A substance called “chromium picolinate” could offer...

A substance called “chromium picolinate” could offer athletes a safe alternative to anabolic steroids, according to Gary Evans, a chemistry professor at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He discussed the possible benefits of the nutrient during a meeting of the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology at New Orleans.

Two studies at Bemidji State found that the compound helped promote muscle tissue and decreased body fat, he said. In one study, football players on the same exercise programs took either chromium picolinate or a placebo.

Those taking the chromium picolinate showed an average 42% greater growth in lean body mass and a 22% drop in total body fat, compared to a 1.06% drop for the control group, he said.