Abstract: The administration of chromic picolinate, preferably in the form of chromic tripicolinate, as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for controlling various blood serum parameters. In particular, the administration is for controlling blood serum lipid levels, including the lowering of undesirably high blood serum LDL-cholesterol levels and the raising of blood serum HDL-cholesterol levels. Additionally, the adminstration is for controlling desirable high blood serum glucose levels, this being particularly applicable for the treatment of maturity-onset diabetes. Additionally, chromic picolinate, preferably in the form of chromic tripicolinate, is admistered to facilitate uptake of amino acids by skeletal muscle. Thus chromic picolinate can act as an effective anabolic agent.