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I have had moderate/severe acne for about 5 years(19 now) It has caused me a great deal of depression, i've tried many things in the past( creams, cleansers, diet changes, various other supplements) but to no avail.
Around a month ago, i started using chromium picolinate at around 800mg-1000mg. It virtually rid of my acne(around 90-95%.)
I was so pleased with the results, however, about a week in my hair started getting REALLY thin and frail looking. At the rate it's going i'll have the hair of a 70 year old by the end of the year.
I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and what can i do about it?
I have read that chromium interferes with zinc and iron absorption, perhaps this is the cause? Any help is really appreciated, thanks.
I would reduce or stop chromium altogether. Supplement with zinc (just 1 tablet a day, maybe around 30mg) and eat red meats. If it works, it'll take months to see the effects because new hair has to grow in.
Thanks for the reply, i will start supplementing with zinc, and eating more red meats(already eating a fair amount.) I'll be reducing chromium dosage to around 200mg per day, although its much less effective. I will stop the chromium if there absolutely no way to counter the hair loss, but i want to avoid stopping as it would bring me back to square one, it has been a life saver(minus the hair loss)
Is there no possible way to have the best of both worlds? chromium and hair? If not is there any other suitable replacement i could try(alpha lipoic acid stops around 40%, but stops working after a month or two for some reason)
i really feel like chromium is my last shot after trying many many things.
Vitamin D can indirectly help with hair loss. Biotin helps too, but can cause more acne. Chromium is supposed to be really good for acne, but the hair loss is a reported side effect unfortunately. You could try reducing chromium and taking it in the morning, then take zinc at night or vice versa to make sure chromium won't interfere with zinc.
Vitamin D can indirectly help with hair loss. Biotin helps too, but can cause more acne. Chromium is supposed to be really good for acne, but the hair loss is a reported side effect unfortunately. You could try reducing chromium and taking it in the morning, then take zinc at night or vice versa to make sure chromium won't interfere with zinc.
This.
B vitamins help with hair, skin, and nails. They make a supplement for this. Although, its counter productive causing acne in some.
Let this be a warning to others. Your actions do not go with consequences; be careful.
Thanks for both replies, going to try various doses of zinc and iron at different times to see if it helps. noticed less shedding and healthier looking hair when using 150mg zinc /day, i know this is a lot more than the RDA but my thinking is that if the chromium is inhibiting absorption of zinc, i'm not at risk of overdosing?
I will update the thread on my progress anyhow, hopefully help some people that are also experiencing this side effect.
