase, NY, recently revealed the results of a clinical study that showed daily supplementation with 1000 mcg of chromium as chromium picolinate improved cognitive function in older adults experiencing early memory decline. The results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were presented to the medical community at a neurological meeting.

Blood circulation and nutrient flow to the brain decrease as a result of aging, which can affect cognition. Previous studies have shown that chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity, which allows glucose, the brain's main "fuel," to be processed more efficiently.

In this study, investigators used Nutrition 21's proprietary chromium picolinate found in Core4Life Advanced Memory Formula, a nutritional supplement specifically formulated to improve brain health. Core4Life Advanced Memory Formula contains a unique combination of chromium picolinate, phosphatidylserine (PS) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study measured whether supplementation with chromium picolinate over a 12-week period might improve cognitive function in 21 adults aged 65 years and older with early memory decline. Study participants were asked to learn a list of words presented over several learning trials and, after a delay, were asked to remember the words. Those receiving the chromium picolinate supplement showed a trend for reduced interference from irrelevant words on the memory task. In addition, on another task assessing fine motor control and speed, the subjects receiving chromium picolinate exhibited enhanced motor speed relative to those receiving placebo.