Chromium is widely distributed in the earth’s crust. In general, food appears to be the major source of intake. The absorption of chromium after oral exposure is relatively low and depends on the oxidation state.
Total body content of chromium is small; less than 6-mg. current interests in chromium is based on the occurrences of unusual glucose tolerance curves that are responsive to chromium. Thus there is suggestive evidence that chromium plays a role in relation to carbohydrates and insulin function.
Chromium helps to prevent and lower high blood pressure. It can also deter diabetes because it works with insulin in the metabolism of blood sugar. This trace mineral helps transport protein where it is needed in your body.
Chromium is stored principally in the kidneys, spleen and testes, with trace amounts found in the heart, lungs, pancreas and brain. The body cannot easily absorb chromium.
Chromium helps the body regulate metabolism, and regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. Chromium helps the body lose weight by stimulating enzymes that metabolize glucose for energy.
It plays an important role in the liver synthesis of fatty acids (burns fat). When the body is deficient in chromium, twice the amount of time is needed for insulin to remove glucose from the blood.
Chromium enhances insulin performance and glucose utilization and helps carry proteins. Chromium works best if taken before meals. Refined sugar causes the body to deplete chromium more rapidly. Strenuous exercise can also deplete chromium levels.
The elderly are unable to store as much chromium in the body as are younger people.
Sources of chromium
Natural sources of chromium are corn oil, cloves, whole grain cereals, meat, and brewer’s yeast. Optimal level can be obtained from dietary sources.
Benefits of chromium
Chromium enhances insulin performance and glucose utilization and helps carry proteins. Chromium works best if taken before meals.
Chromium helps the body regulate metabolism, and regulate insulin and blood sugar levels.
Chromium helps the body lose weight by stimulating enzymes that metabolize glucose for energy.
It plays an important role in the liver synthesis of fatty acids (burns fat).
Chromium helps to prevent and lower high blood pressure. It can also deter diabetes because it works with insulin in the metabolism of blood sugar. This trace mineral helps transport protein where it is needed in your body.
It also helps to improve glucose uptake in elderly people when loss comes as natural result of aging.
It may help to prevent hardening of the arteries.
Deficiency symptoms of chromium
Some of the important deficiency symptoms of chromium are
- Anxiety
- Hyperinsulinism
- Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D)
- Hypoglycemia
- Aortic cholesterol plaque
- Hyperactivity
- Arteriosclerosis
- Impaired growth
- Bi-polar disease
- Infertility, decreased sperm count
- Coronary blood vessel disease
- Obesity
- Depression
- Pre-diabetes
- Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy
- High blood cholesterol
Most people get only about half the level of chromium that nutritionists recommend.
Daily requirement
There is no RDA for chromium. When the body is deficient in chromium, twice the amount of time is needed for insulin to remove glucose from the blood. The refining of starches and carbohydrates robs foods of chromium.