Dynamic Chiropractic - April 24, 1992, Volume 10, Issue 09

Page printed from:
http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/10/09/25.html

The Chromium Program


By -- Jeffrey A. Fisher, M.D.

Softcover -- 311 pages
VHS Videotape

Please see pages xx, Parts #P-708, for information on how to order

As some of you may know, my very first patient was Arnold Schwarzenegger. This was because I worked my way through chiropractic college by being the West Coast editor for Weider muscle publications. By the time I was ready to open my office door I had developed a good bodybuilder patient potential. In fact, at least half of my patients were bodybuilders and weightlifters.

Of all the athletes in existence, none are more driven than the serious bodybuilder. This doesn't mean the individual that trains to "stay in shape." What I'm talking about is the person whose life is dedicated to becoming a champion. This means the young woman so sodden with male hormones that her muscular development rivals that of the average male athlete. The woman whose breast flesh has been ground out of existence and replaced with slabs of well-defined pectoral muscle. This means the male bodybuilder so poluted with steroids that he develops tumorous lumps, cardiovascular problems, and testicular atrophy.

One time a prominent bodybuilder of the day was in my office with some minor spinal problems. I asked if he had injured his back in training. He said that he hadn't and that he was making great gains in muscle mass and strength with his new program. He then said that he attributed a great deal of his gains to the steroids he was taking.

When I told him of the side effects of steroids and how this might adversely affect his sexual life permanently, he thought for a moment and finally said, "I'd rather win the "Mr. America" title."

Later I had a friend and colleague call and say that he wanted to commit suicide and hadn't spoken to his wife or children for months. On the advice of an enlightened psychiatrist I ran a six-hour glucose tolerance test on my friend. It indicated that he was a profound hypoglycemic and a change in diet quickly brought him out of depression and into a happy social and professional life.

What do the two preceding incidents have in common? Chromium. If you doubt this and the fact that this vital mineral can increase endurance, lower cholesterol, reduce excess fat, build lean muscle, improve vision, improve gums, reduce skin problems, reduce addiction, have a positive affect on hypoglycemics, and improve sleeping habits, then you must get "The Chromium Program" by Jeffrey A. Fisher, M.D.

Along with the book comes an excellent video that extols the virtues of a particular chromium supplement. The tape demonstrates the value of chromium picolinate particularly for the advancement of athletic performance.

If you have physically active patients, chromium is a vital link in the chain of success. Just showing the videotape should be enough to convince even the skeptic that chromium can replace the use of steroids and in the process save countless athletes from sickness and death.

For your own edification as well as your patients', Dr. Fisher has developed an easy-to-read text. Through its 10 chapters he covers the basic concepts behind the postulation of chromium's great nutritional benefits. Chapter four on, "What Is Chromium and How It Works" is worth the price of the book and tape alone.

Chapters seven and eight deal with specific diets while nine is an exercise program that claims it will put chromium to work.

There are four appendices concerned with chromium resources and its content in foods, a progress program, and a weight training program.

The Chromium Program is an interesting and useful adjunct to your library; it informs with an interesting style about a little known mineral. If you have patients who need to eat, you need this book to help advise them on how to do it better.

After reading it I got hold of a chromium supplement to include in my diet. I don't want to say anything, but I believe this just might have been one of the more muscular reviews I've ever written.

RHT